I am so happy that we are all home and healthy and we are trying to figure out routines and settle into a family of 6....
Today Brian and I took the boys to a doctor's appointment. They checked weights, etc.
Todays weights were:
Elliott: 7lbs 9oz
Oliver 6lbs 0 oz
They lost a lot of weight in the hospital (about 9% each) but that discussion is for another day....
As I was making their appointments for the 2 week check I realized that I had to think about who was going to be home, etc. because I couldn't just jump in the car and take them to their appointment by myself. I had to make sure someone was home to watch the girls too! It took me a second to realize that when I was making the appointment... lol. We still have yet to get a bigger vehicle too, so I don't even have a way to take all of us somewhere if I had to. I am very sad to have to trade in my SUV that I love so dearly, but I guess I will have to get some type of van. We looked into a bigger SUV, but they are too high off the ground so Brian can't easily get into them. There are SUVs with 3rd row seating, but the trunk space is just abysmal. There would be no room for Brian's chair, a stroller (or two), a diaper bag and whatever else we might need. I really don't like the idea of a mini van, but I don't see any other options at this point really.
We haven't been "home alone" yet without help, and won't be for a little while so that's a good thing. When that happens I'm sure we will just be in survival mode until we get a routine established!
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Sunday, February 24, 2013
The boys are here! :)
Elliott and Oliver are here!
They were born on 2/22. Elliott Alexander was born at 4:26am weighing 7lbs 14oz. He was 20 3/4 inches and Oliver David at 4:39am weighing. 6lbs 3oz 19 1/4 inches via VBAC. It was a rough labor, but they are here and that's all that matters! :)
We are back at home as of today at about 4pm. More updates and the story of their birth to come....
They were born on 2/22. Elliott Alexander was born at 4:26am weighing 7lbs 14oz. He was 20 3/4 inches and Oliver David at 4:39am weighing. 6lbs 3oz 19 1/4 inches via VBAC. It was a rough labor, but they are here and that's all that matters! :)
We are back at home as of today at about 4pm. More updates and the story of their birth to come....
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Last day Pregnant! (And Maternity Pics)
Its funny to think that this is the last full day I will be pregnant! (unless of course the induction takes a long long time). I feel like I just wrote a post like this before I had the girls because I wondered if I would ever be pregnant again. Obviously, I was fortunate enough to be able to have more kids! This time, I really don't know if I will be pregnant again. I hope so, but who knows. As of right now, there are no plans to have more kids in the immediate future. We have 3 embryos on ice that I do plan to use later on... but probably not until the girls are in school. I can't imagine having 5 (or 6!) kids at home under the age of 5. That just might send me to the nut house. :)
It is a bittersweet thing to give birth tomorrow. I am so so so excited to meet my little boys (and share their names with everyone!!) but I am also a little sad to get rid of my pregnant belly that I have carried around for 9 months. People always ask me if I'm just miserable... and really I'm not. My body failed me so much trying to get pregnant that I think its making up for itself by allowing me to have successful (and fairly uneventful) twin pregnancies. I know so many women that just whine and complain about being pregnant with multiples.. how hard it is and how they just want the babies out. Well, I too want the babies out but I also want them to be healthy and strong so they can come home with mommy from the hospital.
I am lucky that my back doesn't hurt, my feet aren't really that swollen, and I didn't really gain weight in any other area than my belly. I would imagine that in about 3 weeks time I will be back down to my pre-pregnancy weight and my belly will just be a distant memory. I will miss the look on people's faces when they ask, "When are you due?" And I would say mid-March. They looked at me and asked if it was my first and I would say, "No, these are my 2nd set of twins." The look on their faces were just priceless!! Then, they would ask, "How old are your other twins." And I would say, "16 months" and they just wouldn't even know what to say. Some of my friends loved going out with me just to see people's reactions because it was all too funny. I guess I will prepare myself now for the, "Are they quadruplets??" and the "Do twins run in your family??" question even more often. I really need to come up with some witty responses because I get tired of feeling like I need to explain myself.
