Friday, April 15, 2011
Appt Update- Good News!
Yesterday I had an OB appt and GOOD NEWS.... my cervix lengthened to 2.5cm (was 1cm upon admission to the hospital)!!! She didn't disturb the cervix to check for dilation but it looked closed on the u/s and definitely didn't look worse.... but much better. Actually the funnel at the top looks a lot smaller. My OB thinks the bedrest is what has helped. She wants me to continue to bedrest. I was thankful b/c I was just hoping it wasn't worse and they might re-admit me to the hospital. Ughh!! So good to know the bedrest efforts seem to be helping!!! She did give me a prescription for a medication to stop contractions if they start happening frequently. But so far all has been quiet!! My next appt is Monday at the perinatologist.
Monday, April 11, 2011
I'm home!!
I did get discharged home from the hospital yesterday!!! It is nice to be home, so tempting to get up though!! There's so much to do- especially since we just moved.... it's so hard! I want to get all organized!! But I know I will get in trouble if with my husband if I do anything....and of course I don't want any regrets either. My in-laws are here right now. They are helpful with my son and have done some unpacking and organizing throughout the house, but I know my mom will be more on top of it when she comes on Wednesday. My mom is super organized :) I feel like she'll take better care of me too. Can't wait for her to get here!!
My next appt is Thursday at my OB. So it will be interesting to see if she scans my cervix!! I wonder what it is doing??? Will update if anything new happens and how my OB appt goes Thursday!!
My next appt is Thursday at my OB. So it will be interesting to see if she scans my cervix!! I wonder what it is doing??? Will update if anything new happens and how my OB appt goes Thursday!!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Go home??
Yesterday morning when the perinatologist visited me he said I may be able to get to go home today! They had me on motrin around the clock to keep my uterus calm, but if it stays calm without the motrin (which they stopped yesterday) then I can go home. The nurses check my contractions and monitor the babies about every 6 hours. My uterus has been remained calm :)
The peri says the fetal fibronectin swab is still very accurate with twins (5% negative error rates vs 1% negative error rate with singleton). So there's a very good chance I won't have these babies for about 2wks from the swab (they did the swab Wed night). So that's very reassuring. He says that there's 50% chance I'll have the babies before 34wks...so 50% chance I'll have them after 34wks :)
They're not fully certain how to treat a shortened cervix... bedrest is not proven but it's all they know to do. There's other options like vaginal progesterone to help the cervix(but I may be too late gestational wise for that and it doesn't work the same with twins), there's a cerclage but that's also not as successful with twins and I am also too far along for that. He sounded pretty confident I'd go home today if my uterus was quiet and no other symptoms- cramping or bleeding, etc. I will still be on bedrest, but it would be nice to be home :)
Will update later today!!
Here's a recent belly pic from earlier this week:
The peri says the fetal fibronectin swab is still very accurate with twins (5% negative error rates vs 1% negative error rate with singleton). So there's a very good chance I won't have these babies for about 2wks from the swab (they did the swab Wed night). So that's very reassuring. He says that there's 50% chance I'll have the babies before 34wks...so 50% chance I'll have them after 34wks :)
They're not fully certain how to treat a shortened cervix... bedrest is not proven but it's all they know to do. There's other options like vaginal progesterone to help the cervix(but I may be too late gestational wise for that and it doesn't work the same with twins), there's a cerclage but that's also not as successful with twins and I am also too far along for that. He sounded pretty confident I'd go home today if my uterus was quiet and no other symptoms- cramping or bleeding, etc. I will still be on bedrest, but it would be nice to be home :)
Will update later today!!
Here's a recent belly pic from earlier this week:
Friday, April 8, 2011
Admitted!!
I was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday evening after my 4pm appt at the perinatologist. My cervix is now at 1.0cm!! The peri sent me straight to the hospital for monitoring and bedrest. I am not showing other signs of labor- so that's good. The fetal fibronectin swab was negative- reassuring to get a negative swab indicating I shouldn't go into labor in the next 2wks(although possibly not as accurate with twins).
