PG Journal

Willis Twins Pregnancy Journey

Welcome to Michael and Sherry's Pregnancy adventure! This has been a long way coming. We found out on February 19th that we are pregnant with Twins! This journal starts covers from the Embryo Transfer (the start of the pregnancy) up until the estimated due date of October 7th. Select the links below to get quickly to the section of your choice. Thanks for visiting.

History Sherry's IVF Journal Ultrasound Pictures Belly Pictures

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January 17, 2003: Embryo Transfer Day! Picture of the embryos that were transferred. Wonder which two of these made it.....

January 28, 2003: 11 Days after Embryo Transfer! (4 weeks pregnant) The bloating was so bad this morning, I called the doctor. They wanted me in right away. There is this condition called Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS) that causes fluid to build up. We'll that has happened to me. I knew with some of the meds that I would at least have a small case of it. Mine is bad enough for the doctor to order bed rest for at least the next week. While I was there, they decided to run the Beta today instead of tomorrow. My initial beta hCG (pg hormone count) is 183, which mean the test is POSITIVE. We are preggers! I have to go back on Thursday for a repeat test to see if it doubles. If it does not double, it is an indicator of an ectopic pg. At this point we cross our fingers and I'm out of work for a week. I'll update more when we have the next test results.

January 30, 2003: 13 Days after Embryo Transfer! (4 weeks, 2 days pregnant) We had the 2nd beta (pg hormone) test. The count is 440, which is more than double Tuesday's count. This is great news and rules out an ectopic. We got a congratulations from the doctors office, so, it's official. We go for our first ultrasound on Feb 19th. Pray that everything sticks. The bed rest continues. The bloating always seems worse during the night and morning. I go back on Tuesday to be rechecked for the OHSS. Nausea has begun and some smells get to me. I'm guessing morning sickness is right around the corner. So far, our estimated due date is October 8, 2003. I'm starting to feel better and not as nervous. Hopefully, I can get some rest. I'll probably post less often. I'll probably post again after next Tuesday's appointment.

February 4, 2003: 18 Days after Embryo Transfer! (5 weeks pregnant) Went back to the doctor to check out the ovaries. It seems that they are filled with cysts from the left over follicles. The fluid has also increased on the right ovary. I have gained 5 lbs in the last week. The nurse said that when the OHSS goes away, this fluid weight (close to 15 lbs total) will quickly shed. I've read some things that mentioned that this could stick around through the first trimester. I go back on Feb 19. I am out of work until then (unpaid...since I'm out of sick time and don't have enough time in). This will be our test to see how we'll do with one income once I'm home for good. The ultrasound technician tried to get a peek of any activity in the uterus. It's still too early to see anything, but they said that the uterus looks good and that there's definitely things going on in there... but the embryos are just too small to see yet. We'll have to wait until the 19th to see how many we'll be blessed with. Votes around here are two, but we'll just have to wait two more weeks! I will update the IVF journal through my next appointment at which time I'll be released to a regular OB. Then, my pregnancy journal begins.

February 10, 2003: 24 Days after Embryo Transfer! (5 weeks, 6 days pregnant). I'm still hanging around, not doing much and getting tired of that. I still have the cysts and fluid in and around my ovaries. I thought it was going away, but then I started feeling worse yesterday. I did go shopping on Saturday (probably why I felt yucky yesterday...my own fault for wanting out of the house). I needed to buy some clothes, since I already cannot get into my old clothes. The bloating from the OHSS makes me look (and feel) six months pregnant. I have lost my appetite and when I eat, it's not much because it does not taste good. My old favorites taste horrible now. I never noticed this with the previous pregnancies. Everyone around here is just convinced there's more than one. Another nine days until we know for sure. I'm starting to feel a bit more confident that the pregnancy will stick this time. We're just a few days from when I miscarried before. The difference with those pregnancies was that I didn't know I was pregnant until it was almost over. I'm still on 400 mg progesterone and one baby aspirin a day until about the 10th week.