In just 18 hours I will be at the hospital getting checked in and hooked up to an IV with the wonderful pitocin in it. I am really excited for the opportunity that my doctor is giving me to try and VBAC. I trust him and his judgement and if anything goes south then I will obviously get another c-section. But, if I don't try for a vaginal birth now, then I know my chances of ever having one are gone. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous... especially since the boys' heads were measuring 38 weeks when they were only 34! But, I'm sticking with my plan and that's all there is to it.
I got maternity pictures taken when I was 35 weeks and 3 days. I took the maternity pics when I was 35 weeks and 4 days with the girls... so feel free to go back and find that post if you would like to compare bellies :) I think the pics turned out pretty great!!!
I will see you all on the other side as a mommy of 4!!!
It is a bittersweet thing to give birth tomorrow. I am so so so excited to meet my little boys (and share their names with everyone!!) but I am also a little sad to get rid of my pregnant belly that I have carried around for 9 months. People always ask me if I'm just miserable... and really I'm not. My body failed me so much trying to get pregnant that I think its making up for itself by allowing me to have successful (and fairly uneventful) twin pregnancies. I know so many women that just whine and complain about being pregnant with multiples.. how hard it is and how they just want the babies out. Well, I too want the babies out but I also want them to be healthy and strong so they can come home with mommy from the hospital.
I am lucky that my back doesn't hurt, my feet aren't really that swollen, and I didn't really gain weight in any other area than my belly. I would imagine that in about 3 weeks time I will be back down to my pre-pregnancy weight and my belly will just be a distant memory. I will miss the look on people's faces when they ask, "When are you due?" And I would say mid-March. They looked at me and asked if it was my first and I would say, "No, these are my 2nd set of twins." The look on their faces were just priceless!! Then, they would ask, "How old are your other twins." And I would say, "16 months" and they just wouldn't even know what to say. Some of my friends loved going out with me just to see people's reactions because it was all too funny. I guess I will prepare myself now for the, "Are they quadruplets??" and the "Do twins run in your family??" question even more often. I really need to come up with some witty responses because I get tired of feeling like I need to explain myself.
In just 18 hours I will be at the hospital getting checked in and hooked up to an IV with the wonderful pitocin in it. I am really excited for the opportunity that my doctor is giving me to try and VBAC. I trust him and his judgement and if anything goes south then I will obviously get another c-section. But, if I don't try for a vaginal birth now, then I know my chances of ever having one are gone. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous... especially since the boys' heads were measuring 38 weeks when they were only 34! But, I'm sticking with my plan and that's all there is to it.
I got maternity pictures taken when I was 35 weeks and 3 days. I took the maternity pics when I was 35 weeks and 4 days with the girls... so feel free to go back and find that post if you would like to compare bellies :) I think the pics turned out pretty great!!!
I will see you all on the other side as a mommy of 4!!!
Family Photo
Mama and Evy
Mama and Charlotte
Daddy and Mama
Char and Evy
Evy, Mama and Char
Monday, February 18, 2013
Last Appointment before the Big Day!!
I had my last prenatal appointment today before the big day!! (Unless of course they come before then!!) I did my usual NST and the boys cooperated well. I was only on there for about 30 minutes and they seemed to be doing just fine.
After I got unhooked from the NST, I had to wait an hour for the doctor... yep a whole hour. They told me he was running behind, but that's quite the understatement!! He checked my cervix and it "might" be at 1cm, but was definitely not a 2 or 3. My cervix is "way back there" and he said he wasn't going to torture me by really trying to check because I have an induction set for Thursday anyways. Which, by the way, he said could take DAYS. Really? Days??? I guess I better beef up my suitcase with some magazines, a book... something. I'm bringing my computer too so I will throw in a couple movies or something I guess to watch as well.
