Every time I go to the doctor's office, they have me pee in a cup. That obviously seems like a simple task, but when you are are 8 1/2 months pregnant, this all of a sudden becomes very difficult because you can't see what you are doing!! The last few times I've managed to get a few drips of pee on my hand - yuck! I think they should make those cups bigger or invent some kind of better system when your belly takes over!
So, another funny pee related story. I had to collect my pee for 24 hours for this preeclampsia test. I was literally carrying around this jug of pee...awesome! I had to laugh at the instructions when they say to discard your first morning pee and then begin collecting for 24 hours after that. What does "first morning pee" to a pregnant woman really mean??? Is that anything past midnight or is that more like a normal person so like 7am?? Because I have probably peed 4 times between midnight and 7am!!
Anyway, just had to laugh at these little things.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Pre-E monitoring
I have a scheduled doctor's appt. on Monday, but decided to call my doctor's office today because the swelling in my legs has gotten ridiculous. It has worked it's way from my feet to now all the way up to my thighs. I literally have no ankles and knees. It is totally disgusting. I was hoping I would go in and they would say everything was just fine and I was being my normal worry-wart self, but I wasn't quite that lucky.
They took my blood pressure and it was up. Not to any crazy levels, but definitely up for me and borderline high for the general population. There was no protein in my urine, but they made me take this jug and collect my urine for the next 24 hours and then I have to do some bloodwork.
The did a fetal non stress test where they hooked me up to all these monitors. They said the babies were good and that I was definitely having contractions. The doctor said, "Well good, maybe you'll go into labor on your own" to which I quickly responded, "Well, NOT YET!!!" He said, "You know, you ARE at 35 weeks." I said, "Yeah, but Dr. B (another doctor in the practice) was just telling me she delivered twins this weekend on their due date - 40 weeks." He said, "That's nice, but it's not normal. Most twins come at 36-37 weeks so you better get ready." I don't know why, but I was not ready to hear this!! I obviously knew in my mind that 36-37 weeks was totally in the realm of possibilities and heck - it would even be awesome to make it that far. I guess I have just been so fixated on baking these babies longer. I just want so badly for them to grow big and strong and be healthy when they arrive. Plus my own little selfish reason regarding the move and if they could just wait 2 weeks, we could have all the house stuff wrapped up and they could be in our new house!
Anyway, I have my fingers crossed for my appointment on Monday - that babies have grown, that the urine test and lab work come back ok.
As a sidenote, I do wonder if something is going on because I have become insanely uncomfortable lately. The swelling and then I can hardly stand to lay down because Baby A is up under my ribs and they feel bruised. I started sleeping on the couch because it's more comfy for me to have the back to rest against and less disturbing to my hubby. Another bizarre thing....earlier this week when I was in bed with hubby, he was kind of resting his head on my chest. When we got up, we noticed this wet spot on my t-shirt. He was joking that he must have drooled on me. Well, the next morning, I had a matching "drool" spot on the other side. I am thinking nipple leakage! YIPES!!! The babies kicks have gotten super strong and when Baby A decides to get the hiccups or punch down there, I literally have this reflex to hold it in (like an arm is going to fly out or something!!)
They took my blood pressure and it was up. Not to any crazy levels, but definitely up for me and borderline high for the general population. There was no protein in my urine, but they made me take this jug and collect my urine for the next 24 hours and then I have to do some bloodwork.
The did a fetal non stress test where they hooked me up to all these monitors. They said the babies were good and that I was definitely having contractions. The doctor said, "Well good, maybe you'll go into labor on your own" to which I quickly responded, "Well, NOT YET!!!" He said, "You know, you ARE at 35 weeks." I said, "Yeah, but Dr. B (another doctor in the practice) was just telling me she delivered twins this weekend on their due date - 40 weeks." He said, "That's nice, but it's not normal. Most twins come at 36-37 weeks so you better get ready." I don't know why, but I was not ready to hear this!! I obviously knew in my mind that 36-37 weeks was totally in the realm of possibilities and heck - it would even be awesome to make it that far. I guess I have just been so fixated on baking these babies longer. I just want so badly for them to grow big and strong and be healthy when they arrive. Plus my own little selfish reason regarding the move and if they could just wait 2 weeks, we could have all the house stuff wrapped up and they could be in our new house!
