Still 3cm

It looks like these babies do not want to come out!  Unless I go into labor, it looks like they will be born next Thursday, October 6th. 

Hopefully Friday

I went to the doc today for the usual NST and cervix check.  Cervix is still at a 3.  The doc said to come back on Friday and if there is any change then we will go ahead and have the babies!  I REALLY am hoping for a change so that we can "get things done" as the doc said! ha

Anxiously Awaiting

Brian and I are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our daughters!  Our friends on Facebook are giving us suggestions on how to get them to come out and I put the phone up to my belly today and had my sister tell them to come out!  Brian has been talking to them too.... At this point I know they will be alright when they are on the outside since tomorrow I will be 37 weeks (which is considered full term.) 

I have to say that generally speaking I have really enjoyed being pregnant.  It is a very cool experience being able to feel babies growing and wiggling around.  I'm glad that I also have this blog to document the pregnancy since I don't know if I will be pregnant again.  It was emotionally and physically demanding just to get pregnant this time and I guess we will just see what the future holds as far as other pregnancies. 

Now that I am at the end of this, I am just ready to get them OUT!  I would really enjoy brushing my teeth without dribbling toothpaste on myself every day since I can't get close enough to the sink. =)  I also really want to be able to wear some shoes other than my one pair of flip-flops and a pair of slippers. My feet are so big that Brian and I joke that I should get one of those Fred Flinstone cars to drive! ha!  My mom was even making fun of how big my feet were when she was here.... Thanks a lot Mom! 

Oh well, I know all of those silly things are temporary and very soon I will be able to do all of the stuff I did before.  I am just very thankful that I have been able to carry the girls this far along so that they have the best chance on the outside! 

36w3d belly! And updates

Brian and I got maternity pictures taken last week, but the photographer hasn't sent the CD to us yet.  I'm sure there will be some cute pictures there, but I had a request for a new belly picture from my sister so here it is!

 

I think its funny that this isn't even a maternity shirt.... that's why it looks a little odd.  Its supposed to be a longer shirt that is kinda flowey at the bottom but obviously right now that's not the case.  All of my maternity shirts are currently too short so I pretty much walk around with a little bit of my belly hanging out.  There's no point in buying anything new now and I'm not working so who cares if the doc or the grocery store workers see my belly, right?



On the labor front there is still nothing super new.  I guess some of our friends have bets out about when I will deliver.  I think its kinda cute!  Its so nice that our friends are so excited for us!  I know my mom and sister are super excited too and they really hope the girls are here before they come on Oct. 5th. 

I woke up last night a few times with some contractions but they were not consistent and they eventually went away.  I was really hoping that was going to be "it" but sadly it wasn't. 

Today I plan on getting a few more things done.... Brian and I put together the swings today and I have another load or two of baby laundry to finish up.  It wouldn't be the end of the world if I didn't get it done, but I'm sure it will be much easier to get it done now rather than when the girls are here. 

This has been such a long road and I honestly can't believe they are almost here!  We started seeing the RE in July of 2009 and all of that craziness feels so much like the past.  It has, however, changed my life forever.  I have met some amazing women through this journey of infertility on message boards and through blogs- some of which that are still struggling to create their families.  So even though it seems I have been through very crazy times, I did ultimately have success.  Brian and I are very very lucky... I guess that's the only way to put it. 

This Weekend????

Its funny, the nurse that called me today said, "The sure way to go into labor is to schedule your c-section!"  About a half hour after I got off the phone with her I started having some crazy weird pain in my belly.  It didn't feel like contractions so I just dealt with it for a while.  After about two hours Brian made me call the doc.  Of course at this point he is going to tell me to come in and get checked out.... which I did. But, I hadn't packed my bag yet so I did that super fast first!

Anyways, they put on the monitors and I only had a couple of contractions during the 30 or so minutes that I was on the monitor.  The babies looked great and the doc didn't really know what the pain was from.  He said it was probably just the babies pushing on stuff because they are so high up.  He proceeded to check my cervix which is now 3cm (and it was only 2cm on Wednesday.) 