On a side note, the Doc that I don't really care for came to check me for the NST today. I told her about the induction and she said it was pretty "Gutsy" for Dr. B. (my doc) to be doing that. I really didn't appreciate her opinion on the matter because she seems to be less experienced and well, she honestly scares the crap outta me when she says stuff like that!! She's also the one who tried to convince me months ago that I shouldn't have another c-section because future pregnancies (if there are any) could rupture my uterus causing an emergency hysterectomy or death. But, she also is now telling me that another C might be the way to go. So I just don't know about her... I trust my doctor and my own instincts. If something isn't going right, then a c-section it will be. I know that ultimately I need to do what's going to be best for myself and the boys!
After I got unhooked from the NST, I had to wait an hour for the doctor... yep a whole hour. They told me he was running behind, but that's quite the understatement!! He checked my cervix and it "might" be at 1cm, but was definitely not a 2 or 3. My cervix is "way back there" and he said he wasn't going to torture me by really trying to check because I have an induction set for Thursday anyways. Which, by the way, he said could take DAYS. Really? Days??? I guess I better beef up my suitcase with some magazines, a book... something. I'm bringing my computer too so I will throw in a couple movies or something I guess to watch as well.
On a side note, the Doc that I don't really care for came to check me for the NST today. I told her about the induction and she said it was pretty "Gutsy" for Dr. B. (my doc) to be doing that. I really didn't appreciate her opinion on the matter because she seems to be less experienced and well, she honestly scares the crap outta me when she says stuff like that!! She's also the one who tried to convince me months ago that I shouldn't have another c-section because future pregnancies (if there are any) could rupture my uterus causing an emergency hysterectomy or death. But, she also is now telling me that another C might be the way to go. So I just don't know about her... I trust my doctor and my own instincts. If something isn't going right, then a c-section it will be. I know that ultimately I need to do what's going to be best for myself and the boys!
Friday, February 15, 2013
Eviction- February 21st!
I went to my weekly OB appointment yesterday and have now scheduled an eviction (induction) for the boys. I got my cervix checked and it is still closed and not dilated at all! I think I talked about this in my last post, but an induction is not the best possible situation for trying a VBAC. The doctor said that he is willing to try an induction with pitocin and if I'm not dilating or the boys are not tolerating the contractions then I will have to have another c-section. I'm really okay with whatever happens... because I just want my two healthy boys here but I am also happy that my doc is okay with giving the induction a chance. He said its about 70/30 in favor of the VBAC so that gives me some hope. He still did say that it would be good if I could go into labor on my own so tomorrow I am going to go walk IKEA and see if I can get things going on my own. I did the same with the girls and it didn't work and I was already dilated at that point so I'm not super hopeful but... but its worth a try... and they have really good meatballs there!
Today I went and met with someone at the hospital from the "Birthday wishes" program. They basically have a sheet that you fill out that says everything that you are expecting during the birthing process. Some of the questions are like Epidural, yes or no? Pacifiers? Breastfeeding? Donor milk or formula (if medically necessary?) Circumcision? Visitors right after birth? Who can be in the delivery room?
I also requested one of their "big" postpartum rooms if one is available. Last time, there was hardly room for Brian and both of the bassinets with the babies in them! They moved us to a larger room for our last day, and I am hoping we can just have one from the beginning.
I found it very interesting that they give you FREE donor breastmilk if the baby needs to be supplemented and you aren't making enough milk. The lady I met with said that they won't give it to you if you are just choosing not to pump/breastfeed or just want to sleep all night instead of nursing the baby during the night. There is a milk bank in town that they get it from where the milk is tested and pasteurized. I really hope I can just make enough for them and not have to worry about it... so we will see. She also said that babies born around the 37 week mark often have trouble nursing because they are just developing that sucking reflex. I'm hopeful that they will do okay :)
On my way up to meet the woman today, I ran into a NICU nurse. I told her that I was 36 weeks with twins and she thought it was miraculous that I was still walking around! I'm sure they are used to only seeing teeny tiny twins and she seemed happy to know that I probably wouldn't be seeing her.