Anyway, I have my fingers crossed for my appointment on Monday - that babies have grown, that the urine test and lab work come back ok.
As a sidenote, I do wonder if something is going on because I have become insanely uncomfortable lately. The swelling and then I can hardly stand to lay down because Baby A is up under my ribs and they feel bruised. I started sleeping on the couch because it's more comfy for me to have the back to rest against and less disturbing to my hubby. Another bizarre thing....earlier this week when I was in bed with hubby, he was kind of resting his head on my chest. When we got up, we noticed this wet spot on my t-shirt. He was joking that he must have drooled on me. Well, the next morning, I had a matching "drool" spot on the other side. I am thinking nipple leakage! YIPES!!! The babies kicks have gotten super strong and when Baby A decides to get the hiccups or punch down there, I literally have this reflex to hold it in (like an arm is going to fly out or something!!)
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
New House, No Cribs and 34 weeks - OH MY!!
I tend to be an organized person...really I am, but you wouldn't know it lately. I am 34 weeks with twins and I literally don't know where I am going to be living when these babies arrive!
We ended up buying that house we were looking at (I can't remember if I already mentioned that). The previous owners moved out at the end of June and we were having this debate of whether we should try and move before the babies come or not. There is a lot of work to be done - new carpet, hard wood, new countertops, appliances, fixtures, painting, etc. etc. and it would be 10 times easier to do the work before our furniture was there (not to mention the dust and paint fumes that I don't really want to be around). My husband had convinced me it just wasn't going to happen, so I finally came to peace that we wouldn't move until the fall. Well, his friend that does house remodeling came to look at the house and said, "we can knock this out in a month no problem." So, with hope in sight, we decided to get back on the "fast track" and try and get things done before the babies arrive. So, I am seriously up to my eyeballs picking out carpet, tile, paint colors and the like. Most women like this stuff....I apparently am not like most women because it just stresses me out! There are SOOO many choices and while I am great at researching and analyzing the pros and cons of all the products, I am terrible at making a decision. I have such a hard time visualizing how something will really look and I am scared I won't like it! Luckily, that's where hubby comes in....the decision maker!
To make matters worse, our cribs are STILL not in. Supposedly they will be here in the next week or two. I'm not holding my breath!
I have everything we don't use every day packed up in the old house. The "nursery" in the old house is basically a room with all the baby stuff (which is fairly organized), but I just haven't gotten to do the proper nesting. I always envisioned I would have this perfect nursery just waiting for the babies and instead I have no cribs, there is no point in decorating the old house when we are moving and the new house isn't ready. EEK! The good news is that everyone tells me that as long as you have the basics (milk, diapers, etc) and the impromptu bassinet or pack n' play if need be, the babies won't even know the difference! I sure hope so because this momma is a mess!!!
On a more positive note, I am glad we are picking out all this stuff for the new house now because I can't imagine trying to choose lighting fixtures with 2 newborns! So even if we don't get to move before they arrive, hopefully the selections will be done and it's just a matter of waiting out the construction. The moving won't be fun, but we'll manage!
Off to meet with a prospective pediatrician!
