35/35 & more...

It is 35/35 today... that is 35w preggers and 35d to go! I always found it exciting to read it on other blogs. Not that it technically counts for twin PG, but it always fascinated me! :)


Anyhow, through the last 35 weeks, 5 of my friends have had *news* to share - gotten pregnant!

The closest of them all is technically just a week behind me as per the real EDD (in April). She told me about her status when she had just figured out (between week 4-5) and I was still in the closet... she knew about the IVF, but I had requested her to not ask about the IVF outcome till I came up with it! I was in shock for a few weeks (as usual, they weren't even ttc their first one)! I finally opened up to her, though our relationship has not been as open as it used to be (we have been good friends since high school and we are the only two who are exclusively in touch with each other for over a decade)... though it is getting better with time.

Then came the news of another friend whose EDD is 4 weeks before mine... so she is ready to pop anytime now! That felt more like a surprised shock - it didn't hit me as hard! May be I had started believing in myself a little more since I was in the second trimester.

This followed by a friend who got PG with her 2nd IVF... I was thrilled! I was so excited and happy for her... she recently delivered a cute and chubby baby boy!

Then, in the last 2 weeks, 2 other friends revealed that they are expecting their 2nd child (they both are 2 weeks apart - due in Sept). How did I feel this time? Numb! I am happy for them, but I am numb.

The genuine excitement I used to have for (non-IF) friends who used to get PG back in the days seems to have disappeared. My reaction has changed from shock & pain to numbness... will it change further? I don't know! When I know there are several of my dear blog buddies still trying and several people in real life still struggling, the IF in me will always stay on the guard!

Free Huggies Diapers from Costco

Free Huggies Diapers (2 boxes - Size 2 to 6) from Costco!

34 Weeks!!

34w1d today! And there is a lot to report!

I had an OB appointment on 03/03. We did the GBS test. I haven't heard back from the doc (I need to follow up), but I guess since he didn't call back it is probably negative. Cervix was still closed! I have gained close to 50 lbs (including ~5 lbs of IVF wt)!!! It is gonna be fun to go back to the pre-pregnancy weight - but I guess anything for healthy and chunky babies! My OB does not measure fundal height (for twin PG) - but we did measure this time and I was measuring 42w! We discussed about HUAM and Procardia (see below).

I stopped monitoring on the HUAM (Wednesday, 03/03 was the last day). I used it for close to 9 weeks... it probably is one of the reasons that I could stay sane through the last 2 months! It was reassuring to see that I was not contracting-away beyond the threshold, and at the same time it alerted us enough to take action when required! Though we had now reached a point were the contractions were obviously increasing (I couldn't feel most of them)... it's but natural to be contracting significantly at 34w with twins (especially since it has been going on from end of 2nd trimester). Also, after 34w typically the docs will not stop labor, so it did not make sense to continue monitoring.

I reduced the medication (Procardia) as well... from 80 mg (20 mg every 6 hrs) to 60 mg (20 mg every 8 hrs)... and I will be dropping it further (gradually), and I will be completely off of it by 36w (assuming I reach that far)!

We had a growth scan today (03/05)... everything looked good. Our little boy weighed 5 lbs 1 oz (around 56% ...up from 35th% previously) and our little girl weighed 5 lbs 8 oz (around 66%). I feel so much more relieved after reaching 34 weeks and with these weight measurements!

NST and BPP continue every week for now. We are scheduled for a c-section on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 37w6d! Though, my OB is thinking it is probably going to be earlier than that.

We installed the car seats today, and we will be getting them inspected tomorrow! The pediatrician that I had mentioned in my previous post... one of my friend (who gave birth recently) is going to the same ped, and she really liked the group... so that's a good thing! This weekend is going to be a major get things done weekend (of course by my parents and DH - while I lay around and give orders :P)!

33W3D

Still hanging on... had one small hospital visit (half day on 02/23) for monitoring and some fluids (IV), since I was going beyond the threshold on HUAM. Though I was not really feeling most of the contractions - so I didn't expect much. The docs did fFN again and it came back negative. Previous two NST & BPP were good.