Today I went and met with someone at the hospital from the "Birthday wishes" program. They basically have a sheet that you fill out that says everything that you are expecting during the birthing process. Some of the questions are like Epidural, yes or no? Pacifiers? Breastfeeding? Donor milk or formula (if medically necessary?) Circumcision? Visitors right after birth? Who can be in the delivery room?
I also requested one of their "big" postpartum rooms if one is available. Last time, there was hardly room for Brian and both of the bassinets with the babies in them! They moved us to a larger room for our last day, and I am hoping we can just have one from the beginning.
I found it very interesting that they give you FREE donor breastmilk if the baby needs to be supplemented and you aren't making enough milk. The lady I met with said that they won't give it to you if you are just choosing not to pump/breastfeed or just want to sleep all night instead of nursing the baby during the night. There is a milk bank in town that they get it from where the milk is tested and pasteurized. I really hope I can just make enough for them and not have to worry about it... so we will see. She also said that babies born around the 37 week mark often have trouble nursing because they are just developing that sucking reflex. I'm hopeful that they will do okay :)
On my way up to meet the woman today, I ran into a NICU nurse. I told her that I was 36 weeks with twins and she thought it was miraculous that I was still walking around! I'm sure they are used to only seeing teeny tiny twins and she seemed happy to know that I probably wouldn't be seeing her.
36 weeks 1 day taken yesterday on Valentine's Day!
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Babies next week (or before)!
My doctor called me this evening to inform me that I do in fact have cholestasis of pregnancy (aka that crazy itchy thing due to a liver thing.)
What does that mean you ask? Well, NSTs 2x/week (but I am 36 weeks today and have NST tomorrow so not sure if I will have 2 next week or not.) and delivering at 37 weeks instead of 38.
Also, depending on things, it could mean that the VBAC is out. Pretty much my only chance of a VBAC at this point really depends on what my cervix is doing and if I go into labor on my own. If I have to be induced completely and my cervix is not dilated then it will have to be another c-section. With an induction the contractions come on too hard and strong and the chance of uterine rupture goes up a lot. I asked about the cervadil that is used to soften the cervix, but that causes the scar to soften so that's out too.
I asked the doc if I should walk around the block 10x and he said, Yep, get walkin! He also said to try castor oil (1tsp) but he doesn't usually recommend that because it makes everything contract. I've heard it can make you sick... and that sounds like no fun.
I go in tomorrow for my weekly NST and cervix check with the doc so I guess we will see what's happening tomorrow afternoon. In the morning I think I am going to run to the store (perhaps literally!??) to get a few things for my hospital bag and get that packed.
I feel like I have a million things to do! Tonight Brian and I wrote out the girls' general daily schedule for the person that's going to be watching them during the day while we are at the hospital. Our nanny is most likely going to be that person, but there are a couple of conflicts in the schedule where she is at class, etc.
Did I also mention that I am nervous as heck!? Not sure why, because I am ready to meet these boys but I think that having an official "end date" to this pregnancy is just surreal.
What does that mean you ask? Well, NSTs 2x/week (but I am 36 weeks today and have NST tomorrow so not sure if I will have 2 next week or not.) and delivering at 37 weeks instead of 38.
Also, depending on things, it could mean that the VBAC is out. Pretty much my only chance of a VBAC at this point really depends on what my cervix is doing and if I go into labor on my own. If I have to be induced completely and my cervix is not dilated then it will have to be another c-section. With an induction the contractions come on too hard and strong and the chance of uterine rupture goes up a lot. I asked about the cervadil that is used to soften the cervix, but that causes the scar to soften so that's out too.
I asked the doc if I should walk around the block 10x and he said, Yep, get walkin! He also said to try castor oil (1tsp) but he doesn't usually recommend that because it makes everything contract. I've heard it can make you sick... and that sounds like no fun.