February 17, 2003: 31 Days after Embryo Transfer! (6 weeks, 6 days pregnant). Still here. The only new things going on is with my body. Morning sickness has shown up. I cannot eat anything that has any sort of scent to it without getting sick to my stomach. From what I've read, the good cases of morning sickness signify a healthy pregnancy and the case for miscarriages are lower for those that do have it. To all of us pregnant after infertility, morning sickness is welcomed. I may not think so when laying there nauseated or kneeling in the bathroom, but deep down I know this is a good thing. I've also been having something called round ligament pain. This pain occurs on the lower right or left side of the abdomen and happens when I move suddenly and when I cough or sneeze. This is due to the stretching of the uterus. The pain doesn't last long, especially when it happens when occurring when I try to stand up. I sit back down and try it a bit slower and I'm fine. According to all the books I have (I have a good supply of pregnancy books around here from all the 'I think I am' days), the round ligament pain usually occurs in the second trimester. I wonder if it happens quicker if it's not a persons first pregnancy? It would also happen quicker if there's more than one in there. Only two more day's until we find out how many we're carrying. I think the OHSS is going away (must have been replaced by morning sickness :) ). I am extremely fatigued. I guess the night long bathroom trips (every one to two hours during the night) makes a girl tired, so I take several naps a day. This is going to be hard to do when I go back to work. Well, I think my stomach has settled down enough for me to go back to bed, so, back to sleep I go. I have a new update on Wednesday. Cross your fingers/pray that they find at least one heartbeat in there!

February 19, 2003: 33 Days after Embryo Transfer! (7 weeks, 1 day pregnant). Good news...........two heartbeats!!!!!!!!!!!! It's TWINS! Estimated due date is October 7th. The doctor said that we'll be doing excellent if we make it to September 7th. Baby A's heartbeat was beating at a healthy 141 beats per minute and Baby B was going at 152. Click here to see the picture on the Ultrasound Picture page.

I go back on March 5th for another ultrasound, then if all is going well, I'll be released to a regular OB. I'm going back to work, but he is still worried about my ovaries.

February 28, 2003: 41 Days after Embryo Transfer! (8 weeks, 3 days pregnant). I'm becoming increasingly tired. I usually go to bed around 8:00 and I'm out by 9:00. It sure makes watching ER difficult. Once I'm asleep, I'm up every two hours. Sometimes I cannot get back to sleep after the midnight bathroom breaks. All it usually takes is a couple minutes and I'm tired again. I was up at 3 AM this morning...It's almost 4 AM now. I'm glad I don't have to work today. We don't go back until Tuesday. I'm starting to feel pregnant now. Since I'm baking twins, it's like the equivalent of about a 12 or 13 week pregnancy at this point. Morning sickness comes and goes. I noticed that if I keep something in my stomach, don't go too long between meals and eat too much, I'm fine. On those day's when I'm not feeling well, lemonade and pretzels help get me back. We bought sea bands, but they just seem to cut off the circulation to my hands as my wrists and hands are beginning to swell. If this makes any sense, I'm always hungry, but don't have an appetite, so I never know what I want to eat. When I get my order usually, it then does not taste well. I've had to start wearing maternity clothes if for all else, it's to be comfortable. I had them move my desk up as they brought me a stool for my legs and my toes touched the desk (maybe it was my Olive Oyl shoes...). I'm supposed to be getting another chair to help my back. I'm getting increasingly anxious for my ultrasound on Wednesday. Well, back to bed. Momma needs more sleep. Until later......

March 3, 2003: 44 Days after Embryo Transfer! (8 weeks, 6 days pregnant). I submitted the first belly picture. Check out the belly pictures link to check out. We decided on a nursery design....Noah's Ark. The whole Two by Two theme :). I started an afghan (after I re-taught myself how to crochet). I also started the Baby Registry out on Babies R Us as we're making decisions on the stuff we'll need. We're still trying to figure out the crib situation. I'm really thinking of one crib for a few months. They make crib dividers specifically for multiples. I've now hit the stage where if I'm not hungry, I'm tired. I'm usually in bed by 8 pm since I wake up frequently. Ok, I guess I'm about to admit that I'm starting to feel pregnant. Michael bought me a device they sell that keeps the seat belt lower on the abdomen. It seems to be quite the contraption. It feels like I'm in my own car seat. I'll need help out of it when I get bigger. He couldn't stand seeing the seat belt constantly move up, so he wants me to get into the habit now. Concerned Daddy! It's cute.

March 5, 2003: 46 Days after Embryo Transfer! (9 weeks, 1 day pregnant) We had a good appointment today. We had another ultrasound (click here to go to the ultrasound page). Baby A didn't want to show anything off today, so we just ended up with a back shot (Daddy say's he/she was mooning us). Baby B, on the other hand, was a bit more cooperative. Even though I didn't get to see it (monitor was not turned my way), Daddy and the tech got to watch Baby B kick and move around. Baby A's heartbeat was at 174 beats per minute (bpm) and Baby B was at 177 bpm, which is excellent. This was our last appointment with the fertility specialist. We've been released to a regular OB for now. The time may come later where we may have to see a High Risk specialist, I'm guessing sometime this summer or if I end up going into preterm labor. I selected a new OB that is associated with the clinic we've been going to. We had some really bad luck with the last OB\GYN and her office, so we decided a long time ago that she will not be my OB. I called the new OB and will be going in for my first official OB appointment next Tuesday afternoon (3/11/03). We printed out ultrasound pictures for Mitzi to take to school and show off tomorrow.

