Friday, December 17, 2010
October 20, 2010, the best day of our lives or the day our lives really began
At 7:13 and 7:14 PM we welcomed little Mia and Edward into our lives. They both weighed a healthy 5 pounds and are beautiful. We cannot imagine life before them. My good friend said it perfectly when she said it was the day our lives really began.
34 week appt or Delivery day
As I mention in my earlier post, I had severe swelling for a few weeks. My size 7 flip flops were replaced with a tight size 9 flip flop. Most of my day (on bed rest) was elevating my feet to try to keep the swelling at a minimum with no luck. I had researched swelling and found that only if my face were to swell would there be a concern of preeclampsia. I didn't think I looked any more swollen in the face than before the pregnancy.
On this day and at my doctor's office, I found that I had gained 12 pounds in one week and my protein levels were high. It only took my doctor one quick glance to realize I had preeclampsia and needed to deliver right away.
We were admitted to the hospital where the admitting doctor ran more in-depth tests to verify the preeclampsia. The lab results were staggering and I delivered an hour later.
On this day and at my doctor's office, I found that I had gained 12 pounds in one week and my protein levels were high. It only took my doctor one quick glance to realize I had preeclampsia and needed to deliver right away.
We were admitted to the hospital where the admitting doctor ran more in-depth tests to verify the preeclampsia. The lab results were staggering and I delivered an hour later.
Aching to Deliver
At week 32 I became so severely uncomfortable. For weeks I had been sleeping sitting up in an IKEA chair when over 4 pillows propped up in bed didn't help the enormous pressure on my chest caused by the babies and asthma flare ups. We had also tried a recliner and I often used that for a couple of hours when I needed something a bit more comfortable. I probably averaged about 4 hours of sleep a night with no more than a two hour stretch of sleep. To top it off, I could not cool down. The room temperature was set to 65 degrees and while Ed was walking around in flannel pajamas, I was still hot.
I was also swelling for weeks on end. My feet swelled so much that I had to buy size 9 flip flops when my size 7's refused to fit anymore. There were nights that even if I elevated my feet all day, they would still ache. Compression socks (rite aid) and ace bandages helped but not for very long. I felt the most immediate but temporary relief in soaking my feet in iced water.
My skin would itch. Calamine lotion, vitamin b oil, hydrocortisone and itch relief became essential but never took the itching away for very long. It was as if mosquitoes came for miles to feast on my poor swollen skin. Poor Ed became my mosquito and bug slayer but could never quite kill them all to satisfy me or my psyche.
For these and many more reasons, I would ask my OB to ok an earlier than 36 week delivery. He said he couldn't unless there was a compelling reason because the perinatologists had been brought in to care for me. The perinatologist would have to approve an earlier than 36 week delivery. This broke my heart when at 33 weeks, I was so swollen, exhausted, and miserable. Little did I know I would deliver my babes a week later in an emergency situation.
I was also swelling for weeks on end. My feet swelled so much that I had to buy size 9 flip flops when my size 7's refused to fit anymore. There were nights that even if I elevated my feet all day, they would still ache. Compression socks (rite aid) and ace bandages helped but not for very long. I felt the most immediate but temporary relief in soaking my feet in iced water.
My skin would itch. Calamine lotion, vitamin b oil, hydrocortisone and itch relief became essential but never took the itching away for very long. It was as if mosquitoes came for miles to feast on my poor swollen skin. Poor Ed became my mosquito and bug slayer but could never quite kill them all to satisfy me or my psyche.
For these and many more reasons, I would ask my OB to ok an earlier than 36 week delivery. He said he couldn't unless there was a compelling reason because the perinatologists had been brought in to care for me. The perinatologist would have to approve an earlier than 36 week delivery. This broke my heart when at 33 weeks, I was so swollen, exhausted, and miserable. Little did I know I would deliver my babes a week later in an emergency situation.
More Pre-Term Labor drama
At about week 32 the pre-term labor drama started to pick up. I was in and out of the triage unit at Sutter's Labor and Delivery wing. I was given nifedipine to hault contractions and took this medication every 12 hours for a couple of weeks. This drug worked wonders however if I was even 30 minutes late taking my scheduled dose, I would immediately start having more intense contractions. There were days that the medication didn't quite work creating a revisit to the hospital for different drugs to prevent labor. Nifedipine was the drug I was on up until I delivered.