I go in tomorrow for my weekly NST and cervix check with the doc so I guess we will see what's happening tomorrow afternoon. In the morning I think I am going to run to the store (perhaps literally!??) to get a few things for my hospital bag and get that packed.
I feel like I have a million things to do! Tonight Brian and I wrote out the girls' general daily schedule for the person that's going to be watching them during the day while we are at the hospital. Our nanny is most likely going to be that person, but there are a couple of conflicts in the schedule where she is at class, etc.
Did I also mention that I am nervous as heck!? Not sure why, because I am ready to meet these boys but I think that having an official "end date" to this pregnancy is just surreal.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Its the little things...
Its the little cute things that the girls do that I fear I will forget about!!
Evy calls everything a bear. It could be a book, or whatever but if she doesn't know the name of it or can't say it then she calls it a bear.
Today I asked her, "Evy, what's in mama's tummy?" Her reply was, "Its a bear!"
I also asked the girls who made stinky in their pants today and Evy said, "Its the dog!" Blaming the dog already for bad smells. hmmm. I checked their pants and it turns out that neither had anything in their pants so it must have been the dog! :D
Charlotte doesn't say a lot, but she is always listening and comprehends what you are talking about. She knows what a shoe is and will try and put it on (literally on top of) my foot or her foot if you ask her to.
Evy loves to say "washy washy" and wash different things. If you give her (or Char for that matter) a wet towel after eating and say washy washy, they will now wash their hands and face! Its great!! They also took the towel into the living room today and were wiping down the floor and wiping off the table. Evy said "Washy washy" while doing it.
Char is completely attached to her blanket!
Evy would not eat dinner tonight without her bear. Brian took it away and she cried for like 5 minutes! I finally gave it back to her and she was happy as a clam. Sometimes you just have to give in... What's the harm in eating with a bear? I can always wash it.
Both girls just LOVE petting the cat and the dog. We have been working on petting the dog/cat/whoever "nice" so hopefully they will be nice to their brothers too. Evy says kitty in the cutest way she says ki-tty.
They love the song "The wheels on the bus." They have a toy bus that plays music and it gets Evy dancing every time!
Dr. Seuss books have been in high demand lately too. They like to bring you books, sit on your lap, and read a few pages. Then they want down, and up, and down, and up again.
Oh, and how could I forget? I think they have a shoe obsession already... They like to dump their shoes out and just sit and play with them. Hmmm.. I wonder who they get that from? :)
Evy calls everything a bear. It could be a book, or whatever but if she doesn't know the name of it or can't say it then she calls it a bear.
Today I asked her, "Evy, what's in mama's tummy?" Her reply was, "Its a bear!"
I also asked the girls who made stinky in their pants today and Evy said, "Its the dog!" Blaming the dog already for bad smells. hmmm. I checked their pants and it turns out that neither had anything in their pants so it must have been the dog! :D
Charlotte doesn't say a lot, but she is always listening and comprehends what you are talking about. She knows what a shoe is and will try and put it on (literally on top of) my foot or her foot if you ask her to.
Evy loves to say "washy washy" and wash different things. If you give her (or Char for that matter) a wet towel after eating and say washy washy, they will now wash their hands and face! Its great!! They also took the towel into the living room today and were wiping down the floor and wiping off the table. Evy said "Washy washy" while doing it.
Char is completely attached to her blanket!
Evy would not eat dinner tonight without her bear. Brian took it away and she cried for like 5 minutes! I finally gave it back to her and she was happy as a clam. Sometimes you just have to give in... What's the harm in eating with a bear? I can always wash it.
Both girls just LOVE petting the cat and the dog. We have been working on petting the dog/cat/whoever "nice" so hopefully they will be nice to their brothers too. Evy says kitty in the cutest way she says ki-tty.