March 12, 2003: 53 Days after Embryo Transfer! (10 weeks, 1 day pregnant) I had my first official OB appointment yesterday. Sorry I was too exhausted to post an update. I got to go through the typical tests. My uterus is already measuring 14 weeks. So, the Nurse Practitioner said that even though I'm still in the first trimester (3 more weeks to go), my body is in the second trimester. Due to my past Insulin Resistance, I had to go for the 1 hour Glucose Tolerance Test. This is where you have to drink this bottle of high glucose orange drink and have blood drawn an hour later. This test is generally done between weeks 24 and 28. I ended up with quite a headache after drinking that stuff. I also had to have other blood work done. I go back to actually see the doctor next Friday (3/21/03). The nausea is still sticking around and has actually gotten worse. I make between 4 and 6 trips to the restroom during the night, so I don't get much sleep. The last couple of nights were not that bad and I slept more than two hours at a time. I think that may be from my uterus moving out out into the abdomen and off from the top of my bladder. I thought that the exhaustion was letting up. I was wrong. I think I'll get off this computer for now.

March 22, 2003: 63 Days after Embryo Transfer! (11 weeks, 4 days pregnant) We met the doctor for the first time yesterday. We also got to hear the babies heartbeats for the first time with the Doppler. It was great! Baby A's heartbeat was in the 160's range and Baby B was in the 150's, which is wonderful. We found out that we will be seeing the doctor every two weeks and will have ultrasounds once a month. My next appointment and ultrasound is scheduled for April 7th. There is a small chance that we may be able to determine genders at the next ultrasound. If not then, we should definitely see the genders at the following ultrasound. Of course the doctor told us we're at higher risk of have a cesarean (c-section), especially if Baby A is not head down. The doctor also put me on extra folic acid. He hopes that will help the exhaustion I've had. I took the first one last night and today I have not felt too bad.

Michael leaves for New Jersey (again) tomorrow and comes back on Friday. Oh yeah, the dr also told Michael not to go on any trips over a couple hours away after mid August, so, he won't be going to New Jersey in September. It looks like I may be able to travel in July, so we're hoping to make it up to Grandpa & Grandpa Gass' in Michigan for July 4th and possibly to Traverse City, Michigan a couple weeks later for our friends wedding. But....there's a while until July, so we'll see.

We also need to decide when we would like to have the baby showers (nothing is left from Dan and Mitzi...didn't really think there would be more). We did decide that we need to be ready for babies by the first of August, so we will need to have our necessities ready by then (crib, car seats, stroller, some clothes/onesies, and lots and lots of diapers). For those wondering, we have started a registry at www.babiesrus.com . We're also going with Noah's Ark for the Two-by-Two theme. We plan on going with one crib for as long as possible and I hope to nurse both babies for as long as I can). I chickened out with Daniel and Mitzi, but I realize it's importance and want to follow through with it this time. Besides, nursing is cheaper than formula! But...I will not go the extreme and do cloth diapers. I did that before and hated it. I'm also not going to have time for all that laundry!

Oh, yeah, for more good news.....Tuesday marks the end of my first trimester!!!!! I'll be able to say 'adios' to the unsure and uneasy trimester. Also, I've only gained one pound so far. I'm sure I'll gain plenty over the next two trimesters. I should now gain between 1 and 1 1/2 pounds a week.

Almost forgot. I felt the babies move. Right now it feels like bubbles and flutters. We also discussed that with the dr and he said that I can very well be feeling them, since this is not my first pregnancy. He even said that his wife felt theirs around 12 weeks and he was not about to object to her. It should only be a few more weeks until the outside world can feel them.

Wow! I was long winded.....I'll report more as I have it.