My biggest concern for this week was - my OB was on vacation... and I really didn't want to deal with other doc if something were to happen. He is back in the office tomorrow, and I am hoping that I am not speaking too soon. I guess this is a risk you take for choosing a doctor who practices independently (and not in a group).

I forgot to mention this earlier, but we finalized on a Pediatrician. He was recommended by my OB and has some good reviews. I could not go speak with him in person, but we did speak on the phone and he seems to be nice. It is actually a group of 4 docs and they see their patients on weekends too in case of emergency.

I also wanted to thank you girls for the information and recommendations regarding breastfeeding. I am determined to BF and hoping that my body will cooperate!

31 Weeks

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!

28W1D - Cervix & Growth Scan Update

First of all 'Thank You' for all your encouraging comments and support. I am sorry, I might not have replied back to you personally (since I am slacking a little with blogging)... but I am still reading your comments and posts, and they mean a lot to me.


Here is a brief update...

01/15/10 Cervix: 1.8 cm

01/20/10 fFN (@ OB): Negative

01/20/10 OB Update: There is a possibility of me getting on to medications (pills not insulin) for GD at my next visit (02/03/10)... my values have been steadily rising recently (started monitoring since 14W)!

01/22/10 Cervix: 1.9/2.0 cm!! The cervix has been going down by ~0.3 cm each week... so this was totally unexpected! I know things can go in any direction, but this is a momentary relief!

01/22/10 Growth: Baby Boy is weighing 2 lbs 8 oz and Baby Girl is weighing 2 lbs 12 oz at 28W1D!! I hope they keep growing at this rate and get stronger day by day!


The hospital I go to does not perform cervix scans after 28W... so this was our last one (unless things change drastically - major contractions/labor/fFN)... the next growth scan will be in 3 weeks (02/12/10). This will be the longest I will have gone w/o an u/s since the NT scan (12W) and first cervix scan (16W). And I am willing to wait - cause that would mean that things are relatively stable. When I enquired with my OB and the MFM, they said that one is not admitted at this stage for a (super) shortened cervix, unless it is accompanied by major contractions or labor or positive fFN. So, for now the bedrest, HUAM and medication (Procardia) continues. I can't thank my Mom and DH enough for making the bedrest (4 weeks now) as smooth as it has been.

26W5D

This post has been long over due. I was hoping to write a long post, but laying down and typing gets a "little" difficult... so I am going to have to go with bullets!

• So, after the cervix scan (with a measurement of 2.5 cm) during Christmas, we decided that I was going on a self imposed bedrest. That was one of the most anxious weeks in a very long time! I was counting days to the next u/s (New Years eve - Dec 31) and was hoping my cervix wasn't doing anything crazy. For some reason, I had this feeling I was going to end up in the hospital and I kind of got in to this nesting phase where I had to get things done (especially all the bills, insurance, home stuff etc).
  
  
• On 31st, during the scan the cervix hadn't changed much (2.4 cm), but the MFM thought that there was some dynamic change happening and they decided to put me on monitoring (Tocometer)! They started me on Procardia (4 times a day - every 6 hours). I received my first shot of the steroid on 31st (I was more than happy to take that - because it meant that it would boost the babies lung development). My husband got to stay with me at the hospital, so it wasn't that bad. I was released after the second shot and the fFN test on the New Years with strict bedrest instructions and home monitoring.
  
  
  
• I have been set up with HUAM - Home Uterine Activity Monitor. I have to put the monitor on twice a day for 1 hour each. The data is recorded and then is sent over to a health clinic which calls me back to give me an update about how many contractions I have had. If there are more than 4 contractions in an hour during a repeat monitoring event or if I am feeling uneasy, the doctor is contacted (touch wood - we haven't had to do that so far). I have realized that I can pretty much pin point a contraction... and I could tell those even before the hospital visit - it was just that I couldn't classify them as a "contraction" back then. During a contraction my belly gets really stiff... mostly on one side more than the other and I get breathless... as if I am choking and I can feel my heart racing, and blood flowing in to my head! Most of the times the contractions seem to be under control with the medication, but there are times when my uterus is extra active. In such a case I am advised to drink even more water than I usually drink (which has been between 5-6L daily - I just get that thirsty) and things seem to stabilize.
  
