Yes, I am still there! 7 weeks of bedrest, and hoping and praying for a few more weeks! With my horizontal constraint, this is going to be another bulleted (paragraph'ish) post....
-We saw the babies yesterday during the growth scan. I am amazed at how big they have grown! Our boy weighed 3 lbs 4 oz and the girl weighed 3 lbs 12 oz at 31w. The MFM seems to be okay with the difference in the weight. We were told that since they have good blood supply, the placenta and amniotic fluid looks good, and they have been growing at the same rate (with the difference), it should not be a concern. We are going in for the next growth scan in 3 weeks (assuming all goes well). As mentioned before, the hospital does not perform cervical scans after 28w. The last time we scanned (at 28w), the cervix measured 1.9 cm.
-I will be starting with weekly Non Stress Test (NST) and Biophysical Profile (BPP) from the following week.
-I am still just monitoring my GD (since week 14), and haven't gotten onto any meds, though I sure am border line (fasting between 90-100, and occasional dinner highs). We had to bump up my Procardia meds from 10 mg every 6 hours to 20 mg every 6 hours! My contractions were kind of going above the set threshold all the time, and that was making me super anxious! The increased level of meds seem to be helping at this point of time. I am still on HUAM.
-fFN on Feb 3rd (last OB appointment) came back negative. Next OB appointment is on Feb 17. We are considering not doing any more fFN's since we are nearing the arrival, and I am just going to freak out if the results are positive. The cervix was still closed during the OB visit.
-On home front, most of the shopping is done! Of course most of it was done online - I love Amazon (great reviews, no shipping, no taxes, and most items cheaper than anywhere else) - the profit Amazon has been bragging about is probably partially because of me!! ;) Most of the clothes were purchased during Thanksgiving sale. We de-taged all the clothes yesterday, and some of the clothes are in the dryer right now (as I type this). Some of the items I purchased that I really liked (besides, the regular baby monitor, feeding pillows etc) are: BreathableBaby (reasonably priced blankets/bumpers, good reviews & supposedly "safer"!), Skip Hop Duo Double Deluxe Diaper Bag, Baby Trend Double Snap & Go Stroller (we are not buying any other travel system/stroller right now), JJ Cole Bundle Me (saves money on buying tons of jackets which they outgrow shortly... and if the current weather trend continues, I am sure this will be put to good use), Itzbeen Baby Care Timer. How good these items really are, I will only know when I use 'em! :P
-I had a baby shower the weekend of my 28th week scan. I was so not sure if I was going to be able to make it (till all the scans and results... so I was trying not to make a big deal out of it). But at the same time, I was not ready for a shower before reaching 28w either. It wasn't really a traditional one... it was basically a couples party! We played a few (gender neutral) games... the food was awesome! It was so nice to meet everybody and celebrate this life changing event! And OMG, I am overwhelmed and humbled by how much the babies received!
-The babies will be sleeping in our room for the first 2 months at least, till we get a hang of the feeding and sleeping (at least a tiny bit). So the nursery is not completely done done... but we have purchased most of the stuff and have things figured out.
-I intend on breastfeeding - assuming I have enough supply (I have heard of PCOS interfering with this). I have seen good reviews about Goat's Rue, Fenugreek Seed Capsules and Mother's Milk Herbal Tea to increase milk supply. Does anybody have a good personal experience with it? In case we need to go the route of expressed breast milk (EBM) or have to supplement, we are going for glass bottles... I have purchased a few of Evenflo, Dr. Browns and Munchkins. Will load up on them depending upon how the babies like them and how well they work. I am thinking of renting the pump from the hospital to begin with.
-We are going with C-section (as mentioned before), I am not willing to risk anything (which is in my hand) after this long journey.
-We did a NICU tour - I hope we don't end up there, but it was reassuring seeing the whole set up and progress of the babies there (the hospital has level III NICU). As far as the classes are concerned, we did the breastfeeding and baby care class. I was not going to be able to make it to the marvelous multiples class (5 sessions of 2.5 hours each was going to be too much for me to handle)... I am trying to read up and watch videos etc... that's probably the best I can do!
February 12, 2010
31 Weeks
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Sounds like you are getting ready. I too love Amazon.com. LOVE IT!!!!
