If someone had told me, nearly two weeks ago, that I would be less than 48 hours away from 34 weeks, that my boys would be kicking away at the ipad as I wrote these words, that my doctor would be talking about whether next week we should be thinking about delivering regardless of how my pe is going because 34 is a good stage for the boys, and Dancer might grow faster on the outside...well, it would feel like a happy impossible dream. But here I am.
It's been hard to update, when Earl is here, I don't want to blog on his ipad, I want to talk with him. But I thought it was time for some news.
The roller coaster continued. Over the weekend bloods suggested my pe was getting worse, and doc said that if I had another high reading we would deliver Monday/Tuesday. My panic was short lived, for my bloods were great! Dopplers, CTG, blood pressure, everything suggests my pe is slow moving. So my doc will talk on Friday (34 week!!!!!!!!!!) with her team and decide if we pick a delivery date. So it looks like next week might be the week.
Everyone has been amazing. Dad visits every day. My mother in law and sister in law put together what would be my hospital bag. My BFF keeps offering me random baby stuff. Facebook is a sea of well wishes and prayer.
I get bored, but I don't care. My boys are growing and we are almost 34 weeks. It's remarkable!
My belly is huge, my GD is really annoyed (hypo-ing regularly). I'm sleeping okay. Weight is 84 kgs- 16 up. I crave anything with spices because hospital food is so bland. Boys move all the time, and have reputations for being naughty because they move so much when we measure their heart rates! That is my limited update for this week :)
Thanks for your support!
LG
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
33 weeks :)
Yes, you heard it here first! We made it to 33. I am so amazed and thankful. Hospital stay is now 9 days in. Blood pressure is down, boys are still happy.
Dancer is now at 10th percentile. But my doc is satisfied that while he's still growing and having good dopplers and CTGs, that he is better in than out. Now 34 weeks seems a real possibility. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, I keep imagining we make it even further and keep the boys out of the special care nursery but I think it's important not to get my hopes too high on that unlikely outcome.
Hospital is weird. I love the midwives, they take amazing care of me. I have been having lots of lovely visits from friends and family. My room has a gorgeous view, and it's nice having regular updates on the boys. That's the good.
The bad? The food got old very quickly. I miss so much. Everyone else is cleaning my house (okay, that good!). And Earl and I only see each other for a few hours a day. That is the worst. Particularly because when I'm a bit freaked out by slow heart rates or a doctor says things and I don't know how to read it, I miss him! I'm used to this being a team thing and hospital is a lonely place.
But I'm so aware how lucky I am.
My room mate was just diagnosed with pe at 28 weeks. I can't even imagine it. I feel so bad. I'm going well, feeling great, my boys are well, and I'm surrounded by friends and family. I feel guilty that not everyone has such a good go with this.
Thanks for all the well wishes. I'm sorry I can't comment on your blogs. I'm so psyched about D baby B and Ready for my turns twins. I'm praying for those of you finding it tough.
33 today, what a miracle!
LG
Dancer is now at 10th percentile. But my doc is satisfied that while he's still growing and having good dopplers and CTGs, that he is better in than out. Now 34 weeks seems a real possibility. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, I keep imagining we make it even further and keep the boys out of the special care nursery but I think it's important not to get my hopes too high on that unlikely outcome.
Hospital is weird. I love the midwives, they take amazing care of me. I have been having lots of lovely visits from friends and family. My room has a gorgeous view, and it's nice having regular updates on the boys. That's the good.
The bad? The food got old very quickly. I miss so much. Everyone else is cleaning my house (okay, that good!). And Earl and I only see each other for a few hours a day. That is the worst. Particularly because when I'm a bit freaked out by slow heart rates or a doctor says things and I don't know how to read it, I miss him! I'm used to this being a team thing and hospital is a lonely place.
But I'm so aware how lucky I am.
My room mate was just diagnosed with pe at 28 weeks. I can't even imagine it. I feel so bad. I'm going well, feeling great, my boys are well, and I'm surrounded by friends and family. I feel guilty that not everyone has such a good go with this.
Thanks for all the well wishes. I'm sorry I can't comment on your blogs. I'm so psyched about D baby B and Ready for my turns twins. I'm praying for those of you finding it tough.
33 today, what a miracle!
LG
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Waiting game
With nearly 48 hours of processing, life is feeling a little less crazy than it was on Friday.
We are now 32 weeks and two days, and so far blood pressure and protein levels are stable.
I'm getting used to being in the same room all the time, and being on what is functionally bed rest. It is a beautiful room, bright, with a lovely view out the window. Earl and I got permission for him to take outside in the wheel chair, which felt like the most amazing date.