The babies both look great... they did a growth scan quickly before I left to the hospital... both babies are estimated to be 2lbs 9oz. The peri thinks I could be admitted for about 2wks, but all depends on how things are going. The Dr's keep reminding me that it is great I am almost 28wks (turn 28wks Sat) instead of 24wks or less. Babies have a great chance of doing well even at 28wks with low chance of long term complications- especially when comparing to 24wks. Yesterday morning I was checked internally and the peri says I am 2cm dilated!! Ughh. She was even considering letting me go home if I wasn't dilated. She says I'll at least stay another week, probably two but maybe could go home in a week if my cervix hasn't changed.
I haven't updated on how this all unfolded in the last weeks... so at 25wks I went to the peri's office and had a cervical scan and my cervix had changed from about 4.0cm to a 3.1cm. I was concerned about the change in just a week but he wasn't at all. He said anything over 2.5cm is great and not to worry. So I went on my way!! The next week at 26wks I went to my OB and she scanned the cervix which still was 3.1cm but was concerned about the shortening from the previous 4.0cm. She knew I have a job on my feet (I am a nurse- work part time about 24hrs/week). So she put me on disability. I was quite upset, not sure what to think about the conflicting opinions of the peri and my OB. I wasn't ready to leave work! I stressed over it that entire day, called HR to learn about my leave and how all of that works, etc. I called my husband's cousin who is an OB and got her take on my situation. She didn't seem concerned since my cervix was long and closed at 3.1. She said I could still work too. The next morning I called my OB again and talked it over and decided to go with their recommendations and go off work. It wasn't an easy decision especially when they peri said everything is fine.
So I went off work that week and rested more. My OB wanted me to be on modified bed rest which she described for me as just "taking it easy" I could still take care of my son, go to the store, etc. But try to keep my feet up and rest as much as I could. And no work!! I followed those instructions and also kept the peri's opinion in mind so maybe did a little more than my OB would have wanted.
At 27wks 4 days is when I went to the peri and found out my cervix had now shortened even more and here I am at 27wks 6 days laying in my hospital bed. Ughhh! I do feel like I am having a lot less braxton hicks contractions with the bedrest. They monitor me every 8hrs for one hour to check on the babies and measure my contractions. The most contractions I've had is 2 in 1 hr... which is just braxton hicks and totally normal. I got both doses of the steroid shots which help the babies significantly if born in the next couple days.
My inlaws are visiting now to take care of my son and help unpack/organize the house.
So thankful for their help! My mom is coming up in about a week and will probably stay for a long time since no matter what if I go home I will be on bedrest and need the help. We have other offers for help so maybe they can give my mom a break at times and she can go home for a week or so at a time. (she lives about 10hrs drive or 1hr flight away in Southern CA).
So for now- I just wait a week here in the hospital. Glad I have my laptop and internet!!! It's so nice to be able to stay connected on the internet. Can still do my online billing, etc. Can still shop online :) Check on the blogs, post on the forums. Got my phone here- so I've had some nice telephone chats with friends/family. Hasn't been too bad yet although the first day/half I was very emotional about staying here. I guess I will take it day by day and week by week and get through it. I've seen some very encouraging stories of similar situations with cervix shortening/dilating and most have been able to continue to carry for at least another 4-8wks. So that gives me lots of hope!!!
Will keep you all posted :) Thanks for your thoughts and prayers...
The babies both look great... they did a growth scan quickly before I left to the hospital... both babies are estimated to be 2lbs 9oz. The peri thinks I could be admitted for about 2wks, but all depends on how things are going. The Dr's keep reminding me that it is great I am almost 28wks (turn 28wks Sat) instead of 24wks or less. Babies have a great chance of doing well even at 28wks with low chance of long term complications- especially when comparing to 24wks. Yesterday morning I was checked internally and the peri says I am 2cm dilated!! Ughh. She was even considering letting me go home if I wasn't dilated. She says I'll at least stay another week, probably two but maybe could go home in a week if my cervix hasn't changed.