He said he obviously doesn't have a crystal ball but he thought they might come this weekend or early next week!  Wahoo!

C-Section Scheduled!

When I was at the doctor on Wednesday he really didn't think that I would make it until next week, but decided to schedule the c-section just in case anyways.  He told me that they cannot schedule c-sections before 38 weeks unless they check for lung maturity so mine will be for 38w1d on October 6th!  I really hope that I don't have to wait another two weeks..... I feel like they will come before then but who really knows.  I guess all I can do at this point is find some bumpy dirt roads to drive on and walk around the block 800x to hopefully get this party started! =)

Time to Get Things DONE!

From now on every time we go to a doctor's appointment, I plan on being ready to go straight to the hospital!  Over the last couple of days I have gathered the things that I need to pack in my "hospital bag."  I had to buy duplicates of some things... its not like I am going on a trip and know exactly when I am going so I can just grab the everyday things that I need.  I have to actually keep the stuff in the bag and be ready to grab and go when the time has come! 

I still haven't figured out which clothes I am going to pack for the girls to wear home, but I am thinking something simple like cute matching sleepers.  I'm not sure why, but I guess I just don't see the importance of what they wear to go home.  We will most likely be the only ones that see them right away when they get home and they will probably get those outfits dirty within an hour of actually being home!  We don't have any family in town that will be rushing over and I don't know which friends are planning on stopping by. 

Ok, well the appointment is in two hours so I better get all of those things in a bag ASAP! (Just in case!)

No Babies Yet!

I went in to the doc on Wednesday and I am still only 2cm dilated and still have 2cm of length of my cervix left.  Brian went to Minnesota for his best friend's wedding and for his brother's wedding.  I have to admit, I was a little nervous because I was having a ton of contractions on Thursday..... but I took some meds and they went away.  While Brian was gone my mom came to visit!  It was really nice to have her here just in case I went into labor.  I certainly would not have liked to be home alone and have to go to the hospital by myself!  That would have just been sad. 

Friday was my last day of work until January.  My co workers threw me a baby shower on Friday so that was a nice way to have my last day! My other school threw me a shower on Wednesday and that was my last day there too!  I received lots of super cute stuff!  These are going to be some pretty spoiled babies!  Their nursery is getting so full!

Sunday we had maternity pictures taken.  I am not used to being "in the spotlight" so that was a little strange, but I think we got some really cute pictures.  A friend recommended the woman who took the pictures and from what I saw, they turned out very nice.  She gave us some ideas and also asked us what we really were wanting from the photo shoot.  She was very patient and willing to entertain some of the ideas that Brian had.  She was quite affordable too!  She is going to send us a CD of the pictures in the mail in about a week.  When she does, I will post a couple here!

I go back to the doctor on Wednesday.  I have been having a lot of contractions so we will see if things are progressing or if they are the same.  I will be 36 weeks on Wed. so I feel like the babies are probably pretty safe at this point from the NICU.  (I am hoping anyways.)  I am getting very anxious to see them and to tell everyone their names!! Brian and I are the only people that know the names and I honestly think it is making people cranky.  But, we wanted to keep something for a surprise!

Two Days of WORK!

After this week's events, I have decided to start my maternity leave about a week early!  When I was at the doctor's office yesterday the doc said that he totally supported my decision to leave work a little earlier than planned if that was what I chose to do.  After giving it a lot of thought I really think that getting off of my feet might keep the babies in a little longer which will be good for them in the long run. 

As of today my school district still has not found me a long term sub.  I guess they have a prospect that is going to talk to the superintendent tomorrow so hopefully that person will work out.  The prospect doesn't speak Spanish, but I don't really know what I can do about that at this point.  I will just be happy knowing that there will be someone there.

Back to the doc tomorrow! I really hope that I am not dilated more than I was on Monday so that Brian can go back to MN for the weddings. 

2cm dilated!

Yup, I guess its a 2-post day!  I suppose there is a lot going on right now.