  
• Along with all this new routine... our insurance changed on 1/1/10! I had nightmares about the hospital/pharmacy creating issues about the new insurance (because we still have not received the permanent id card with an appropriate id #)... but things are under control (after several phone calls). So far, the insurance seems to be having a similar coverage (like our previous one)... but only time will tell (i.e. we do/don't receive bills in mail)!
  
  
• So, right now I am in to my 3rd week of bedrest... food had been a little bit of a problem... but we some how managed. Poor husband has been working extra hard and I feel bad that I have not been able to help him. My Mom came over today and will be staying with us (for a couple of months) until after the babies are born (which I hope is still 8-10 weeks away). My Dad joins us in February. So things will hopefully be a little easier on the home front.
  
  
• On a lighter note... when we checked in to the hospital and were going through some initial Q/A... one of the questions asked by (a young *hot*) doctor was "when was the last time you had intercourse?" Haha... my answer was July! To which she was like "whoaw" followed by a foxy look at my husband!
  
  
• Currently, I am going in for weekly u/s. At the last u/s on 01/08, the cervix measured 2.2 cm. The next visit is this Friday 01/15 for cervix and 01/22 for cervix and growth scan. I am seeing the OB every 2 weeks as well. I have requested a 2nd fFN test at the next OB appointment on 01/20. The current routine continues, unless there are any crazy changes in between!

Hospital Visit - Quick Update

Just a quick update... I will post in detail later.

I had my follow up cervix scan yesterday morning and the cervix had not changed much... just a 0.1 cm less than a week ago (which could just be a margin of error)... though the tech and doc thought that I was having some contractions and the cervix is dynamically changing... so they decided to send me to the Perinatal Evaluation and Testing (PET) section of the hospital for couple of hours of monitoring. They hooked me up to monitors gave me a shot to reduce the contractions... the contractions reduced but kinda came back with in an hour... so they decided that I was getting the steroid shot (to boost babies lungs) and was going to start some pills (4 times a day) to reduce the contractions. I forgot the name of the medication, I will put that up when I post in detail. So we ended up staying overnight. We did the FFN test this morning and are awaiting the results. I hope they come back negative! If they are negative, most likely I will be going home this evening after the second steroid shot! As of now the babies and I are doing well.

Happy New Year to all!

*** Update ***
FFN result came back negative. Got back home January 1st evening, just exhausted and overwhelmed, will post in detail tomorrow (Sunday 3rd).

24 Weeks - *Viability* & the CERVIX

It is 24 weeks! We had a growth and cervix scan today.

The babies are doing great and are weighing in at 1lbs 7oz (baby girl) and 1lbs 5oz (baby boy). They were moving around a lot and looked like they were having a good time in there. 24 weeks is viability and I am very glad we made it to this big milestone... every week from here on is going to be a greater milestone in this journey to have two healthy and chunky babies!

Now for my cervix :(... Up until now, I have been measuring at around 3.4 cm (since 16w)... today it was 2.4 cm. That is 1 cm less than what it was 2 weeks ago! Till now I have been going in every two weeks for the cervix check, however this time I have been asked to come in (at the hospital) for my next check with in a week! I am worried and I know I still have quite a bit of cervix there, but that is a big difference in 2 weeks. It is always reassuring for us to get the checks done towards the end of the week, but this time with it being Christmas weekend, I can't really talk directly to my OB till around Monday/Tuesday (unless I call him on his emergency line) and that is not making me happy.

We were planning for a baby shower in January and I wanted to start gearing up towards all that... but right now I don't want to think of where I will be 4 weeks from now!

I have never really mentioned this before, but I was laid off earlier this year and we decided it was better for me to stay back home during this whole crazy ride... which essentially means that I have been resting a hell lot more than I would have had I been working full time. Which means that even if I get on to a pretty strict bed rest, it still wouldn't be very much different than what I have been up to thus far.

I guess right now I am just panicking and I just need to wait and watch. The babies are doing a great job in there... it is the Mommy who needs to keep her stuff together!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everybody! Please say a little prayer for me! Thank you for all your support!