March 29, 2003: (12 weeks, 5 days pregnant) I'm in the SECOND TRIMESTER!!! I never thought I'd ever say that again. So, I celebrated by buying a little something for the babies. I bought two wrist rattles. They are so soft and cute! To this point, I've always been afraid to buy anything in fear of jinxing everything. There's really not much going on here. We're just eagerly awaiting our next ultrasound and OB appointment on Apr 7th (two day's before mommy's birthday). It will be a great gift just to see these two swimming around. I went out this week to buy more maternity shirts. I have to remember to always get one size larger since my belly will grow out of my size. So, now I'm swimming in my shirts, which is ok, since I hate wearing anything tight or constricting. Well, I'm off to wake everyone up...mama's hungry!

Oh, I never mentioned when I posted last week that I passed my Glucose Tolerance Test (checks for Gestational Diabetes). I thought for sure I'd fail. I'm so relieved. I have no restrictions eating wise, but I do 'try' to take it easy on the sugar. I get another GTT somewhere between the 24th and the 28th weeks.

Ok, now I'm really hungry! Until later....

April 7, 2003: (14 weeks) Happy Monday! It was sure a gloomy one here.

We went in for my monthly ultrasound and bi-weekly doctor appt. They both went great.

Baby A is quite the mover. Didn't want to sit still long enough to get a heart rate. The tech had to chase it (I can't wait to replace 'it' by their name!) all over and eventually got it. Baby B didn't want to straighten out to get a good head to rump measurement. Both heart rates were 154 and A measured at 14w2d and B measured at 13w6d. We got tons of pictures and should be able to determine genders at the next ultrasound next month. I also don't have to put myself through the bladder pressure with future ultrasounds as they didn't have any problems looking around.

As for the Dr appt...He was an hour late. He had two deliveries today, but I was trying to get Michael in the habit of waiting (I warned him that this would happen). He actually sat there reading a Parenting magazine. I only gained a pound and a half and everything else looked great. My next appointment is 4/21.

I felt one kick over the weekend. It was really cool. According to Baby A's current activity, I shouldn't be long until I feel non-stop kicking!

We bought a Noah's Ark Crib set was on sale. It was hard not to pass that up and is bright and cheerful! Mom Wilson got us a Noah's ark carousel and wind chimes for our birthday. They are so cute. I guess you could say that we're feeling a lot more convinced/comfortable that things will continue to go well.

Better get to scanning a couple of the ultrasound pictures.

April 21, 2003: (16 weeks) We hope everyone had a nice Easter. We spent ours doing some cleaning around the house.

I had my 16 wk doctors appointment this afternoon. All went well. I've only gained one pound in the last two weeks. They were curious on how I made it through Easter only gaining one pound. I've gained 4 overall. I have my first Physical Therapy appointment on Wednesday hoping to ease some of the back pain I already have. My uterus is measuring about 20 weeks, which is normal to measure that far ahead with twins. We took Mitzi with to the appointment so she could hear the heartbeats. Baby A was around 140 and Baby B was about 148.

I'm starting to feel a lot more movement. Michael started feeling it from the outside last Friday night.

My next Ultrasound and OB appointment is on May 5th.

April 28, 2003: (17 weeks) We had the honor of having our first ER visit yesterday (Sunday). I think I ended up with the flu that Dan had over Easter and Mitzi had on Wednesday, except after twelve hours of vomiting it still wasn't letting up. We called the doctor and they said I should head to the ER for IV fluids. That had to have been the quickest ER visit we've had...2.5 hours. They really jump to it when you tell them you're pregnant with twins. We had frequent visits from multiple nurses and the doctor would poke his head in once in a while to see how I was doing. I was hooked up to the IV and given some anti-nausea medication. I took a bit of a nap and woke up and felt better.

It took three nurses to get the babies heart rates. Someone forgot to tell the nurse they brought down from OB that there were two in there. When she mentioned that she found the placenta, Michael told her that there's one more in there. She asked if we were joking. She finally found them after she had me roll on to my side and back to 'shake them up'.

Today, I'm a bit weak and queasy, but better than I was yesterday.

April 30, 2003: (17 weeks, 2 days) I went for my first physical therapy appt on my back this morning. I found out that my Sacrum (the back part of my pelvis--shaped like an upside down triangle) is tilted back and up. It forces one hip to be higher than the other. I'm guessing it's been like this for years, since I've had problems with the pain back there for as long as I remember. I always thought it was me overdoing it and that it was related to my scoliosis. I had to lay on this cylinder thing that repositioned it. I was also given the typical pg exercises (kegels, pelvic tilts) and have to squeeze a pillow between my legs. She didn't fit me with a belt yet because she's afraid that it will pop the sacrum back into the previous position. She wants to see if it will hold in position or bounce back first. I have to go in a few times a week for a while. Now, I'm doing sacrum research. Most of what I'm finding so far has documentation on sacrum's are chiropractor's web sites. I refuse to go to a chiropractor.