Today was the weekly NST (non-stress test) and visit with the doc.  While I was hooked up to the monitors I had like 5 contractions in about 30 minutes.  These contractions were actually pretty painful too! They weren't like oh my gosh I am going to die contractions but they definitely didn't feel good.  After the doc saw this he decided to check my cervix..... A week and a half ago it was still closed and 3cm LONG.  Today it was 2cm dilated!  I must admit, the exam was not super fun and did NOT feel awesome.  I guess I wasn't expecting that. 

The verdict is that we could have babies tomorrow.... or it could be another 2 weeks.  But, for sure I will not be making it to 38 weeks.  The doc said that most babies that are born at 5lbs or bigger will go home with mom and dad..... so I'm glad that they are big!  He also said that if I start to labor that I shouldn't eat anything because I will be getting a C-section (Baby A's butt is still right by my cervix.) 

All I can say is WOAH! Babies are coming!! =D

Super Stressed

I am supposed to be taking it easy and trying to make work not so stressful.  But, I have to admit that it hasn't been easy. 

I teach Spanish in a mountain town about a half hour away from Denver.  I didn't think it would be so difficult to find a long term sub being that lots of people speak Spanish in the Denver area and I'm assuming there are lots of Spanish teachers that didn't get jobs for this school year.  Well, here we are, about a week and a half out from when my maternity leave starts and they still haven't found anybody to fill in for me.  I guess they had a prospect that they were supposed to interview on Friday, but the candidate didn't show up for the interview.  As far as I know that person was the only lead. 

When it comes to school, I am an over planner.  I write super detailed sub plans and like for things to be very organized.  I would really like to know who is going to be my sub and if he/she speaks Spanish or not.  If the person does not speak Spanish I will plan very different activities than if that person does speak Spanish.  Ugh. 

Belly Cast

Since I've been having all of these "false alarm" contractions it made me realize that one of these days they could be the real thing! 

Brian and I bought a belly cast kit a couple weeks ago and today seemed like the right time to do it!  It is basically a kit that comes with these strips that you get wet and they turn into hard plaster.  It feels like I will never forget how big my belly is right now, but I'm sure those memories will disappear as time goes on.  I don't know if I will ever be pregnant again so I didn't want to waste the opportunity to "cast" my huge twin belly!  It was pretty messy, but in the end it will be pretty cool!

Along the same lines, I really wanted to have maternity pictures taken.  We have been talking about it for months and finally decided to set it up.  The only time available was next Sunday at noon.  Brian will be in Minneapolis from Thurs-Sun morning and my mom is flying out here to spend some time with me while Brian is away.  I was really nervous about being home alone so close to the due date and am really happy that my mom will be here with me!  So, my mom will be here when we are getting the pictures taken but I don't think she will mind.  It should be fun!  Maybe granny will even make it in one of the pictures =)  Ha! I just called my mom granny.  That's so strange.

34w3d belly pic!

More Contractions

It seems to me that these babies do not like my uterus anymore.  Last weekend they scared the crap out of me and this weekend is no different!

This morning Brian and I didn't do too terribly much.... We went to a breastfeeding class from 9-12 but it was pretty low key as we were sitting there and just listening pretty much the whole time.  The class was at the hospital that I will be delivering at and Brian actually saw our doctor walk by the conference room that we were in. 

Anyways, during the class I had a contraction.  I didn't really think much of it because it was just one.  After the class we went out for lunch and got some super yummy Mongolian BBQ. I don't remember if I had any contractions there or not.

On our way back home we decided to stop at Target and pick up a few groceries since we were already out and about.  As we were walking around Target I had multiple contractions!  They got so bad that we had to shorten our trip and go home.  Brian wanted me to call the doc right when we got home but I decided to drink some water and rest for a while before calling.  While resting I had 4 contractions in 45 min! That's when Brian made me call. 

The doc called me back a few minutes later and told me to take the terbutaline, wait 30 min and then count contractions for an hour after that.  If I have 5 or more in that hour I should call him back.  Well, I have about 10 min left to wait until my 30 min is up and then I guess we will see what happens!  Hopefully things will settle down.  Thankfully I have my weekly checkup on Monday!

