The Joys of Pregnancy

I love being pregnant.  Life creating life.  It's just amazing.  Sure I'm a little more tired and hungry, but being pregnant allows me to focus on me.  Having a 3 year old doesn't always lend to complete focus, but remembering that I am not only a mother to him, but also to the twins growing inside I strive to find that balance.  I love witnessing the changes in my body.  The growth of my belly, the tenderness of my breasts, the new limits of what I am capable of doing.  Its all apart of bringing 2 health babies into the world

Yesterday I had a ultrasound checking their growth and blood flow.  They each weigh 1 lbs, 1 oz.  They are very active keeping me company all the time.  

Although this pregnancy is much more complicated than my son's, I am trying to soak up every moment of it.  Enjoying all the movements and the changes.  Enjoying being pregnant.  I always say if I would have known how much fun pregnancy and motherhood are I would have done it earlier, but I believe the reason why it is so much fun is that I waited.  

Fetal Doppler

A few weeks ago I rented one of those fetal dopplers from Stork Radio.  I started feeling movement at 13 weeks, but it wasn't consistent.  What a great thing to feel movement so early, but then when it is not consistent you can't depend on it to know the babies are ok.  Funny enough since I got the doppler I don't use it that often.  I always feel them move so I don't even really need it, but just having it in my house is reassuring.  Silly, I know.

Hospital & NICU tour

On Friday we toured the hospital where I will give birth and the NICU where the twins may stay.  It is very nice facility and the 1st thing I noticed was how incredibly friendly the staff was.  I'm not in all hospitals all that often, but I don't ever recall being greeted so warmly by the staff that weren't sitting at the information desk.  That was really nice.  

The hardest part was walking down the hall to the NICU.  There is a beautiful wall of framed photos and gifts expressing thanks to the wonderful staff at the NICU from families whose babies spent time there.  Beautiful stories and beautiful babies.  I couldn't help but cry.  I have a lot of time to get used to the idea that my babies may (and I do say may, because while the odds are in favor of the NICU it is NOT a for sure thing) spend time there.  Tubes coming out of their tiny little bodies, IVs in their arms, oxygen...I'm just not ready for that.  I do need to come to grips that it might happen.  I am trying.  I am trying to get to a point where I understand that this is apart of the process to bring home to healthy bouncing baby boys, but I am not there yet.

I was a preemie.  While I was able to come home initially, I had to go back to the hospital for several weeks.  My parents tell me this story all the time sharing how much they love me and why they are so thankful for me.  But the other side of the story is how heartbroken my mom was leaving her tiny baby at the hospital.  I've been told this story at least once a year for the past 30+ years.  It is apart of who I am.  Now to think I may have to go throw what my mom went through.......just hurts.

During my tour I did get to talk to the director of the NICU and she was amazing.  I know if they have to spend time there that they will be in good hands.  We talked about breastfeeding, visiting, and to my delight kangaroo care.  She was supportive and informative and offered to be available for any questions that may come up before and after the babies are here.

Sulindac

The perinatologist would like to start me on a drug called Sulindac.  Sulindac is non stereodial anti-inflammatory drug.  While not its primary role, it has been used to help treat pre term labor and in decreasing the amniotic fluid level in mom pregnancies.  

Not being much of a "drug" user, the decision on whether to go on Sulindac is not an easy one to make.  Because there are so few momo twins we are basing our decision on the limited information we have and the experience of my health care providers.  By decreasing the fluid, the babies would have less room to maneuver in therefore limiting their ability to further tangle their cords.