I had an OB appointment today. It went well. I have gained a total of 17 pounds so far this pregnancy, not too bad when I look at the size of my huge belly. I had no sugars or proteins in my urine. My blood pressure is slightly up, but she wasn't worried about it. I asked her about the weird heart issues I have been having, racing, thumping, jumping etc. She, like the Dr last week, told me that it is normal with twins due to the doubling of the amount of blood in my body.Not something to worry about, just annoying. I got to listen to both heartbeats and they sounded great. The babies, like normal, were jumping around in there being crazy monkeys trying to get away from the doppler.
There are 16 days until my first goal of 28 weeks. Twins on average come around 34-35 weeks which is only 8 or 9 weeks from now...
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Welcome...
Welcome to the world Denver and Dawson.
When I was in the hospital for cerclage surgery at 19 weeks, a woman, who has since become an online friend, was in for the same surgery at the IWK too. She was 18 weeks pregnant when she went for her ultrasound on her twins and they discovered her cervix was open and that the membranes were bulging. They did an emergency cerclage (4 days after mine). Since then she has been on total bedrest (bedpans etc.) in an inclined bed. Sunday at 24 weeks 3 days her water broke and her twins were delivered by emergency c-section. Denver Allan weighed 1 lb 10 oz and Dawson Andrew weighed 1 lb 6.5 oz. They came out kicking and crying and 4 days later are still doing okay. They are real little miracles.
When I was in the hospital for cerclage surgery at 19 weeks, a woman, who has since become an online friend, was in for the same surgery at the IWK too. She was 18 weeks pregnant when she went for her ultrasound on her twins and they discovered her cervix was open and that the membranes were bulging. They did an emergency cerclage (4 days after mine). Since then she has been on total bedrest (bedpans etc.) in an inclined bed. Sunday at 24 weeks 3 days her water broke and her twins were delivered by emergency c-section. Denver Allan weighed 1 lb 10 oz and Dawson Andrew weighed 1 lb 6.5 oz. They came out kicking and crying and 4 days later are still doing okay. They are real little miracles.
Baby Stuff...
I have been looking at lists of what people feel are necessary items for babies. I went through a few of these lists and came up with my own. I am looking for comments on what I may have missed and on things I might not actually need. I am planning on painting the nursery a Robin's Egg blue/green and would like to include some Beatrix Potter themed items into the room. I want the room to be good for a boy and a girl as the twins will be sharing for the first few years .
Here is my list, take a look and feel free to comment. Things that I dont view as necessary/am not sure about I have put a ? besides.
Baby stuff:
Nursery and Baby Gear:
Crib
Crib
Matress
Matress
Crib Matress Pads (2-4)
Changing table and/or dresser
Changing Table Pad
Baby Monitors (1? Or 2 with motion detectors?)
Baskets
Shelves/Bins
Closet Organizer
Baby Clothes Hangers
Glider or rocker and ottoman
Lamp with dimmer
Pack and Play (and/or 2 bassinets)
Double Stroller
Car Seat
Car Seat
High Chair
High Chair
Bumbee?
Bumbee?
Crib Sheets (6 +)
Mesh Bumpers(2)
Crib Skirts (2)
Curtains/ rod
Crib Mobile?
Crib Mobile?
Clothes Hamper
Baby Swings and/or bouncy seats?
Slings (2)
Jolly Jumpers?
Gymborees?
Baby Gate
Baby proofing items
Toys/Books
Layette:
Receiving/Baby Blankets (lots)
Onesies (10-20 in each size)
Sleepers (10-20 in each size)
Baby Hats (4)
Socks/Booties
Bibs(10+)
Sweaters/Long sleeve shirts
Pants/Overalls
Cute outfits (Boy and Girl)
Snowsuits/Hats/Mitts/Boots (6 months?)
Personal Care:
Diapers (lots! Prefer Green Brands)
Wipes (at home and travel)
Diaper Bag with Changing Pad
Daper Rash Ointment
Underpads
Baby Bathtub
Bath Toys
Shampoo/Soap/Lotion
Face cloths
Hooded towels
Thermometers
Baby nail clippers
Suction bulb
GripeWater
Pain Reliever
Teething Rings/Toys
Pacifiers
First Aid Kit
Hairbrush/Comb
Feeding:
Nursing Pillow (rent from POMBA?)