I am over hospital food. Mum and dad are in charge of bringing me some interesting dinner. My sister in law has already bought me some new maternity clothes and some bath products.
Boys hearts and movement have been perfect. The big question is dancers growth, which we won't know until Wednesday.
The doc says, there is no planning possible, because pre eclampsia can turn so quickly. I'm telling Earl to stay close, I'm terrified I will need an emergency Caesar before he gets there.
We did a tour of the special care nursery. Such little babies. Made it all seem real. But everyone is so positive given their age, and so I am feeling better and better.
This morning I was woken up by a beautiful sunrise. I thought "one more day, they made it one more day". And I thought about what the Bible says, about God's mercy being new every morning.
And I was happy.
LG
We are now 32 weeks and two days, and so far blood pressure and protein levels are stable.
I'm getting used to being in the same room all the time, and being on what is functionally bed rest. It is a beautiful room, bright, with a lovely view out the window. Earl and I got permission for him to take outside in the wheel chair, which felt like the most amazing date.
I am over hospital food. Mum and dad are in charge of bringing me some interesting dinner. My sister in law has already bought me some new maternity clothes and some bath products.
Boys hearts and movement have been perfect. The big question is dancers growth, which we won't know until Wednesday.
The doc says, there is no planning possible, because pre eclampsia can turn so quickly. I'm telling Earl to stay close, I'm terrified I will need an emergency Caesar before he gets there.
We did a tour of the special care nursery. Such little babies. Made it all seem real. But everyone is so positive given their age, and so I am feeling better and better.
This morning I was woken up by a beautiful sunrise. I thought "one more day, they made it one more day". And I thought about what the Bible says, about God's mercy being new every morning.
And I was happy.
LG
Friday, April 19, 2013
Big week and the impending arrival
I don't know really how to start this post. I guess I'll just try to explain all that's happen over the last 48 hours.
On Wednesday morning we went in for our routine dopplers and CEG scan of the babies. I had actually been feeling really ordinary, including a little bit of blurred vision. I thought, better safe than sorry, and asked for a blood pressure test.
It came back a little high, and so the nurses decided to keep me at the hospital for the afternoon to see if it went down. They also got a sample of pee so they could check for protein in my urine.
Earl went home at this point, neither of us were worried, and we thought he could pick me up afterwards and get some work done.
That afternoon at about 5pm they admitted me to hospital for a 24 hour urine test. My urine had contained protein and they were worried about pre-eclapcia.
It was the strangest thing. To go from the routine trip, to suddenly being put in a hospital room with no real information of when you would get out. And for all the worries about the boys to suddenly move to the background and it be me that might be the problem.
Yesterday (Thursday) was a nightmare. Not only was I collecting Urine, having regular blood pressure tests, and seeing a million people, they kept doing CEGs that didn't work. Not that the babies were in danger, they just kept moving or not moving at the right time, and they struggled to tell the difference between the two twins. I had 7 different "attempts" at CEGs (CEGs are where they put little paddles on the belly to measure the heart rates. They can take 10 minutes but both mean they that it often takes 30-40 minutes). My last CEG was at 12:30 at night. I was so over being there, it didn't seem like anything was wrong, and I just wanted to go home.
But this would not be the case.
At about 3pm this arvo, I was officially diagnosed with pre-eclapcia. So I am in hospital until these boys are born, and the doctor we saw today is guessing that will be Wednesday.
Basically, both me and Dancer are ticking time bombs. Some time, most likely in the next week, one of us will be struggling to the point where they need to deliver. So, we have made it to 32 weeks, but it's unlikely we will make it to 33.
I am incredibly overwhelmed. I don't know how to think. I am so glad the boys are getting the care they need, and in some ways 32 is what we have always been aiming for. But it is still huge, huge to think about our boys being out 5 weeks before term, and spending their first months in NICU.
Please pray, both for me and my boys. Pray that we are all as healthy as we can be, and that when ever the boys come out is the best time.
I will do my best to update. It's hard because I don't have internet on anything but my phone, I'm just writing on Earl's ipad right now.
Keep thinking of us and our boys.
love LG
On Wednesday morning we went in for our routine dopplers and CEG scan of the babies. I had actually been feeling really ordinary, including a little bit of blurred vision. I thought, better safe than sorry, and asked for a blood pressure test.
It came back a little high, and so the nurses decided to keep me at the hospital for the afternoon to see if it went down. They also got a sample of pee so they could check for protein in my urine.
Earl went home at this point, neither of us were worried, and we thought he could pick me up afterwards and get some work done.