We ended up buying that house we were looking at (I can't remember if I already mentioned that). The previous owners moved out at the end of June and we were having this debate of whether we should try and move before the babies come or not. There is a lot of work to be done - new carpet, hard wood, new countertops, appliances, fixtures, painting, etc. etc. and it would be 10 times easier to do the work before our furniture was there (not to mention the dust and paint fumes that I don't really want to be around). My husband had convinced me it just wasn't going to happen, so I finally came to peace that we wouldn't move until the fall. Well, his friend that does house remodeling came to look at the house and said, "we can knock this out in a month no problem." So, with hope in sight, we decided to get back on the "fast track" and try and get things done before the babies arrive. So, I am seriously up to my eyeballs picking out carpet, tile, paint colors and the like. Most women like this stuff....I apparently am not like most women because it just stresses me out! There are SOOO many choices and while I am great at researching and analyzing the pros and cons of all the products, I am terrible at making a decision. I have such a hard time visualizing how something will really look and I am scared I won't like it! Luckily, that's where hubby comes in....the decision maker!
To make matters worse, our cribs are STILL not in. Supposedly they will be here in the next week or two. I'm not holding my breath!
I have everything we don't use every day packed up in the old house. The "nursery" in the old house is basically a room with all the baby stuff (which is fairly organized), but I just haven't gotten to do the proper nesting. I always envisioned I would have this perfect nursery just waiting for the babies and instead I have no cribs, there is no point in decorating the old house when we are moving and the new house isn't ready. EEK! The good news is that everyone tells me that as long as you have the basics (milk, diapers, etc) and the impromptu bassinet or pack n' play if need be, the babies won't even know the difference! I sure hope so because this momma is a mess!!!
On a more positive note, I am glad we are picking out all this stuff for the new house now because I can't imagine trying to choose lighting fixtures with 2 newborns! So even if we don't get to move before they arrive, hopefully the selections will be done and it's just a matter of waiting out the construction. The moving won't be fun, but we'll manage!
Off to meet with a prospective pediatrician!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Little Guys
I am 33 weeks today. I went to the doctor yesterday for an ultrasound and growth check and our little guys are measuring a little small. They both weigh right about 4 lbs, but are measuring more like 30 weeks than 33 weeks. The last few appointments they seem to be falling behind. Last time, it was just their arms and legs showing a little short; now it seems they are smaller overall. They are both around the 10th percentile. The doctor doesn't seem concerned (YET). He mentioned that I am petite (5' 2"), have two babies and the fact that they are both the same size is good and probably means nothing is wrong. However, if they dip to the 5th percentile, he would start to wonder what is going on. I go back in 2.5 weeks for another check. I don't know why, but I am really bummed out about this and I can tell I am already starting to blame myself. Is my body not working properly? I feel so disappointed because I have gained over 40 lbs and feel enormous; yet I still have babies that are "behind." In the back of my mind, I wonder if it has something to do with IVF/ICSI and if they are going to have long term growth problems. Why do I immediately fear the worst?
I am trying my best to look at the bright side. I am carrying 8 lbs of baby at 33 weeks and hopefully 4 lbs is enough that they would be ok if anything happened early. The doctor isn't overly concerned, so I shouldn't be either, right?? Easier said than done.
I am on a mission to lots of healthy food and extra protein. I don't know if it will help, but I have to do everything I can to get these babies big and strong and healthy.
I am trying my best to look at the bright side. I am carrying 8 lbs of baby at 33 weeks and hopefully 4 lbs is enough that they would be ok if anything happened early. The doctor isn't overly concerned, so I shouldn't be either, right?? Easier said than done.
I am on a mission to lots of healthy food and extra protein. I don't know if it will help, but I have to do everything I can to get these babies big and strong and healthy.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Baby Shower/ Birth Classes
All is well over here...I keep thinking I'll do a better job about blogging and there never seems to be enough time. I don't know how you guys with little ones do it!
I am hanging in there. The 3rd trimester is kind of kicking my butt. My energy seems to be zapped, my feet hurt and are so swollen. Keeping them up doesn't seem to be helping any longer (so embarrassing and ugly in the summertime!), and my stupid carpal tunnel is still making life difficult. I can't stay in any position for too long because something starts hurting. If I sit in a chair, I feel bruised ribs and a back ache. If I stand up, it helps in the tummy and back area, but my feet hurt within minutes. I know it sounds like I am complaining and maybe I am a teeny bit, but mostly I just want to REMEMBER. I want to remember how everything felt because more than likely I will never get to experience this again. So I am taking it all in...every ache and pain included!!