Breast Pump (Good quality electric)
Nursing Pads
Bottles
Bottle brush
New Born Nipples
Formula(? Just in case)
Baby Dishes/Utensils
Sippy Cups
Anything else?????????
Here is my list, take a look and feel free to comment. Things that I dont view as necessary/am not sure about I have put a ? besides.
Baby stuff:
Nursery and Baby Gear:
Crib
Crib
Matress
Matress
Crib Matress Pads (2-4)
Changing table and/or dresser
Changing Table Pad
Baby Monitors (1? Or 2 with motion detectors?)
Baskets
Shelves/Bins
Closet Organizer
Baby Clothes Hangers
Glider or rocker and ottoman
Lamp with dimmer
Pack and Play (and/or 2 bassinets)
Double Stroller
Car Seat
Car Seat
High Chair
High Chair
Bumbee?
Bumbee?
Crib Sheets (6 +)
Mesh Bumpers(2)
Crib Skirts (2)
Curtains/ rod
Crib Mobile?
Crib Mobile?
Clothes Hamper
Baby Swings and/or bouncy seats?
Slings (2)
Jolly Jumpers?
Gymborees?
Baby Gate
Baby proofing items
Toys/Books
Layette:
Receiving/Baby Blankets (lots)
Onesies (10-20 in each size)
Sleepers (10-20 in each size)
Baby Hats (4)
Socks/Booties
Bibs(10+)
Sweaters/Long sleeve shirts
Pants/Overalls
Cute outfits (Boy and Girl)
Snowsuits/Hats/Mitts/Boots (6 months?)
Personal Care:
Diapers (lots! Prefer Green Brands)
Wipes (at home and travel)
Diaper Bag with Changing Pad
Daper Rash Ointment
Underpads
Baby Bathtub
Bath Toys
Shampoo/Soap/Lotion
Face cloths
Hooded towels
Thermometers
Baby nail clippers
Suction bulb
GripeWater
Pain Reliever
Teething Rings/Toys
Pacifiers
First Aid Kit
Hairbrush/Comb
Feeding:
Nursing Pillow (rent from POMBA?)
Breast Pump (Good quality electric)
Nursing Pads
Bottles
Bottle brush
New Born Nipples
Formula(? Just in case)
Baby Dishes/Utensils
Sippy Cups
Anything else?????????
Saturday, April 25, 2009
25 weeks pregnant
Here is some of the weekly update e-mailed to me:
The baby now weighs arround 1.5 pounds / 660 grams and is approximately 13.5 inches/ 35 centimetres long from crown to heel. He makes breathing movements but has no air in his lungs yet. Fetal brain scans show response to touch. You can have fun with him by trying to tickle his foot when he kicks you or by lying on your back and rolling from side to side, to see how he reacts. His eyelids will open around now and his heart is beating so strongly, it may be heard with just a stethoscope.If you shine a light on your abdomen, your baby will turn his head, which according to researchers, means his optic nerve is working.
As your baby grows, you may feel some aches and pains as your body adjusts to accommodate him. Even your center of gravity changes along with your body shape.
At every prenatal visit, your midwife or doctor will take your blood pressure and do tests on a sample of your urine. In this way, pregnancy-related conditions such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes can be detected and treated.
Your fingers, wrists and hands may be feeling achy and numb. The carpal tunnel in the wrist is swollen, as are many other tissues in your body. Nerves that run through the tunnel end up pinched, creating pressure that manifests itself as shooting or burning pain. Wearing a brace may help.
The baby now weighs arround 1.5 pounds / 660 grams and is approximately 13.5 inches/ 35 centimetres long from crown to heel. He makes breathing movements but has no air in his lungs yet. Fetal brain scans show response to touch. You can have fun with him by trying to tickle his foot when he kicks you or by lying on your back and rolling from side to side, to see how he reacts. His eyelids will open around now and his heart is beating so strongly, it may be heard with just a stethoscope.If you shine a light on your abdomen, your baby will turn his head, which according to researchers, means his optic nerve is working.