That afternoon at about 5pm they admitted me to hospital for a 24 hour urine test. My urine had contained protein and they were worried about pre-eclapcia.
It was the strangest thing. To go from the routine trip, to suddenly being put in a hospital room with no real information of when you would get out. And for all the worries about the boys to suddenly move to the background and it be me that might be the problem.
Yesterday (Thursday) was a nightmare. Not only was I collecting Urine, having regular blood pressure tests, and seeing a million people, they kept doing CEGs that didn't work. Not that the babies were in danger, they just kept moving or not moving at the right time, and they struggled to tell the difference between the two twins. I had 7 different "attempts" at CEGs (CEGs are where they put little paddles on the belly to measure the heart rates. They can take 10 minutes but both mean they that it often takes 30-40 minutes). My last CEG was at 12:30 at night. I was so over being there, it didn't seem like anything was wrong, and I just wanted to go home.
But this would not be the case.
At about 3pm this arvo, I was officially diagnosed with pre-eclapcia. So I am in hospital until these boys are born, and the doctor we saw today is guessing that will be Wednesday.
Basically, both me and Dancer are ticking time bombs. Some time, most likely in the next week, one of us will be struggling to the point where they need to deliver. So, we have made it to 32 weeks, but it's unlikely we will make it to 33.
I am incredibly overwhelmed. I don't know how to think. I am so glad the boys are getting the care they need, and in some ways 32 is what we have always been aiming for. But it is still huge, huge to think about our boys being out 5 weeks before term, and spending their first months in NICU.
Please pray, both for me and my boys. Pray that we are all as healthy as we can be, and that when ever the boys come out is the best time.
I will do my best to update. It's hard because I don't have internet on anything but my phone, I'm just writing on Earl's ipad right now.
Keep thinking of us and our boys.
love LG
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
That point when your body starts complaining
I've reached that point.
That point where my body starts reacting to the fact that there is one extra baby in there.
Earl commented today, I've done pregnancy pretty well. I've had some stresses, but I've been happy and healthy. But starting yesterday, on my birthday, I began to notice things.
Hip pain. Aches that are present most of the time and not just the end of the day. Heart burn that came out of no where, not the heart ache kind but the fire in my throat. Belly just starting to feel too big.
I feel like I'm in twin land.
It's funny, I will be having scans every two days, excluding weekends where the gap will be three days. I wondered about updating. Do I say on this blog. Do I text family members? Maybe I'll play it by ear.
But so far so good. My first scan, on my birthday, and they looked great. And so I tick off another week. Because even if tomorrow's scan show we need to do something, we'll still make 32 weeks on Friday. 32 weeks. Every day counts.
It's weird. Life is kinda on hold. On hold until the next scan/test.
And I'm happy with that. Stay in boys, heartburn and everything!
LG
That point where my body starts reacting to the fact that there is one extra baby in there.
Earl commented today, I've done pregnancy pretty well. I've had some stresses, but I've been happy and healthy. But starting yesterday, on my birthday, I began to notice things.
Hip pain. Aches that are present most of the time and not just the end of the day. Heart burn that came out of no where, not the heart ache kind but the fire in my throat. Belly just starting to feel too big.
I feel like I'm in twin land.
It's funny, I will be having scans every two days, excluding weekends where the gap will be three days. I wondered about updating. Do I say on this blog. Do I text family members? Maybe I'll play it by ear.
But so far so good. My first scan, on my birthday, and they looked great. And so I tick off another week. Because even if tomorrow's scan show we need to do something, we'll still make 32 weeks on Friday. 32 weeks. Every day counts.
It's weird. Life is kinda on hold. On hold until the next scan/test.
And I'm happy with that. Stay in boys, heartburn and everything!
LG
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Random thoughts coz I feel like blogging
While we were away on holidays, my snoring got too bad for Earl and he ended up sleeping in the other room. And even after we got home, that first night (just after we got alarmed by the doctors call), he went and slept on the couch. I was devastated. I have this weird thing about separate beds, like it's a form of rejection. Anyway, on Saturday, after talking with the nice doctor, and hearing what we had to do for the boys, I realised I was going overboard. That a well rested Earl was good for the journey ahead, and I was being over dramatic. So I said to Earl, you do what you need. But last night we lasted the whole night in the same bed. I think now my cold is gone I'm a little bearable again!
Our time away was so needed. We've been very appreciative and lovey dovey since our return. It's been a hectic, stressful, hormonal time, and it was nice to be reminded how much we love each others company.