My contractions never really subsided even on the medications. The severity of the contractions would vary and when severe (once at 5 minutes apart) I would end up in the hospital for more monitoring, more drugs, but always allowed to come home.
I would say I visited the hospital about 10 times in the weeks leading up to delivery. It was fun for Ed and I to take bets as to if it would be the day we'd finally get to meet our little ones.
My contractions never really subsided even on the medications. The severity of the contractions would vary and when severe (once at 5 minutes apart) I would end up in the hospital for more monitoring, more drugs, but always allowed to come home.
I would say I visited the hospital about 10 times in the weeks leading up to delivery. It was fun for Ed and I to take bets as to if it would be the day we'd finally get to meet our little ones.
Bedrest (August - October delivery)
After my August release (see prior blog entry) I was on strict bedrest. This may sound appealing to many readers however there is something about being forced to stay down that drives one nuts. This is what happened to me. The walls of my large house became to cave in on me and I quickly became miserable. All I could think of was the babies room that needed attention and see the dishes that needed washing or putting away. Plus being locked up in our home with all the xbox, wii, dvd's, cable, on-demand, and netflix didn't do it for me either. Truth is I was sick of not contributing or not having any control.
After noticing this and a talk with my doctor, I rented a wheelchair. The wheelchair allowed me to wheel around the kitchen island and perform tasks like unloading the dishwasher (dishes to the island only), wash dishes, make a sandwich, etc. I was also able to pick up using an arm extender.
After noticing this and a talk with my doctor, I rented a wheelchair. The wheelchair allowed me to wheel around the kitchen island and perform tasks like unloading the dishwasher (dishes to the island only), wash dishes, make a sandwich, etc. I was also able to pick up using an arm extender.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Membrane Rupture, August 2010
In mid-late August at 26 weeks, I had a membrane (amniotic) rupture requiring hospitalization. It all started when I was experiencing severe back pain that I attributed to my growing a big belly. Later that night we thought a warm bath might alleviate the pain. I loved that bath because it did take away all the pain and ache.
Later that evening I noticed some extra water which continued throughout the evening. I still thought this was due to the bath waters so I didn't worry. I was alarmed the next morning when I noticed a red discharge.
My doctor was actually more worried about the excess water and quickly tested it for amniotic fluids. I was stunned when it came back positive.
Once I was admitted to the hospital and they began monitoring, I was shocked to learn I was having contractions every 5 minutes. I then realized the back pain were contractions. My doctor told me I would be hospitalized until the babies were born and they would do everything to keep the babies from being born before 34 weeks.
On that first day I was given magnesium, steroids, indomethacin, and nifedipine. The magnesium was hell with excessive flushing, hot flashes, and general crappiness. We were told this would help protect the babies brains. The steroids would boost the babies development, to some degree. The indomethacin and nifedipine were administered to stop the contractions.
I was also on strict bedrest because we were unsure if I would begin active labor. Thankfully I didn't and was transferred to the high risk wing. My fluid loss was watched closely by the hour. For the first couple of days there was a definite loss of fluids and one day I started to bleed with severe pain. Because I had to have a c-section, the doctors were very close to taking me to the OR. Again, thankfully it all subsided maybe with help from drugs (I just don't remember). Miraculously, the fluid loss lessened and lessened with each passing day where it totally disappeared. My doctors were surprised when they realized the rupture might have sealed on its own, something that rarely happens.
After 6 days of no fluid loss, I asked to be released. After a cervix check it was confirmed that the ruptured bag had indeed sealed.
The doctors told me the cause of the rupture was an infection. My body contracted an infection which is tried to fight by attempting to expel anything foreign.
Later that evening I noticed some extra water which continued throughout the evening. I still thought this was due to the bath waters so I didn't worry. I was alarmed the next morning when I noticed a red discharge.
My doctor was actually more worried about the excess water and quickly tested it for amniotic fluids. I was stunned when it came back positive.