As your baby grows, you may feel some aches and pains as your body adjusts to accommodate him. Even your center of gravity changes along with your body shape.
At every prenatal visit, your midwife or doctor will take your blood pressure and do tests on a sample of your urine. In this way, pregnancy-related conditions such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes can be detected and treated.
Your fingers, wrists and hands may be feeling achy and numb. The carpal tunnel in the wrist is swollen, as are many other tissues in your body. Nerves that run through the tunnel end up pinched, creating pressure that manifests itself as shooting or burning pain. Wearing a brace may help.
Friday, April 24, 2009
24 1/2 week ultrasound
I had another ultrasound on Wednesday. There hadn't really been any changes to my cervix. The Dr. (a different one) measured my cervix at 1.6. When I asked her if I should be worried since the last Dr. had measured it at 1.8 she said that the .2 cm difference was probably just a difference in the Dr. She looked at the old ultrasound and said she didn't see any real changes. So that is good news. The cerclage (stitch) is still doing its job. Kind of scary to know that the babies are literally being kept in by a thread though...
We still need to decide when to do the steroid shots. We decided to wait at least another week (next ultrasound is May 1st) to decide if we will do it that day, or wait a little longer. Ideally we would be able to put it off until after 28 weeks, but there are risks to doing that if I go into labour earlier.
They didn't do measurements on the babies this time. They did check their hearts, kidneys, etc. and the amniotic fluids. All looked well.
We still need to decide when to do the steroid shots. We decided to wait at least another week (next ultrasound is May 1st) to decide if we will do it that day, or wait a little longer. Ideally we would be able to put it off until after 28 weeks, but there are risks to doing that if I go into labour earlier.
They didn't do measurements on the babies this time. They did check their hearts, kidneys, etc. and the amniotic fluids. All looked well.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
24 weeks pregnant (6 months!)
Here is part of what one twin website had to say:
By 24 weeks your twins are proportioned like newborns but thinner - their "baby" fat hasn't yet developed. Although they're getting heavier every day, their skin still appears wrinkled because they need to gain more weight. Their lips are distinct and their eyes are formed, though the iris (the coloured part of the eye) still lacks pigment. The pancreas and the thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands, essential in the production of hormones, are developing steadily. Tiny eyebrows and eyelids are now visible. Even this early, the first signs of teeth appear in the form of tooth buds beneath the gum line. Before you know it, your twins will be born, and soon after, their first teeth will come through.
Your twins' lungs continue to develop and mature to prepare for breathing. They're swallowing and are making breathing movements. They have no air in their lungs yet but it's essential practice for when they are born.
More than half of twins are born before term (before 37 weeks). If your babies were to be born before 24 weeks, they would only have a small chance of survival even with the right care. Every day in the uterus makes a difference at this stage. Their chance of survival rises rapidly after 26 weeks, and from 32 weeks they should survive if they are growing normally.
By 24 weeks your twins are proportioned like newborns but thinner - their "baby" fat hasn't yet developed. Although they're getting heavier every day, their skin still appears wrinkled because they need to gain more weight. Their lips are distinct and their eyes are formed, though the iris (the coloured part of the eye) still lacks pigment. The pancreas and the thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands, essential in the production of hormones, are developing steadily. Tiny eyebrows and eyelids are now visible. Even this early, the first signs of teeth appear in the form of tooth buds beneath the gum line. Before you know it, your twins will be born, and soon after, their first teeth will come through.
Your twins' lungs continue to develop and mature to prepare for breathing. They're swallowing and are making breathing movements. They have no air in their lungs yet but it's essential practice for when they are born.
More than half of twins are born before term (before 37 weeks). If your babies were to be born before 24 weeks, they would only have a small chance of survival even with the right care. Every day in the uterus makes a difference at this stage. Their chance of survival rises rapidly after 26 weeks, and from 32 weeks they should survive if they are growing normally.
Friday, April 17, 2009
A blog I like
I came across this blog on a twin information site. I found it very informative, and a little scary. The babies in the blog were born 4 days from where I am now, and at a smaller size than my babies. If you are interested in twins or preemies take a look:
http://micropreemietwins.blogspot.com/
http://micropreemietwins.blogspot.com/
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