So, I had my second steroid injection today. It's strange, I have read three different triplet blogs, so I've always know about these precautionary measures. I think I had in my head a night in hospital ad an IV drip. A big scary deal. But it was so simple, just a needle. 3 years of IVF I guess these things don't phase me.
The nurse warned that I might get some high blood sugar readings as a side affect of the steroids. They have been Crazy high! I've put my insulin up for now, but am going to ask the diabetes nurse for advice.
My friend who has been dying for a kick finally felt one. These babies are so loved, by so many people.
I've been reading lots of forums on 32 week twin births. I know I could find it super tough to be separated form my boys if they go to NICU. Trying to be optimist but prepared "alert but not alarmed" our doctor put it. My dad talked with a friend who used to be a neonatal nurse, and was very relieved to hear the positive prognosis, particularly with the steroids.
I am excited and nervous but strangely not afraid. Oh, and tomorrow is my birthday.
My first birthday with my boys. Amazing!
LG
Our time away was so needed. We've been very appreciative and lovey dovey since our return. It's been a hectic, stressful, hormonal time, and it was nice to be reminded how much we love each others company.
So, I had my second steroid injection today. It's strange, I have read three different triplet blogs, so I've always know about these precautionary measures. I think I had in my head a night in hospital ad an IV drip. A big scary deal. But it was so simple, just a needle. 3 years of IVF I guess these things don't phase me.
The nurse warned that I might get some high blood sugar readings as a side affect of the steroids. They have been Crazy high! I've put my insulin up for now, but am going to ask the diabetes nurse for advice.
My friend who has been dying for a kick finally felt one. These babies are so loved, by so many people.
I've been reading lots of forums on 32 week twin births. I know I could find it super tough to be separated form my boys if they go to NICU. Trying to be optimist but prepared "alert but not alarmed" our doctor put it. My dad talked with a friend who used to be a neonatal nurse, and was very relieved to hear the positive prognosis, particularly with the steroids.
I am excited and nervous but strangely not afraid. Oh, and tomorrow is my birthday.
My first birthday with my boys. Amazing!
LG
Friday, April 12, 2013
What a difference a good doctor makes!
Well, the good news is my boys have rock star heart rates. The midwife wanted resting and active and they did us proud. Weirdest discovery, what I thought was BH kicking was actually Dancer head banging! The humorous side of overlapping twins.
We also got a lovely doctor come and explain things to us, and that has made the world of difference.
Basically, she has warned us that our twins are unlikely to make it to term. She encouraged us to reset the mark in our minds, that if they make 34 weeks that is awesome. And every week we get is good for the boys. They are monitoring three times a week (heart rate and dopplers) so that if one gets distress or struggles, then there is plenty of time to get them out. She has given me the first dose of steroids, not because she thinks they are coming out tomorrow, but because it can only benefit them to have their lungs ready to go. Next dose is tomorrow.
If you told me Thursday all this, I would have been devastated. But after all the stress of yesterday, I will take this. Of course I don't want my boys in NICU, but if that is where they will be healthiest, then that is what I will prepare for.
Earl asked about whether we might be told after a scan that they had to come out right away, the doc said unlikely. She said its more likely to be, in three days time we will book your C section. This also relieves me, it just sounds like we will have notice for anything that might happen.
Strangest reaction. My mum in law. She is excited! Her grand boys could be only three weeks away. She is such an optimist!
I am also optimistic. My boys are such great fighters. I believe they have a few good weeks of health ahead of them, before we need to think through alternatives.
Love LG
We also got a lovely doctor come and explain things to us, and that has made the world of difference.
Basically, she has warned us that our twins are unlikely to make it to term. She encouraged us to reset the mark in our minds, that if they make 34 weeks that is awesome. And every week we get is good for the boys. They are monitoring three times a week (heart rate and dopplers) so that if one gets distress or struggles, then there is plenty of time to get them out. She has given me the first dose of steroids, not because she thinks they are coming out tomorrow, but because it can only benefit them to have their lungs ready to go. Next dose is tomorrow.
If you told me Thursday all this, I would have been devastated. But after all the stress of yesterday, I will take this. Of course I don't want my boys in NICU, but if that is where they will be healthiest, then that is what I will prepare for.
Earl asked about whether we might be told after a scan that they had to come out right away, the doc said unlikely. She said its more likely to be, in three days time we will book your C section. This also relieves me, it just sounds like we will have notice for anything that might happen.
Strangest reaction. My mum in law. She is excited! Her grand boys could be only three weeks away. She is such an optimist!
I am also optimistic. My boys are such great fighters. I believe they have a few good weeks of health ahead of them, before we need to think through alternatives.
Love LG
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