I haven't updated on how this all unfolded in the last weeks... so at 25wks I went to the peri's office and had a cervical scan and my cervix had changed from about 4.0cm to a 3.1cm. I was concerned about the change in just a week but he wasn't at all. He said anything over 2.5cm is great and not to worry. So I went on my way!! The next week at 26wks I went to my OB and she scanned the cervix which still was 3.1cm but was concerned about the shortening from the previous 4.0cm. She knew I have a job on my feet (I am a nurse- work part time about 24hrs/week). So she put me on disability. I was quite upset, not sure what to think about the conflicting opinions of the peri and my OB. I wasn't ready to leave work! I stressed over it that entire day, called HR to learn about my leave and how all of that works, etc. I called my husband's cousin who is an OB and got her take on my situation. She didn't seem concerned since my cervix was long and closed at 3.1. She said I could still work too. The next morning I called my OB again and talked it over and decided to go with their recommendations and go off work. It wasn't an easy decision especially when they peri said everything is fine.
So I went off work that week and rested more. My OB wanted me to be on modified bed rest which she described for me as just "taking it easy" I could still take care of my son, go to the store, etc. But try to keep my feet up and rest as much as I could. And no work!! I followed those instructions and also kept the peri's opinion in mind so maybe did a little more than my OB would have wanted.
At 27wks 4 days is when I went to the peri and found out my cervix had now shortened even more and here I am at 27wks 6 days laying in my hospital bed. Ughhh! I do feel like I am having a lot less braxton hicks contractions with the bedrest. They monitor me every 8hrs for one hour to check on the babies and measure my contractions. The most contractions I've had is 2 in 1 hr... which is just braxton hicks and totally normal. I got both doses of the steroid shots which help the babies significantly if born in the next couple days.
My inlaws are visiting now to take care of my son and help unpack/organize the house.
So thankful for their help! My mom is coming up in about a week and will probably stay for a long time since no matter what if I go home I will be on bedrest and need the help. We have other offers for help so maybe they can give my mom a break at times and she can go home for a week or so at a time. (she lives about 10hrs drive or 1hr flight away in Southern CA).
So for now- I just wait a week here in the hospital. Glad I have my laptop and internet!!! It's so nice to be able to stay connected on the internet. Can still do my online billing, etc. Can still shop online :) Check on the blogs, post on the forums. Got my phone here- so I've had some nice telephone chats with friends/family. Hasn't been too bad yet although the first day/half I was very emotional about staying here. I guess I will take it day by day and week by week and get through it. I've seen some very encouraging stories of similar situations with cervix shortening/dilating and most have been able to continue to carry for at least another 4-8wks. So that gives me lots of hope!!!
Will keep you all posted :) Thanks for your thoughts and prayers...
Monday, March 28, 2011
26 weeks
26 weeks!! Time is flying by! My belly feels big, but not too uncomfortable yet. I am sleeping fine and doing ok! I still need to add another belly pic! I'll try to take one today and add it :)
At the end of my 24th week I had a growth scan of the little ones.. the babies looked good! Baby B (boy) was 1lb 10oz. Baby A (girl) was 1lb 7oz!! They have checked my cervix twice and it's staying long and closed so they aren't concerned. If it's long at closed at almost 26wks then the risk is low that there will be cervix issues.
As far as baby planning- we finally got our stroller!! So excited about it because for a double stroller it doesn't feel huge at all.... it's the Baby Jogger- City Select model. I like that it can hold two infant car seats. You can arrange the seats in many different configurations too!! It also has a ride along accessory you can buy for an older child to ride on standing. Although our son walks (he is 3.5yrs!) but we often still use a stroller cause he can be slow or gets tired.
I picked out our baby bedding and bought it on sale at Pottery Barn Kids. Started a registry a few weeks ago since I will have a work baby shower and a friend/family baby shower in the next month. Even though we have lots of stuff from our son- we'll need two of some things! And we do need girl clothes!!! :) Not that I haven't been shopping for her!! I feel sort of guilty just shopping for her!! Now and then, I've found something new for our little boy too! But my son has tons of cute clothes for him to wear!
Here's a pic of baby boy last week: (didn't get a good one of baby girl)
At the end of my 24th week I had a growth scan of the little ones.. the babies looked good! Baby B (boy) was 1lb 10oz. Baby A (girl) was 1lb 7oz!! They have checked my cervix twice and it's staying long and closed so they aren't concerned. If it's long at closed at almost 26wks then the risk is low that there will be cervix issues.