33w2d ultrasound

Last Friday (before all of the craziness began) I had what may be my last ultrasound!!  I'm sure they might do one at the hospital when we go in to deliver, but I probably won't care as much about having pictures of the babies inside when I will be seeing them super soon!

Everything looked right on track with the babies! Baby A was measuring about 4lbs 13oz and Baby B was measuring 5lbs 6oz.  The tech seemed surprised that they were so big! I think baby A was in the 46th percentile for a singleton (and 50 is average) so for twins that's pretty good!  I was a little concerned that their weights are getting further and further apart but the doc said that their difference is perfectly normal. 

Baby A has been breech since about 20 weeks and Baby B has been head down for a while.  I didn't think that they had flipped and I was right.  Baby A's butt is literally right against my cervix which means that there is 0% chance of having a vaginal delivery.  I know a c-section isn't ideal, but I need to do whats best for the babies. 

I go in tomorrow for a non-stress test (NST) and follow up with the doctor.  I'm glad that I had made this appointment for Tuesday because if I wouldn't have I would have been going in anyways since I was in L&D this weekend.  I only got 5 pictures from the ultrasound but four of them are cute face pictures! The fifth one is a crotch shot of Baby B. I'm sure the girls will love having ultrasound pictures of their privates when they get older! LOL

First trip to Labor & Delivery

The last three weeks have been rough with being on my feet all day for work.  You would think that I would take it easy on the weekends but I can't seem to figure that one out either.

For the long weekend we had a nice surprise of Jeni and her new husband Brian visiting from Iowa.  They called about a week ago and asked if they could come visit and of course we were of course thrilled that they were coming!  When we have company in town we like to do tourist things and this trip was no different.  Yesterday was a beautiful day so we decided to spend it at the zoo.  I figured that if I can walk around work all day then I can walk around the zoo for a couple of hours.  Boy was I wrong!   I tried to sit and rest when I had the chance, but by the end of the day I was exhausted. 

We left the zoo at about 4pm and something just didn't feel right.  My belly was hurting and I had the odd feeling that I was leaking amniotic fluid.  We went home before calling the doctor because both of our phones were pretty much dead.  The last thing I wanted was to call the on call doc and have the phone cut out.

I called the on call doc and it wasn't someone I was familiar with.  She was covering for my doc or something this weekend... I'm guessing he was out of town.  Anyways, she said that I could wait it out and see if things changed or I could just go to L&D and get checked out.  I'm not one to really be good at "waiting" so I decided it was better to get checked out than just sit at home and worry. 

We got to the hospital about 6 and checked in..... it was super easy and I am soooo glad that I pre-registered.  It saved lots of time and hastle.  We went up to L&D and got hooked up to the little round monitor things that measure the babies heart rates and a thingey that shows contractions.  They also did a test to see if I was leaking amniotic fluid or not (which I wasn't thank goodness.)  The babies were fine, but there was one problem.... I was having contractions!  Every time I talk to the doc he says to call if I have more than 4 in one hour or if they become "regular."  The problem with a first pregnancy is that I didn't really know what a contraction felt like. 

As soon as I saw one on the monitor I realized that I have been feeling them for a while now.  I thought it was just the babies moving around and pushing themselves up against my ribs but I was sure wrong.  I kind of feel like an idiot now for not knowing what one was! But, now I do so its all good.  Ok, so while I was there I had like 3 contractions in a 30 minute period.  There were some more too I think.... I just wasn't watching the monitor thingey. 

Needless to say, the other on call doc (who was on call from 7pm on) didn't want me sent home with this many contractions.  I was administered a shot of terbutaline to stop the contractions and then got monitored for another 30 minutes or so to make sure that they were gone.  By this time Brian and I were super exhausted.  We hadn't eaten since lunch time and had spent the day walking around the zoo.  We finally got sent home with some meds and instructions to follow up with the regular OB doctor.  The pills were more of the same stuff that was in the shot.... I am supposed to take a pill if I have more than 4 contractions in an hour and then call the doc.  Also, I already had an appointment for Tuesday with the doc so that just happened to work out well. 

Lets hope for no more scary visits to L&D and that the babies keep cooking another 3 weeks at least!