I've finally gotten my appetite back after Sunday's episode. I'm not as exhausted as I was a few weeks ago. I think that's the second trimester heaven the books talk about. For twins, the second trimester heaven doesn't last very long! I better enjoy it while I can. Maybe it will help me get the things done at work I want to wrap up while I'm still working.

We're anxiously waiting for the ultrasound on Monday. My physical therapy appointment is immediately before the u/s, so hopefully it will wake these two up so we can find out who's tap dancing on my cervix and who is poking my belly button.

May 5, 2003: (18 weeks) I'm back from the appointment fest (PT, u/s and dr). The tech seems pretty convinced (not 100%) that Baby A is a girl. (she couldn't find any dangly parts, but she didn't see a labia either). They were both really active, so she needed to do a lot of chasing down. Baby B wouldn't even let us peek. Baby A's heart rate was 150 and Baby B was 158. Both babies measure 18weeks, 1day. A weighs 7oz and B weighs 8oz We did find out that it is Baby B is the one that likes to sit on my bladder and tap dance on my cervix. We got a good picture of Baby B touching it's forehead with it's foot (I wish I could do that). My uterus measures 25 weeks. I lost a quarter of a pound, since the last appointment. That's probably a result of the flu.

We bought our first pack of diapers today (I guess it's official). We'll be buying a pack or two of diapers every time we go to the store.

My next appts are: OB on 5/19 (20 wks), ultrasound and OB on 6/2 (22 wks)--we hope to see a bit more cooperation.

May 19, 2003: (20 weeks) We have passed the half way point!!!!!!! The doctors appointment went well. One heart rates were in the 140's and 150's. They were kicking up a storm and have been ever since. My uterus measures 27 centimeters (the equivalent of 27 weeks in a singleton pregnancy). I started getting good bouts of heartburn. The doctor told me what I could take (I was scared to take anything). If none of that helps, he'll write a prescription for something that should.

So far (DISCLAIMER: AS LONG AS NO COMPLICATIONS DEVELOP), I should be able to travel in July. I have already scoped out Level III NICU's in Michigan and found that Spectrum Healthcare in Grand Rapids has a Level III NICU. Level III's can take care of babies born prior to 32 weeks. It never hurts to have all this ready. I've even gone as far as printing out maps. The doctor will be printing my chart to take along.

I spent yesterday adding the page for registry information. I also added a new belly shot. Enjoy!

May 28, 2003: (21 weeks, 2 days) Last Friday evening we got to visit the labor and Delivery area at the hospital. I just wasn't feeling right and was experiencing cramping that was abnormal in comparison to the ligament stretching I usually experience. I called the doctors office and they wanted me to go on the monitors at the hospital. Everything is fine and I wasn't having contractions. The RN did ask why it took me 24 hours to get up there. I was told I am starting to get puffy, so the swelling has begun. I noticed afterwards that the swelling has really increased in my feet and ankles (what ankles?) The RN noticed the swelling in my legs. I got all set up in their database, so we shouldn't have to go through the question & answer session in future visits. The babies were not pleased to have the monitor placed on them, so they decided to do summersaults the whole time. It was really hard to get any data on the babies, but they were able to get a baseline. There was a lot of big kicks after getting the monitor (and the silly one size fits some girdle they give you now to put over the belly--kind of like an elastic bandage). I almost had to jump into this girdle thing.

Michael felt some more kicking and movements last night. Usually the kicks stop when he tries to feel them. I'm feeling constant movement now. My next appointment is on Monday June 2nd. We hopefully get to find out the genders. We hope to get a for sure girl on Baby A and get Baby B to cooperate.

June 2, 2003: (22 weeks) We had our ultrasound and Dr appt today. We got to see a lot more of the babies today. They are still movers, so it takes a lot of effort for the tech to lock in on parts to get accurate measurements. Here's what we got for genders for those that are waiting: BABY A is a GIRL. BABY B we're about 90 % sure it's a GIRL (Daddy said it's either a girl or a very uncomfortable boy!). Baby B still thinks of my bladder as a recliner. Both heart rates were at 158. Both babies are still in the breech position, which is normal at this stage. They usually don't turn until after approximately 30 weeks. A is on the right side, B is on the left.