As far as baby planning- we finally got our stroller!! So excited about it because for a double stroller it doesn't feel huge at all.... it's the Baby Jogger- City Select model. I like that it can hold two infant car seats. You can arrange the seats in many different configurations too!! It also has a ride along accessory you can buy for an older child to ride on standing. Although our son walks (he is 3.5yrs!) but we often still use a stroller cause he can be slow or gets tired.
I picked out our baby bedding and bought it on sale at Pottery Barn Kids. Started a registry a few weeks ago since I will have a work baby shower and a friend/family baby shower in the next month. Even though we have lots of stuff from our son- we'll need two of some things! And we do need girl clothes!!! :) Not that I haven't been shopping for her!! I feel sort of guilty just shopping for her!! Now and then, I've found something new for our little boy too! But my son has tons of cute clothes for him to wear!
Here's a pic of baby boy last week: (didn't get a good one of baby girl)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Update 24 weeks!!
Hi there! Gosh it's been a month since I've updated!!! Things are going well. I've had lots of ultrasounds (one about every week) mostly to check for heartblock at a more high risk/fancier clinic(due to my sjogrens antibodies which can pass to the baby and possibly cause heartblock). No heartblock has been seen for either baby, but if it does start to show they can give me steroids to treat it. I think the risk is <5% of even having the heartblock, but they are checking just in case. At 22 weeks I had an echo of the babies hearts- all looked good there too!
Today I had my 24 week OB appt, all looked good with the babies, but the top of my cervix is funneling!! So my OB did the fetal fibronectin swab. But my cervix is long and closed at 3.5cm. So she's not too concerned just something to watch. I just got a call that the fFN swab came back negative so that's also reassuring. She says we'd be more concerned about the funneling if my cervix was shortening... I am going to the high risk clinic on Thursday so they will check out the cervix too. I will also be having a growth scan there and the weekly heartblock check. Glad I can get things checked out again and another opinion.
My OB did say to take it easier with the funneling... I have to admit I have been doing a lot this weekend!! We are in the process of moving so I've been packing boxes and cleaning the house so it can be viewed. We are excited about our move though! We're currently renting our home. (we used to be homeowners but sold our home about 2 yrs ago for various reasons). Our lease is about up, so we looked and found something with much more space. Our house we are in right now is pretty small although an old adorable craftman's style home that's been renovated and fully upgraded.... but we really think we'll appreciate double the space at the new home! I just need to keep mind of taking it easy. We have a moving company doing the big move on April 4th, also have friends and family coming to help finish packing and unpacking....so I am able to not over do it!!!!
I've been reading the Dr Luke book that my OB recommended for twins. I'm on track with her weight gain recommendations. She advises that you gain 25 lbs by 20 wks for a twin pregnancy (12lbs for a singleton). I've gained about 30lbs at 24wks so I am on track. Target for 28 weeks is 38 lbs (20lbs for singleton) and total weight gain of 40-56 lbs (25-35lbs for singleton). Research has been shown with this pattern of weight gain that the results are not only bigger birthweights and longer gestations, but also less extra weight postpartum!! By gaining most of your pregnancy weight by 28 weeks, then slowing down from 28 weeks to delivery, much of the weight gain is mobilized, so that there is less to lose in the months after delivery. Pretty interesting, huh?
Dr Luke recommends a variety of supplements in her book. I am following her advice and have been taking all of them for the last few weeks (mag, ca, zinc, vit d, c, e, fish oil). There are various benefits to the supplements but one thing I was most interested in was the prevention of pre-eclampsia. I started to have pre-e at the end of my last pregnancy, so with twins I know I am more at risk.... if these supplements can help...I'm all for it!
Hope to update soon with another belly pic!!
Today I had my 24 week OB appt, all looked good with the babies, but the top of my cervix is funneling!! So my OB did the fetal fibronectin swab. But my cervix is long and closed at 3.5cm. So she's not too concerned just something to watch. I just got a call that the fFN swab came back negative so that's also reassuring. She says we'd be more concerned about the funneling if my cervix was shortening... I am going to the high risk clinic on Thursday so they will check out the cervix too. I will also be having a growth scan there and the weekly heartblock check. Glad I can get things checked out again and another opinion.