They love the song "The wheels on the bus." They have a toy bus that plays music and it gets Evy dancing every time!
Dr. Seuss books have been in high demand lately too. They like to bring you books, sit on your lap, and read a few pages. Then they want down, and up, and down, and up again.
Oh, and how could I forget? I think they have a shoe obsession already... They like to dump their shoes out and just sit and play with them. Hmmm.. I wonder who they get that from? :)
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Growth Scan 34w 2d (last week) and other updates...
I just updated the 30 to 33 week post with ultrasound pictures, so if you want to see those check it out!! There is a really cute profile pic of baby A that looks just like his sister :)
I went in for my final growth scan last week! I was 34 weeks and 2 days. The boys were measuring right on track! A was 5lbs 13oz and B was 5lbs 11oz! They are big boys already... I can't believe it! I believe they were somewhere in the 55-65th percentile. From here on out they will grow about a half pound each week so if I go to 38 weeks they could be close to 8lbs each!! Holy Moly!! Oh and how could I forget? Both boys are HEAD DOWN!! :D
Last Saturday I went out to dinner with 3 other twin mamas that have twins about the same age as the girls. We went downtown to the Cheese.cake Factory and took a carriage ride afterwards. It was so much fun!! We all joked about how we got all dolled up to go on a date without our husbands! I got a lot of grief from my friends on FB because I was leaving the house, but I figure sitting in the car, at dinner and in a carriage is the same as sitting at home on my couch, right?!? I just needed to get out! I'm not used to just hanging out at home all day and doing nothing.
Saturday night I woke up with some crazy intense pain in one of my breasts. It hurt so bad I couldn't even lay on that side or pick up the girls! I got a fever, the chills, fatigue, and just an overall crappy feeling. I thought I was coming down with the flu or something. I felt so crappy that I made Brian call the on-call doc and see if I should go in. The doc he talked to said to just call on Monday morning and make an appointment for the morning... so I did! When I got to the office, the doc checked out my breast and it was bright red with a mass under the skin. You should have seen her reaction.... it was like I had aliens in there or something. It looked so bad she called in another doc to come look at it too. They both agreed that it was a skin infection and that I should take some antibiotics to clear it up. Thank goodness they worked... and fast!
They checked it out again on Wed morning when I was there for my weekly NST and exam. It looked much better and they said to continue the antibiotics to clear it up completely. The boys' heart rates checked out just fine on the NST and I believe my cervix is still closed... or maybe 1cm dilated. They have a hard time checking it because I have a tipped uterus or something and my cervix is "way back there." Those exams are no fun, let me tell you.
So Wednesday night I woke up with some crazy itching... especially on my hands and feet. I ended up getting up at 2am taking a shower and watching tv because I couldn't go back to sleep. Brian made me call in the morning because he couldn't stand me sitting there itching. I talked to one of the docs and she said it could be two things.. PUPPS or cholestasis of pregnancy. The latter can be dangerous for the babies so they had me come in for some blood work and gave me some meds to fix the problem if that was in fact the problem. The doc said that if the meds they gave me don't work to cure the itching then I probably don't have that.... and the itching isn't going away so I think I'm in the clear. I can take benadryl also to help, but it makes you drowsy so I just take it at night so I'm not up all night itching.
I think that's about it for now. The doc says that if I go into labor that he won't try to stop it. I am 35 weeks and 4 days. I haven't had too many contractions lately either. I am now supposed to look for the 511 as the doc said. Contractions 5 minutes apart lasting for 1 minute each for 1 hour or more. Good thing I have a contraction app on my phone now. It counts the duration and time in between. Now to just get my hospital bag packed... :)
I went in for my final growth scan last week! I was 34 weeks and 2 days. The boys were measuring right on track! A was 5lbs 13oz and B was 5lbs 11oz! They are big boys already... I can't believe it! I believe they were somewhere in the 55-65th percentile. From here on out they will grow about a half pound each week so if I go to 38 weeks they could be close to 8lbs each!! Holy Moly!! Oh and how could I forget? Both boys are HEAD DOWN!! :D
Last Saturday I went out to dinner with 3 other twin mamas that have twins about the same age as the girls. We went downtown to the Cheese.cake Factory and took a carriage ride afterwards. It was so much fun!! We all joked about how we got all dolled up to go on a date without our husbands! I got a lot of grief from my friends on FB because I was leaving the house, but I figure sitting in the car, at dinner and in a carriage is the same as sitting at home on my couch, right?!? I just needed to get out! I'm not used to just hanging out at home all day and doing nothing.