The doctor appt went well. My uterus measures 33cm (equivalent to 33 weeks in a singleton pg). No wonder I am so uncomfortable. We were then told on the way out (the tech hand walked our ultrasound results to the doctor) that Baby A has a heart flutter and referred us to a specialist in Urbana to get a Level II ultrasound to get a better look at the heart (apparently you can see hair with this type of ultrasound). According to the doctor, it seems there may be an extra beat. He also said it could be nothing, but is should get checked out. We go for that appointment on June 24th. My next Dr appt is on June 16th and again on June 30th. I am also cutting my hours down to 20 per week starting this week.

I've lost my ability to go shopping for any period of time. I get light headed after just a few minutes. It's never like me to cut shopping trips short until now! I do my best sitting down. Laying down is painful on the hips and back.

I'll get the ultrasound pictures out soon. There's really not much different detail wise. The level II should produce some nice pictures. We should also get definite gender results!

June 17, 2003: (24 weeks) (actually typing this on 6/22) We've hit the viability point. If the babies are born now, there is a chance of survival. We are still hoping to last at least 10 more weeks. Lungs are fully developed at 34 weeks. Monday's appointment was uneventful. I measured 34 cm. My total weight gain so far is 9 pounds. Monday night and Tuesday, I was having a lot of cramping so we went over to Labor & Delivery (L&D) to be monitored for a bit Tuesday morning. I had a couple itty bitty contractions the two hours we were there, but nothing alarming. The doctor said that I will have more than I would have if there were only one in there. The alarming part was my blood pressure. It was at 144/93, which is not good. It went down when I got onto my left side, but then began to go back up after getting up for a few minutes to use the rest room (143/83). That has won me once a week doctor visits for the remainder of the pregnancy. I guess I was close to them anyway. With the blood pressure and increased swelling are signs of pre-eclampsia. I have a doctors appt tomorrow Mon, 6/23 and the targeted ultrasound to look at Baby A's heart. We hope to get a final answer on Baby B's gender. I'll post another update Tuesday night or Wednesday.

June 23, 2003: (25 weeks) I had the doctors appointment today. ALL VACATIONS ARE OFF! I'm officially on bed rest for the duration of the pregnancy as my blood pressure has remained elevated. I had it checked three times today. They were 180/94, 160/88 and 156/98. (anything over 140/90 is bad). The doc has diagnosed me with preeclampsia. I am done with work.

I have my Level II ultrasound tomorrow in Urbana (more detailed and takes a lot longer than a normal ultrasound). We will also be discussing the results of today's blood work with the perinatologist (OB specialist). The OB thinks that the peri may want to keep seeing me. Also, if bed rest doesn't take care of things, I'll be confined to a hospital bed. The OB would like me to hold out for another 5-6 wks before delivering the babies. This means he wants me to at least try to get to 30 weeks (July 29th). If the blood pressure remains too elevated, we will have no choice but to deliver. Even at 30 weeks, they will end up spending several weeks in the NICU (neonatal ICU) as their lungs do not become developed until approximately 34 weeks.

I'll be going to the shower in Beloit on Sunday. The shower in Downers Grove is a bit iffy on my presence due to possible hospitalization. If that occurs, I'll send Michael and the kids and my part can happen over the phone. I just can't be too overly excited or do anything that raises my blood pressure.

Michael is working on getting the network line working to the bed, so I should be able to be online from bed. I'll be able to update the journal. I'll add more after tomorrow's ultrasound.

June 24, 2003: (25 weeks) We had the level 2 ultrasound and talked to the perinatologist (maternal fetal specialist) in Urbana this morning. We spent 3 hours there. My blood pressure was about 138/78, which is better than yesterday. I still think that's high for a resting BP. From the bloodwork I had drawn yesterday, I am not preeclampsic yet, but I'm at high risk of it. I'm still on bed rest until further notice. We are having two GIRLS!!! We even have printed proof of the genders (hard to tell unless you know what you're looking at). The pictures we got from the ultrasound are not as good as the previous ones, so it's hard to see what is what. I may wait until the next ultrasound in a month to post any more pictures. Also, Baby A's heart looked great. There were no skipped beats. Both babies are measuring on time (25 wks) and they both weigh 1 pound, 12 ounces each, so they've almost hit the two pound mark! We also found out that if the tests did show me to be preeclampsic, I would have been hospitalized today until delivery. I will be monitored very closely from here on.

July 14, 2003: (28 weeks) Beginning of the 3rd Trimester!!!! Sorry I have not posted in a few weeks. I had problems posting updates to the old website. That was one more reason (other than cost), to switch to a new provider. We've decided to go with a cable modem instead of satellite. We're so glad to make the switch. One of these day's we'll have to get that dish off our garage!