My OB did say to take it easier with the funneling... I have to admit I have been doing a lot this weekend!! We are in the process of moving so I've been packing boxes and cleaning the house so it can be viewed. We are excited about our move though! We're currently renting our home. (we used to be homeowners but sold our home about 2 yrs ago for various reasons). Our lease is about up, so we looked and found something with much more space. Our house we are in right now is pretty small although an old adorable craftman's style home that's been renovated and fully upgraded.... but we really think we'll appreciate double the space at the new home! I just need to keep mind of taking it easy. We have a moving company doing the big move on April 4th, also have friends and family coming to help finish packing and unpacking....so I am able to not over do it!!!!
I've been reading the Dr Luke book that my OB recommended for twins. I'm on track with her weight gain recommendations. She advises that you gain 25 lbs by 20 wks for a twin pregnancy (12lbs for a singleton). I've gained about 30lbs at 24wks so I am on track. Target for 28 weeks is 38 lbs (20lbs for singleton) and total weight gain of 40-56 lbs (25-35lbs for singleton). Research has been shown with this pattern of weight gain that the results are not only bigger birthweights and longer gestations, but also less extra weight postpartum!! By gaining most of your pregnancy weight by 28 weeks, then slowing down from 28 weeks to delivery, much of the weight gain is mobilized, so that there is less to lose in the months after delivery. Pretty interesting, huh?
Dr Luke recommends a variety of supplements in her book. I am following her advice and have been taking all of them for the last few weeks (mag, ca, zinc, vit d, c, e, fish oil). There are various benefits to the supplements but one thing I was most interested in was the prevention of pre-eclampsia. I started to have pre-e at the end of my last pregnancy, so with twins I know I am more at risk.... if these supplements can help...I'm all for it!
Hope to update soon with another belly pic!!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day!
Happy Valentine's Day!! We had a special treat for Valentine's today- we got to see our babies!! It was my 20wk "anatomy scan". Both babies looked perfect and they did confirm that it is definitely a boy and a girl!!! My DH and I went to a nice Valentine's breakfast (without our son- so very relaxing :)) before the ultrasound- it was a nice date:)
I was supposed to get an echo of their hearts today but they said at 22wks is better. So I'll go back for that... the reason I thought I was getting an echo on their hearts was because I have "sjogrens" an autoimmune disorder which can cause heartblock in the babies. (It can be treated and is pretty rare- 1-2%) but after talking to the Dr today (we were at a high risk pregnancy type ultrasound place) she said I was having the echo because these babies were conceived via IVF. There is a greater risk for heart defects, which they do not know why. But the risk is still very low (I think 1-2%). This is a new national recommendation which started last year.
But since I have the "sjogrens" the Dr recommends I see them once a week to monitor for heartblock (the sooner they catch it the better and I would be on steroids to treat it). Looks like I'll be getting lots of ultrasounds! They also measured my cervix since it's a twin pregnancy. My cervix was long (4cm) so all looked good there :) A relief to know everything is looking good.
Here's a couple of pictures from today's ultrasound as well as my 20wk belly picture!!!
I was supposed to get an echo of their hearts today but they said at 22wks is better. So I'll go back for that... the reason I thought I was getting an echo on their hearts was because I have "sjogrens" an autoimmune disorder which can cause heartblock in the babies. (It can be treated and is pretty rare- 1-2%) but after talking to the Dr today (we were at a high risk pregnancy type ultrasound place) she said I was having the echo because these babies were conceived via IVF. There is a greater risk for heart defects, which they do not know why. But the risk is still very low (I think 1-2%). This is a new national recommendation which started last year.
But since I have the "sjogrens" the Dr recommends I see them once a week to monitor for heartblock (the sooner they catch it the better and I would be on steroids to treat it). Looks like I'll be getting lots of ultrasounds! They also measured my cervix since it's a twin pregnancy. My cervix was long (4cm) so all looked good there :) A relief to know everything is looking good.
Here's a couple of pictures from today's ultrasound as well as my 20wk belly picture!!!
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