This past weekend we had my baby shower that my girlfriends threw for me. They traveled from so far to be there. It was awesome!! So great to be back together and see each other (most are college friends) and it was totally a "pinch me" moment as I got ready for the shower and thought to myself, "this is my baby shower." I just never felt like this time would come. I have to admit I still have little thoughts that creep into my mind like, "What happens if something goes terribly wrong and I lose the babies. What will I do with all this baby stuff?" Do I return the gifts to people?" Of course the "stuff" isn't the important part, but I guess the point is the little bit of fear is still there - and I am almost 31 weeks!! To top it all off, there was a storm toward the end of the shower and afterwards a gorgeous double rainbow outside. I remember pleading with God for a sign when I was going through all the infertility treatments and now one came...and it was an amazing one... making me feel like my twins are what was meant to be.
In other news, we started our birth classes this month. They are pretty much every Monday and Thursday. The last one on Monday was pretty good, but the two before that were fairly lame. One thing that has been interesting is to look around the room and see the various types of people in the class. You have a woman that teared up as she introduced herself and her friend that was there to support her because she had to kick her husband out recently. I can't even fathom embarking upon this journey into parenthood alone. Then there was the 15 year old couple, whose parents had to drive them to class because they didn't have a driver's license. To make matters worse, the guy was a total thug - hat on sideways, pants under his butt, attitude - the whole nine yards. My heart ached for every infertile couple as they seemed to be the epitome of the "oops" scenario we could only dream of. There were married and unmarried couples. After looking around the room, it made me realize that everyone in that room had a story of how they got there. I know during the infertility struggles I felt so alone - that there was no one that understood. Maybe no one in that room did experience infertility and loss like I did, but I know for at least a few of them, they are going through their own struggles and it kind of reminded me that we aren't always as alone as we think.
I am hanging in there. The 3rd trimester is kind of kicking my butt. My energy seems to be zapped, my feet hurt and are so swollen. Keeping them up doesn't seem to be helping any longer (so embarrassing and ugly in the summertime!), and my stupid carpal tunnel is still making life difficult. I can't stay in any position for too long because something starts hurting. If I sit in a chair, I feel bruised ribs and a back ache. If I stand up, it helps in the tummy and back area, but my feet hurt within minutes. I know it sounds like I am complaining and maybe I am a teeny bit, but mostly I just want to REMEMBER. I want to remember how everything felt because more than likely I will never get to experience this again. So I am taking it all in...every ache and pain included!!
This past weekend we had my baby shower that my girlfriends threw for me. They traveled from so far to be there. It was awesome!! So great to be back together and see each other (most are college friends) and it was totally a "pinch me" moment as I got ready for the shower and thought to myself, "this is my baby shower." I just never felt like this time would come. I have to admit I still have little thoughts that creep into my mind like, "What happens if something goes terribly wrong and I lose the babies. What will I do with all this baby stuff?" Do I return the gifts to people?" Of course the "stuff" isn't the important part, but I guess the point is the little bit of fear is still there - and I am almost 31 weeks!! To top it all off, there was a storm toward the end of the shower and afterwards a gorgeous double rainbow outside. I remember pleading with God for a sign when I was going through all the infertility treatments and now one came...and it was an amazing one... making me feel like my twins are what was meant to be.
In other news, we started our birth classes this month. They are pretty much every Monday and Thursday. The last one on Monday was pretty good, but the two before that were fairly lame. One thing that has been interesting is to look around the room and see the various types of people in the class. You have a woman that teared up as she introduced herself and her friend that was there to support her because she had to kick her husband out recently. I can't even fathom embarking upon this journey into parenthood alone. Then there was the 15 year old couple, whose parents had to drive them to class because they didn't have a driver's license. To make matters worse, the guy was a total thug - hat on sideways, pants under his butt, attitude - the whole nine yards. My heart ached for every infertile couple as they seemed to be the epitome of the "oops" scenario we could only dream of. There were married and unmarried couples. After looking around the room, it made me realize that everyone in that room had a story of how they got there. I know during the infertility struggles I felt so alone - that there was no one that understood. Maybe no one in that room did experience infertility and loss like I did, but I know for at least a few of them, they are going through their own struggles and it kind of reminded me that we aren't always as alone as we think.
