Yesterday afternoon I had an ultrasound. Because my last ultrasound had been in the middle of the night, and was slightly rushed because...well...we thought the babies were coming, they wanted a more thourough look.
The big excitement of the ultrasound was that the rushed measurements that gave us the babies' weights (you may have remembered me mentioning that they were 3 1/2 lbs.) were a little off...it turns out that baby boy is 4 lbs. & baby girl is 4 lbs. 4 oz.!!! While it is a matter of a few ounces of difference, it is huge! Hitting the 4 lb. mark definitely made us feel much better. It signifies a lot more stability for the babies, both now and when they are born.
The ultimate fun of an ultrasound is seeing the babies. I love the opportunity to peek into their world, to see for a moment what I feel. Baby boy was in a new position (big surprise). The good news is that he manuevered into the perfect head down position. Hopefully, he gets stuck there now!
When we did the ultrasound both babies were soundly sleeping. It was so sweet to watch them so quiet and curled up in their little worlds. However, they were sleeping in a position that wasn't allowing us to get the measurements we needed to find out the weight, and so we needed to wake them up by pushing on the belly (a tactic I have used before when I haven't felt a kick in a while).
Baby boy responded just like he always does with a quick kick to get me to go away (I was a little surprised at how well I have him trained to respond!). Unfortunately, it wasn't me, and so the jabbing continued. We watched as he started to wake up and his "breathing" (they actually practice breathing by taking in amniotic fluid - good exercise for the lungs) got more rapid. The poor little guy kept giving his usual kick, but it wasn't working and he just couldn't figure out why he wasn't being left alone. He finally moved enough for us to get the measurement, and leave him alone.
Baby Girl responded in the exact same way she has every time I have tried to wake her up to get a kick. She ignored us and kept sleeping for as long as possible. Then she suddenly, and violently, woke up and thrashed all over. She punched and kicked and let us know she was not happy. We didn't mind much though because all the movement allowed us to get the necessary measurements. However, Lucas said I have to be the one who wakes her up for school (payback for all the times in my life I have responded the same way to being woke up)!
Overall, it was a very exciting time!
Many of you have asked how Lucas is holding up (since I'm the only one you hear from here). From my perspective, he's doing great. He did turn a little pale during the labor talks, but by the time everything slowed down he had himself all geared up for labor, and I think he would have done beautifully! He has managed, in all the commotion, to prepare his sermon for this Sunday, and he is doing a great job of somehow juggling work, taking care of me, and now taking care of my mom (who is stranded out here). He has been an incredible rock. However, he might say something completely different. So, I'm going to try to see if I can get him to do a quick post on our adventures from his perspective!
I cannot say enough about how much we appreciate all the prayers! Every day the doctors say something, or something happens and I think to myself "this is because so many people are praying." Thank you so much!
February 20, 2009
February 19, 2009
Adventures in Labor & Delivery
I feel like, if a title were given to the last couple of months for us, this would be the title. We have had, yet again, another adventure...possibly the biggest adrenaline rush of all of the adventures - until, of course, the biggest of all adventures (the birth). But, then again, that's what we thought this last one was...
Tuesday evening I had, like most other evenings, some contractions. This was not uncommon, it is expected with 2 babies, but I have to keep an eye on them. Most evenings it's 1-2 an hour, and often stops before I go to bed. Tuesday evening the pattern was off. I would have 4 contractions all 6 minutes apart...and then nothing for an hour. Finally, between 9-10 I had the magic number (6 non-painful contractions in an hour)...we waited 30 more minutes to make sure they didn't stop (they didn't), and then we called the dr. who had us come to the hospital for monitoring.
When we got there, sure enough I was still contracting at an irregularly regular frequency (1 every 8-12 minutes), and they discovered I was dilated 4 centimeters! Since we were at our hospital - which doesn't have a NICU - they needed to sed me immediately to the hospital where I had been before for bedrest. And since there was some urgency, they sent me in an ambulance...with lights and siren and everything! I tried to soak in and enjoy the experience as much as possible...I mean, hopefully I will never ride in an ambulance again, AND I was riding in the ambulance in relative comfort - which I don't think often happens.
Here, in Labor and Delivery, they hooked me up to monitors, confirmed that I was dilated and contracting, and went to work. I was given medication to try to stop the contractions, they did a quick ultrasound to find out the position of the babies, they brought in NP's from the NICU to talk about what to expect when our babies were born (ALL much more positive than previous conversations - they are basically out of the danger zone for most medical complications, and just need to stay in the hospital to learn to eat, and to get enough fat to keep themselves warm on their own), they brought in the anesthesiologist to talk about pain management during the labor, the doctors talked with us about delivery - who would be there, where it would take place (the OR because it's twins, etc.), and we signed half a dozen consent forms.