Anyway, I'm still on bed rest. I get out every once in a while (otherwise I'd go crazy). Monday's are my doctor appt days, so I'm guaranteed an out. I did get out on Saturday. We heard of huge sales at the mall and decided to check it out. We bought several outfits for the girls and saved over $200 on them! I'm assuming that the stores are making room for all the back to school stuff. Michael and I went to dinner....we're not going to have too many of those opportunities!

I've been testing my blood pressure from home and it is high still (160/98). But, there was good news at last Monday's appt. My BP was 120/67. I think they're using the larger BP cuff. I use a smaller one at home. The doctor still wants me to keep up the bed rest as he feels that it is helping.

I had an appointment this afternoon. My blood pressure is continuing to rise. It was 160/100 and 152/106. I have to go back either tomorrow or Wednesday to have my BP rechecked. My weight has remained stable over the last week. The girls have dropped and have changed position, which explains why I can barely walk. The swelling is getting worse. The girls are now at the point where they're gaining about 1/2 a pound a week too. They should be close to 3 pounds a piece now. My next ultrasound is next Monday, so we'll find out how big they really are and if they're head down or not. My current assumption is not. I think they're still breech. They are running out of room to turn, so if they don't within the next couple of weeks, they probably won't. I'm starting to get more intense contractions. I'll start getting check next week to see if I'm beginning to dilate. I'm exhausted, so back to bed I go....

July 18, 2003: (28 weeks. 4 days) I went back on Wednesday for another blood pressure check. It was still high (150/102). So, they wanted me back in on Thursday to see the doctor with strict bed rest instructions. They also wanted me to stay on my left side. The babies get more blood flow through the placenta if I lay on my left side. Wow, what a day yesterday! We were gone 10 hours for what we thought would be a fairly quick appointment! Spent 1 to 5 pm at the doctors office (doc got called for a delivery) then another 4 hours at Labor & Delivery at the hospital for monitoring and blood work (9 vials worth of blood). I had what's called a non stress test (NST), which monitors the babies heart rates. We learned several weeks ago, that our girls are not very cooperative with. They insist on moving away from the monitor, so they have to be chased down. The doctor also checked to see if I'm dilating and I am not yet, which is great news. With all the contractions I've had lately, we just wanted to make sure. My uterus measures 39 cm (equivalent to 39 wks in a single baby pregnancy).

I don't know what happened last Oct, but L&D has no room left. They have people in all the overflow and recovery rooms. The labs came back ok. One of my BP readings was 171/106...I'm not sure what's in store for me if my BP stays this high. The nurses are guessing there will probably be an early delivery if it remains high. I (along with the doc) would really like to hold out for 35 wks (around the first of Sept)--6 weeks away. We have a greater chance of possibly bringing the girls home with us or at the most, spend a week or two in the hospital.

I go back Monday for another ultrasound and doctor appointment. I'm still on bed rest, but not confined to my left side (whew).

Off to bed....again....

July 21, 2003: (29 weeks) My appointments went well. Baby B is the presenting baby and is still breech. Baby A is transverse (across the top of my uterus). Typically A presents (first one out), but in my case, Baby A started out presenting (they always count the baby on the right A), but then switched with Baby B. I always get to explain this when I go to L&D to get monitored (they say that there's no way B presents). I get to tell them to deal with it!

Anyway, Baby A weighs 3 pounds (55%). Baby B weighs 2 lb 5 oz (28%). They're going to monitor Baby B's weight closer now. It's probably because she's the squished baby! When I went for the level II u/s a month ago, I was told that both babies weighed the same. They didn't.

After the u/s, I went for the doctor visit. I have not gained any weight since last Thursday (I lost 3 pounds between last Mon and Thurs). My uterus measured 40 cm (was 39 last Thurs and 38.5 last Mon). It also looks like I'll get to enjoy weekly NST's (non-stress tests). The nurse has to constantly hold the monitors down since the girls never sit still.

The doc thinks that the chances are small that Baby B will go vertex, so my likelihood for c-sec is looking quite high. Our next milestone is 33 wks (4wks) to avoid going to the level III NICU in Urbana (80 miles away). If I make it that far, we then go for 35, then 37 wks.

My BP today was 150/100, so it's staying steady.

I won't be posting the ultrasound pictures. The ones from 6/2 are still the best. Baby B would not show her face this this time, so we only have a profile of Baby A. I bet you're all asking why are we not calling them by name? Well, we've decided to keep that secret. Very few people know. We figured that we'd keep something secret, so the anxiety builds before the big event. Not much has been this far.