Once I was admitted to the hospital and they began monitoring, I was shocked to learn I was having contractions every 5 minutes. I then realized the back pain were contractions. My doctor told me I would be hospitalized until the babies were born and they would do everything to keep the babies from being born before 34 weeks.
On that first day I was given magnesium, steroids, indomethacin, and nifedipine. The magnesium was hell with excessive flushing, hot flashes, and general crappiness. We were told this would help protect the babies brains. The steroids would boost the babies development, to some degree. The indomethacin and nifedipine were administered to stop the contractions.
I was also on strict bedrest because we were unsure if I would begin active labor. Thankfully I didn't and was transferred to the high risk wing. My fluid loss was watched closely by the hour. For the first couple of days there was a definite loss of fluids and one day I started to bleed with severe pain. Because I had to have a c-section, the doctors were very close to taking me to the OR. Again, thankfully it all subsided maybe with help from drugs (I just don't remember). Miraculously, the fluid loss lessened and lessened with each passing day where it totally disappeared. My doctors were surprised when they realized the rupture might have sealed on its own, something that rarely happens.
After 6 days of no fluid loss, I asked to be released. After a cervix check it was confirmed that the ruptured bag had indeed sealed.
The doctors told me the cause of the rupture was an infection. My body contracted an infection which is tried to fight by attempting to expel anything foreign.
Wow, it's been awhile!
I just realized so much has happened since my last post in August including the birth of our precious little ones, Mia and Edward. I will work on updating this blog for those of you going venturing through infertility or have a general curiousity. It will take awhile to update this blog as the twins keep me pretty busy. I will try to remember as many details as possible but please forgive me if they are light.
Announcement
Script Twins Yellow Birth Announcement
Find hundreds of elegant baby birth announcements at Shutterfly.com.
View the entire collection of cards.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
25 week belly
Just wanted to quickly post this picture. It was taken in the hallway of our high risk doctors office on Tuesday. What I love about this picture other than Mia and EJ is the tiny doorway. These itty bitty doorways are all throughout this hall.
Our doctors visit went great. We were able to see our kiddos again and their measurements were taken. Our son is measuring 1 pound 13 ounces and our daughter is measuring 1 pound 9 ounces which is slightly ahead of the 25 weeks.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The big date: November 4
The c-section has been scheduled for Thursday, November 4th at 7:30 am. We will check in at 5:30 am at Sutter Memorial.
All we need is for Mia and E.J. to stay warm and cozy inside of mom until then.
All we need is for Mia and E.J. to stay warm and cozy inside of mom until then.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Gettin' ready for babies
Ed and I found this gender neutral bedding that we love. The bears are adorable and they match the crib well. Our kiddos will share one crib for as long as possible. When were ready to buy another crib we'll update with a version of the same bedding but in pink.
Everything else is going great. I am 23 weeks pregnant yesterday and except for feeling this extra weight and a bit tired, I'm doing pretty well. If you're curious a what my belly looks like imagine 45 inches around your waist. We measure often especially after "growing weekends" when I feel a lot of action and I'm exhausted with multiple naps throughout the day.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Wowza!!
We are feeling so blessed today.
Our 2nd visit to the perinatologist went great today. There is no evidence of the uterine clot thanks to the extra folic acid and vitamin c.
In addition to that my cervix looks "beautiful" meaning it's "nice and long and closed". No evidence or worry of any pre-term labor just yet.
Oh yeah, we found out the sexes!! We've been blessed with a beautiful BOY and GIRL! We are in a bit of shock still but would be regardless of the sexes. It just feels more real today.
We head back to the OB in 2 weeks and the perinatologist in 5 weeks.
Good night everyone.
Our 2nd visit to the perinatologist went great today. There is no evidence of the uterine clot thanks to the extra folic acid and vitamin c.
In addition to that my cervix looks "beautiful" meaning it's "nice and long and closed". No evidence or worry of any pre-term labor just yet.
Oh yeah, we found out the sexes!! We've been blessed with a beautiful BOY and GIRL! We are in a bit of shock still but would be regardless of the sexes. It just feels more real today.
We head back to the OB in 2 weeks and the perinatologist in 5 weeks.
Good night everyone.
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