Saturday night I woke up with some crazy intense pain in one of my breasts. It hurt so bad I couldn't even lay on that side or pick up the girls! I got a fever, the chills, fatigue, and just an overall crappy feeling. I thought I was coming down with the flu or something. I felt so crappy that I made Brian call the on-call doc and see if I should go in. The doc he talked to said to just call on Monday morning and make an appointment for the morning... so I did! When I got to the office, the doc checked out my breast and it was bright red with a mass under the skin. You should have seen her reaction.... it was like I had aliens in there or something. It looked so bad she called in another doc to come look at it too. They both agreed that it was a skin infection and that I should take some antibiotics to clear it up. Thank goodness they worked... and fast!
They checked it out again on Wed morning when I was there for my weekly NST and exam. It looked much better and they said to continue the antibiotics to clear it up completely. The boys' heart rates checked out just fine on the NST and I believe my cervix is still closed... or maybe 1cm dilated. They have a hard time checking it because I have a tipped uterus or something and my cervix is "way back there." Those exams are no fun, let me tell you.
So Wednesday night I woke up with some crazy itching... especially on my hands and feet. I ended up getting up at 2am taking a shower and watching tv because I couldn't go back to sleep. Brian made me call in the morning because he couldn't stand me sitting there itching. I talked to one of the docs and she said it could be two things.. PUPPS or cholestasis of pregnancy. The latter can be dangerous for the babies so they had me come in for some blood work and gave me some meds to fix the problem if that was in fact the problem. The doc said that if the meds they gave me don't work to cure the itching then I probably don't have that.... and the itching isn't going away so I think I'm in the clear. I can take benadryl also to help, but it makes you drowsy so I just take it at night so I'm not up all night itching.
I think that's about it for now. The doc says that if I go into labor that he won't try to stop it. I am 35 weeks and 4 days. I haven't had too many contractions lately either. I am now supposed to look for the 511 as the doc said. Contractions 5 minutes apart lasting for 1 minute each for 1 hour or more. Good thing I have a contraction app on my phone now. It counts the duration and time in between. Now to just get my hospital bag packed... :)
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Side effects of the meds....
On my last post, someone commented on what the side effects are of the terbutaline and the procardia. :)
The procardia, in my opinion, really doesn't have any side effects. BUT, it is also less effective in stopping those bad contractions. The night I had contractions all night it really didn't do anything, but I couldn't take anything else because I can't mix the meds together.
The terbutaline is the nasty drug that I really hate to take. It makes me have hot flashes (and stay warm,) makes my heart race, and makes me feel all shaky. If I drank about 15 cups of coffee on an empty stomach that might begin to explain how it makes me feel. If you get the injection at the hospital or the OB's office, it has the same side effects but just a lot more intense for a shorter period of time. The injection is only supposed to work for about a half hour and then wear off.
In other news, I feel like absolute garbage. I don't remember feeling this terrible when I was pregnant with the girls at all. I am having some strange pain... my breasts hurt so bad that I can't even pick up the girls without being in pain They hurt to the touch and I have no idea what to do about it. I used Dr. Goo.gle and it said that this is "normal" late in pregnancy as my breasts are getting ready to lactate. But, if it doesn't improve by tomorrow I will probably call the doc and see what I can do about it. So far I have tried a shower, bath, warm compress, and Tyle.nol. None of which seem to really give me much relief.