Friday, June 3, 2011
No News is Good News!
I am breathing a major sigh of relief. I did my glucose test last week and they told me "no news is good news" and I didn't get a call this week, so I am taking that as a good sign. I have been fearing the worst with respect to gestational diabetes and preeclampsia because I know I am at high risk and I have heard so many stories of such healthy women developing the condition. After infertility, I guess I just feel like if it could happen, it will happen to me! That's my luck! But, maybe I squeaked by on this one!!
I am at 29 weeks and up about 30-couple lbs. Babies were about 2 lbs 7 oz. at 28 weeks. Baby A was head down and Baby B was breech. I am hoping that Baby B decides to flip. I really am hoping for a vaginal delivery, but I am really fearing delivering Baby A vaginally and then having to do a c-section with Baby B. I just don't think I want to have BOTH types of healing. I guess we'll see what happens these next few weeks until they get "stuck" in their birth positions and then decide from there.
In other news, we bought a house! EEK! It's been on and off during the negotiations (the sellers had some serious financial problems) and we finally closed this week. We have a lot of work we want to do to the house, and we have been back and forth trying to decide if we should rush everything and get in before the babies arrive (which would be ideal), but we finally decided there is no way we can get all the work done in time...so we'll stay put for now and move this fall. So, now that I finally have clarity on where we'll be, I feel like I can start getting my baby things organized a little better. Except one small detail....I called to check the status of our nursery furniture and it is not expected to arrive for another 4-6 weeks!! YIPES! I guess that is what bassinets are for?!!
I am at 29 weeks and up about 30-couple lbs. Babies were about 2 lbs 7 oz. at 28 weeks. Baby A was head down and Baby B was breech. I am hoping that Baby B decides to flip. I really am hoping for a vaginal delivery, but I am really fearing delivering Baby A vaginally and then having to do a c-section with Baby B. I just don't think I want to have BOTH types of healing. I guess we'll see what happens these next few weeks until they get "stuck" in their birth positions and then decide from there.
In other news, we bought a house! EEK! It's been on and off during the negotiations (the sellers had some serious financial problems) and we finally closed this week. We have a lot of work we want to do to the house, and we have been back and forth trying to decide if we should rush everything and get in before the babies arrive (which would be ideal), but we finally decided there is no way we can get all the work done in time...so we'll stay put for now and move this fall. So, now that I finally have clarity on where we'll be, I feel like I can start getting my baby things organized a little better. Except one small detail....I called to check the status of our nursery furniture and it is not expected to arrive for another 4-6 weeks!! YIPES! I guess that is what bassinets are for?!!
Carpal Tunnel
I wrote about some weird body changes recently and I have one more to add to the list! I think I am one of those lucky girls that gets carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy. I'm not 100% sure that is what it is, but the symptoms I am having kind of seem like it. I started noticing that my wrists (on the inside of my hand) seemed really stiff when I woke up in the morning and that I was having trouble grasping small things, like my toothbrush or my razor in the shower. After the early morning, things seemed to improve. I figured maybe it was swelling, kind of like my feet. But this past week, things seem to have gotten worse. The tip of my middle finger and sometimes my pointer finger and/or ring finger is numb...just tingling and uncomfortable. According to Dr. Google, that sounds a lot like carpal tunnel. Luckily I don't have trouble typing (other than it feeling weird to type with numb fingertips), but I am having serious trouble writing with a pen. Thank goodness I did most of my thank you notes from my shower right away!!
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