I go back to the doctor next Monday.

August 26, 2003: (34 weeks) Sorry for the 5 week delay! I was hospitalized on July 27th and was just released yesterday. I'm to remain on bedrest until further notice. I also need to return to Urbana three times per week for non-stress testing (fetal & contraction monitor) and sono's. I did start a journal, but it got lost during my hospital stay, so I'm just giving a brief overview. I am extremely uncomfortable and cannot wait to get rid of this waddle. Hopefully, there's only a few weeks left. During the hospital stay, I was injected twice with a steroid that will help develop the girls' lungs. One side effect is that it raises blood sugar levels and throws some into Gestational Diabetes. I was thrown into GD and need to inject insulin 4 times a day and adhere to a low carb/sugar diet. I also have to check my blood sugar 8 times a day! I had to learn how to do the measuring and injecting prior to leaving the hospital. Also, while in the hospital it was determined that Baby B may be a bit growth restricted. I'm not completely convinced of that since she is also the 'squished' baby and it's been extremely hard to get accurate measurements. I'm confident that she is just fine. Due to that, I must remain with the specialist and will deliver in Urbana as opposed to being released to my OB and the hospital in Bloomington.

For the most part, that's a month in a nutshell. While I was away, MItzi got moved into her new room and the evacuation of her stuff has begun from her old room (not an easy task...she's a packrat!). There's not much time to get that room ready for the girls, but we've for the most part got the required things setup in our room, where the girls will spend the first few months.

September 6, 2003: I had to return to see the doctor on 8/27, 8/29 and 8/31 for non stress stress testing, bio physical profiles, and lab work. I was almost re-admitted on 8/29, but since the doc was on call on 8/31 he let me go home, but he warned me that chances were good that I’d be re-admitted on 8/31. Baby B (Evalynn) did not completely pass the bio physical and NST (rates were not increasing—showing very little activity), which meant that she was showing signs of stress. The doctor decided to do the c-section that afternoon.

So, on Sunday, August 31, 2003 at 34 weeks, 5 days gestation via C-Section delivery…..

Evalynn Kathleen was born at 3:51pm (Central time), weighing 2 lb, 12 oz and measuring 16 inches long. (Baby B in utero, delivered as Baby A)

Elizabeth Catherine was born at 3:52 pm at 5 lbs and measuring 18 inches long. (Baby A in utero, delivered as Baby B)

Both girls are still in the NICU. They both lost their IV’s today and started bottle feeding last night. We hope to have Elizabeth (Lizzie) home within the next week or two and Evalynn (Lynn) will be a couple weeks longer than that, probably closer to the 10/7 due date. I was released from the hospital on Wednesday and have been staying at a guest house run by the hospital auxiliary (NICU parents are given a priority, especially if nursing).

Tonight is my first night home away from the hospital. Kind of a rough night, feeling like I’m being a bad mom by being this far away. Today is my oldest’s 13^th birthday, so we wanted to try to make it special. We even bought him a card from his new sisters. I think he had tears in his eyes. It was touching. The card was cute. Had two identical kittens with different colored ribbons. I wrote each girls name on each ribbon. The card said “happy birthday, from cute & cuter!

The C-Section itself was a bit rough. It took a few attempts to get the spinal anesthetic going. It wasn't the fault of the anesthesiologist. First, he had to hit a moving target. My legs started shaking uncontrollably. The two gals in with me couldn't even hold me down. Then there was my large belly so I couldn't arch my back enough. To top it all off, they had to deal with my curved spine. Spinals are harder to insert if you have scoliosis (I warned him ahead of time). The pulling and pushing felt odd. The girls were out in no time. It took forever to stitch back up. Afterwards, I was on Magnesium Sulfate (to prevent seizures as pre-eclampsia can worsen postpartum) and morphine. Apparently I kept telling Michael to pick the apples from the walls and kept asking the nurses how many times I could hit the button. I was kept in labor and delivery until the next day, when I was taken off the meds. I was then moved to postpartum and got to get wheeled to the NICU to see the girls for the first time. Evalynn's size was sure overwhelming at first. She'll look perfect once fattened up, which is exactly what they do. This part of the protocol in the NICU is actually called the Fat Farm. I am below my prepregnancy weight. I gained 19 pounds and have lost about 25. There is a lot of 'twin skin' left to lose, so I'm not even close to where I want to be.

Here's a picture of the girls taken today at 6 days old....

This page last updated - September 02, 2006 12:02:52 AM

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