I also feel like I got run over by a truck. Perhaps its the lack of doing anything... I don't know. I have body aches, my joints in my hands hurt and I just feel like crap overall.
It just makes me mad because I can't take care of the girls and feel pretty useless. Brian's dad has been here since Monday and has been a big help. He's fixed some things around the house and helped take care of the girls which is huge at this point. Next week we will be depending on Sherrie, the gal that takes care of the girls to help out when Brian is at class and such. I don't know what we would do without her!! I mean, could I take care of the girls by myself? Maybe. Maybe not. I feel like such a crappy right now, but I'm not really sure what I can do about it. It would be nice to not be pregnant anymore so I could take care of the girls, but I also want the boys to cook longer so they don't have any time in the NICU.
The procardia, in my opinion, really doesn't have any side effects. BUT, it is also less effective in stopping those bad contractions. The night I had contractions all night it really didn't do anything, but I couldn't take anything else because I can't mix the meds together.
The terbutaline is the nasty drug that I really hate to take. It makes me have hot flashes (and stay warm,) makes my heart race, and makes me feel all shaky. If I drank about 15 cups of coffee on an empty stomach that might begin to explain how it makes me feel. If you get the injection at the hospital or the OB's office, it has the same side effects but just a lot more intense for a shorter period of time. The injection is only supposed to work for about a half hour and then wear off.
In other news, I feel like absolute garbage. I don't remember feeling this terrible when I was pregnant with the girls at all. I am having some strange pain... my breasts hurt so bad that I can't even pick up the girls without being in pain They hurt to the touch and I have no idea what to do about it. I used Dr. Goo.gle and it said that this is "normal" late in pregnancy as my breasts are getting ready to lactate. But, if it doesn't improve by tomorrow I will probably call the doc and see what I can do about it. So far I have tried a shower, bath, warm compress, and Tyle.nol. None of which seem to really give me much relief.
I also feel like I got run over by a truck. Perhaps its the lack of doing anything... I don't know. I have body aches, my joints in my hands hurt and I just feel like crap overall.
It just makes me mad because I can't take care of the girls and feel pretty useless. Brian's dad has been here since Monday and has been a big help. He's fixed some things around the house and helped take care of the girls which is huge at this point. Next week we will be depending on Sherrie, the gal that takes care of the girls to help out when Brian is at class and such. I don't know what we would do without her!! I mean, could I take care of the girls by myself? Maybe. Maybe not. I feel like such a crappy right now, but I'm not really sure what I can do about it. It would be nice to not be pregnant anymore so I could take care of the girls, but I also want the boys to cook longer so they don't have any time in the NICU.
Friday, February 1, 2013
MORE Contractions
I really have been resting lately... and haven't been out of the house since Wednesday when I went to Tar.get to fill my prescription for the terbutaline. Last night I was having some crazy contractions. Since it was late, I took the procardia instead of the terb because I didn't want to be awake all night. After taking the procardia, the contractions continued and I still didn't get any sleep because they kept waking me up. At about 2 am I downloaded an app on my phone for a contraction calculator and had a few that were 7 minutes apart. I can't take both meds at the same time, so I was kinda SOL at that point because I had to wait a few hours to take the terb (which I really didn't want to take because of the crazy side effects.) At about 5:30 am I finally decided to take the terb and suffer the consequences because the contractions were just not letting up. I go in this afternoon for a growth ultrasound and a visit with the doc, so we will see what he says about all of this. I know some people's docs won't stop labor past 34 weeks so if that was labor perhaps I shouldn't have stopped it? I don't know. I'm going to ask about the steroid shots for the boys' lungs too. Not sure if its too late for that, but I really don't need two babies in the NICU and two babies that can't visit the NICU at home because they are too young. Anyways, I'm 34 weeks and 2 days and I wish I had a crystal ball to predict what was going to happen!!!
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