ReplyDelete31 weeks is fantastic! Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteAs for milk supply, I recommend the book The Breastfeeding Mother's Guide to Making More Milk, which I wish I'd had before they were born instead of two months after. In addition to explaining the anatomy of nursing in more detail than I've seen elsewhere, it talks about each specific risk factor for low supply including PCOS and how each intervention deals with those risk factors. Some galactologues are good for PCOS and some are bad. I don't have PCOS so I don't know that my own experience with fenugreek and others will be relevant to you.
If you don't like the Itzbeen, I recommend tracking online (or with iPhone) via Trixie Tracker. It is totally indispensable in this house.
I don't remember if I told you this already, but I also highly recommend Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Twins.
Hang in there! Good luck!
So nice to hear from you my friend! 31 weeks is a great milestone! I'm thinking of you and hopefully it'll be a little longer before you meet the babies! Fran
ReplyDeleteGlad that things are looking good!
ReplyDeleteI put the snap n go on our registry also, and am not getting/asking for another stroller yet. I also put that timer on our registry, because it was suggested by another blogger. That blanket wrap thing looks neat!
I'm going to try to breastfeed for at least the first six weeks, if my body cooperates. Not sure about pumping at work, but we'll see. So I'm buying regular and breastfeeding bottles and renting the pump from the hospital. I think.
Did you get a pack n play or a cosleeper for your room?
Also, I've been told that we don't really need a changing table, but I'm considering just buying a dresser and getting one of those changing things to put on top of it. It would be nice to have a designated area. Thoughts?
So glad you're doing well. :)
I second everything Baby Smiling said. Especially the "Making More Milk" book. Also the sleep book. (Jeez, she's a smarty.)
ReplyDeleteI take Goat's Rue, Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle. I think the Goat's Rue may be the powerful one doing the most for me and have heard amazing things about it for PCOS gals. I am thrilled your going to BF! You will love the feeling of nursing those babies or providing milk for them. :)
You are doing so well! Thinking of you and your sweeties!
Hey! Yes, I used that same brand of Goat's Rue. It is important to follow the directions about liquid before and after, FYI.
ReplyDeleteI did not start taking them initially. I would wait to see how your supply is, because truly MOST women make enough for twins if they pump enough initially. That should be your number one prioity in my book: PUMPING. I did it 8-9 times a day and since two of my guys are weaker, still do it 7-8 times a day. You just have to commit to it. Your body will not know to make enough unless you tell it to. Really get that book Baby Smiling suggested. My LLL friends say it is their "bible" about milk supply!!! I would read it first, if I were you.
I wish I could tell you what an amazing feeling it is to nourish your babies. I cannot wait for you to feel it yourself! (I hope I am not sounding crazy here, but nursing is a huge passion for me!)
Keep up the amazing work of growing sweet babies. :)
Hi, I just linked over from Baby Smiling's blog and wanted to chime in on the weights. If those estimates are correct, your babies will likely do just fine. My three were born at 30w6d and were 3#10oz, 3#12oz, and 3#2oz. They were pretty much just feeders and growers in the NICU with no real health concerns. The peanut is actually now the biggest at 6 mos old because she doesn't have reflux like the other two.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely rent the hospital grade pump, at least at the beginning until you all get the hang of BF'ing. It'll be better for establishing your supply.
Good luck!
~Cat
Way to go on 31 weeks! You are almost to 32, and my perinatologist said 32 weeks was his main goal, because babies born at 32 weeks fair as well as full term babies in the long run. You are doing a great job getting through bed rest and keeping those babies in there! You can definitely breathe a little easier now.
ReplyDeleteI'm really interested in how you like the Itzbeen- I'll be waiting for a review after your babies are home!
Sounds like you are pretty much ready for your little bundles of joy! Thanks for all the encouragement over on my blog and best of luck to you, TOO, over the last remaining weeks.
ReplyDeletejust thinking about you and wondering how things are going... :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
I was just popping in to let you know I'm hoping things are still going well. It's getting so close!!!
ReplyDeleteso glad to read all is going pretty well. I think of you often and can't wait to read how you and the bubs get on. It's getting close now!
ReplyDeleteI had a bad experience with fenugreek - D would not take the boob while I was taking it, not sure if it was the change in my smell or the taste of the milk, I managed my supply by pumping often instead. I know it was only for one and 2 is a whole other ballgame but it's worth keeping in mind.