Finally some good news! :)

The appointment today went well! :)  The babies look good.  Heart rates were good, and the tech commented on how big brother looked.  He has flipped back head down.  Now that they are getting bigger we can feel and see their little feet moving around the top of my abdomen.  Its hilarious.  He seems to have lightened up on his sister some, and she's moving around a lot more.  My cervix has remained stable since our last check, so my OB was very happy with that.  We talked about what the chances are of making it to 36 weeks, and she thinks that's definitely a possibility.  If we get to that point she will remove the cerclage and I'll be free to do as I please! :)  10 more weeks!  That's nothing, right? :)  The contractions have continued, but definitely not worse, and some days seem better.  As long as they don't cause cervical changes we are fine.

I'll have another full ultrasound in two weeks, and I'll start getting non stress tests every two weeks.  During a non stress test they put you on the monitors like I had before and after my cerclage to monitor both babies heart rates and any contractions I have, and make sure their heartrates respond appropriately to their movements.  I've never seen one or talked to anyone about it, but she said I'll have a button I push any time I feel them move so they'll be able to correlate it with their heartrates.  Usually it is done later in pregnancy, but she does them early for twins.  They also don't have two monitors in the office so I'll have to go to the L&D floor to have it done each time.  I'll also get my glucose tolerance test done that day... so fingers crossed it all goes well!

Thank you so much for everyone's calls, texts, visits, meals, etc.  They all mean so much to Joe and I and have carried us through some scary moments the last couple weeks!  I can't say how much we appreciate everyone's thoughtfulness!

25 weeks

24 weeks! The pajama party continues....

The babies looked great today.  Little Man continues to squirm all over while Little Miss is being smashed in place by him. :)  She's holding firm right up against my cervix.  He had his bottom smashed up against her face today for most of the ultrasound, making it difficult to get a good profile picture.  She is now measuring at 24w2d with a estimated weight of 1lb 8oz, and Little Man is measuring a full week ahead of her at 25w2d and an estimated weight of 1lb 14oz.  He was mostly breech for the ultrasound, although at the end looked like he was attempting to flip over, as you can see in his picture below.  He was showing off some nice acrobatics!

 

I have continued to have contractions despite being off my feet and taking Procardia. My Dr is mostly concerned if I'm having more than 6 an hour, which usually is not the case.  She would like me to just take the Procardia every 4 hours from now on and notify her if this doesn't keep them under 6 a hour.  She said this will just be the way it is from here on out due to the size of me vs. the size of my uterus! :)

 

Unfortunately my cervix still shortened to where she considers her minimum for letting you be on your feet and is officially placing me on bedrest for the rest of the pregnancy.  I am allowed up for the bathroom, shower, and to get food, otherwise I need to be laying back to keep the weight off my cervix.  She is banning me from my outtings I was looking forward to this weekend with family and friends coming to town, but luckily my shower was already planned for at home.  I am going to try and keep as positive attitude about this as possible, although I feel horrible for the work load this is putting on Joe.  He already has enough stress with work, school, and homework, this is only putting more on his plate.  He has been incredible so far, and has yelled at me every time I got up and did something the last few days :) I have no doubt he make sure I'm following Dr's strict orders!

 

The plan is to be back to the Dr in another two weeks.  I hopefully have a very uneventful next two weeks before my appointment! 

 

 

More contractions :(

Just want to keep everyone updated... Yesterday my contractions seemed to pick back up. They are mostly in clusters and nothing intense or serious, but I decided to call and see if I could get in to see the Dr before Monday since I was to go back to work tonight, and to get some peace of mind. They seemed hesitant to give me an apt but ended up getting me in this afternoon. Im glad i got in to see her....My Dr was concerned with the number I'm sometimes having in an hour, even if they aren't strong enough to cause cervical changes right now. She feels like having as many as I sometimes am, plus being on my feet, is not a good idea due to the pressure it can cause on the cerclage. Her plan is to keep me off work until 26 weeks and re-evaluate going back and doing shorter shifts then, if possible. Im not on strict bedrest yet, just have to stay off my feet as much as possible. She also prescribed me a medication to take anytime I start having more than a few an hour. I'm not excited to to be using up my maternity leave now, but I know its more important to keep these babies growing for now. I still have my appointment Monday for a cervical length and full ultrasound. I will keep everyone updated!

Finally!! 23 weeks!

Today has been a good day!  I have felt much, much better!  I thankfully decided not to work last night, after the encouragement of friends and Joe. :)  I had to call the Dr's office for a refill this morning so I talked to the same nurse I did Friday.  She wasn't a ton of help... really just was stuck on repeat telling me what the signs of TRUE labor are every time I asked her a question. :)  What I could get out if it was, just work through what I'm feeling unless they become more regular.  The good news is that hopefully by Wednesday (the next night I have to work) this wont be an issue.  I am very hopeful that since things have slowly improved they will continue to do so.

The babies seem to be doing well.  Every time my belly would tighten up the last few days they both start kicking and squirming as if to say, "no!! stop!! don't like!".  :)  According to BabyCenter they are over 11 inches long and weigh just over a pound.  Next Monday is another full ultrasound, so we will get measurements then. :)

It feels great to finally be considered "viable", although we (hopefully) have many, many more weeks of belly pictures! :)

Braxton Hicks

The babies and I are still doing alright.  I've continued to have contractions and a lot of tightening.  I spoke to a nurse yesterday who said I shouldn't be too concerned since they aren't true labor contractions and sound more like Braxton Hicks, but not to be afraid to page the on call Dr. this weekend if I have concerns.  She said that unless they become longer and closer together and cause pain/pressure it's probably ok.  That makes me feel better, but they defininitely seem to be aggrivated by me getting up and out of bed.  I have pretty much spent the last three days in bed since getting home.  Today seems maybe a little better.  Its still very nerve-wracking to suddenly cramp and tighten up, not knowing how long it will last and when it will happen again.  If tonight/tomorrow is the same or better I will plan on calling my Dr. Monday to see if I can get in to talk to her.  I don't really have an idea of how much is normal and ok, or should I be on my feet for 8 hours and working through them because they are "harmless", or do they mean its best to hang out in bed?  Any of you or anyone you know dealth with a lot of Braxton Hicks throughout their pregnancy? 

Finally all hooked up after surgery

 

The babies hearts beating in unison! :)