The medication wasn't working, so they gave me another dose. They did another ultrasound to check their weight ( 3 1/2 pounds - ideal!), we saw more people (it's all a blur) and we signed more forms. Around 4 am they checked my cervix and found that it hadn't changed (good news!), but the contraction had not stopped and were getting slightly more forceful (not so good news). They gave me 1 more dose of the medication, told the nurses to give it every 6 hours, and told us to get some rest because we had a long day ahead of us. The general concensus was that this was it, but the dr. reassured me by saying that if I had come in 4 days later, they wouldn't have even tried the medicine, but would have just let it go. Everything would be ok.
I didn't get sleep because the contractions not only didn't stop, but got progressively more frequent and more painful. By 8:30 am, I was in active labor and the dr.s and nurses seemed to be gearing up. The final test would be the dose of medicine at 10 am to see if it slowed anything down, but they didn't seem to have much hope. At 10 I took the medicine...and the contractions got less painful and began to space out. I actually fell asleep for a while. At 4 they gave me the mediciation again and the contractions basically stopped all together. I had not dilated more, and everything seemed stable, so they moved me back to the antepartum unit (where I had been on bedrest before).
This morning the dr. - admittedly surprised that I responded so suddenly and completely to the medication - told us that, at this point, there is no telling when they will come. It could be tomorrow. It could be several more weeks! I will be on the medicine every 6 hours until I am 34 weeks (March 8th), and I will definitely be in the hospital until I'm 34 weeks (or the babies are born). So...we have a new countdown (I guess...although I still want to celebrate the old one!)
It was a physically and emotionally exhausting 24 hours...we went from fairly routine trip to labor and delivery for monitoring to middle of the night ambulance ride, to mentally and physically preparing for labor, to...the same old routine as before. I know dress rehearsals are beneficial, but I could have done without this one!
There also are some mixed emotions. While it is definitely beneficial for the babies to stay in longer, and we're happy for that, we had enough time to work through the initial shock of "this is really it" and had geared ourselves up for delivery that the sudden turnaround was a bit anticlimactic. Also, there was some excitement of looking forward to actually seeing our babies. We had gotten them to a healthy point where we could be excited about them coming, we were at the point where seeing them and holding them was within our grasp, and then suddenly we were back to...waiting. It was, admittedly, a bit of a letdown.
Regardless, we rejoice that they are healthy. We are thankful for the extra time they have to grow and get fat (getting fat is very important at this point), and we are learning more and more patience with each passing day (and adventure). Hopefully, this will be thelast adventure before the BIG adventure...but if not, at least I'll have something exciting to write about!
Thanks to all for your continued prayers! They definitely have sustaind us, and continue to do so. We'll keep you all posted!
Tuesday evening I had, like most other evenings, some contractions. This was not uncommon, it is expected with 2 babies, but I have to keep an eye on them. Most evenings it's 1-2 an hour, and often stops before I go to bed. Tuesday evening the pattern was off. I would have 4 contractions all 6 minutes apart...and then nothing for an hour. Finally, between 9-10 I had the magic number (6 non-painful contractions in an hour)...we waited 30 more minutes to make sure they didn't stop (they didn't), and then we called the dr. who had us come to the hospital for monitoring.
When we got there, sure enough I was still contracting at an irregularly regular frequency (1 every 8-12 minutes), and they discovered I was dilated 4 centimeters! Since we were at our hospital - which doesn't have a NICU - they needed to sed me immediately to the hospital where I had been before for bedrest. And since there was some urgency, they sent me in an ambulance...with lights and siren and everything! I tried to soak in and enjoy the experience as much as possible...I mean, hopefully I will never ride in an ambulance again, AND I was riding in the ambulance in relative comfort - which I don't think often happens.
Here, in Labor and Delivery, they hooked me up to monitors, confirmed that I was dilated and contracting, and went to work. I was given medication to try to stop the contractions, they did a quick ultrasound to find out the position of the babies, they brought in NP's from the NICU to talk about what to expect when our babies were born (ALL much more positive than previous conversations - they are basically out of the danger zone for most medical complications, and just need to stay in the hospital to learn to eat, and to get enough fat to keep themselves warm on their own), they brought in the anesthesiologist to talk about pain management during the labor, the doctors talked with us about delivery - who would be there, where it would take place (the OR because it's twins, etc.), and we signed half a dozen consent forms.
The medication wasn't working, so they gave me another dose. They did another ultrasound to check their weight ( 3 1/2 pounds - ideal!), we saw more people (it's all a blur) and we signed more forms. Around 4 am they checked my cervix and found that it hadn't changed (good news!), but the contraction had not stopped and were getting slightly more forceful (not so good news). They gave me 1 more dose of the medication, told the nurses to give it every 6 hours, and told us to get some rest because we had a long day ahead of us. The general concensus was that this was it, but the dr. reassured me by saying that if I had come in 4 days later, they wouldn't have even tried the medicine, but would have just let it go. Everything would be ok.
I didn't get sleep because the contractions not only didn't stop, but got progressively more frequent and more painful. By 8:30 am, I was in active labor and the dr.s and nurses seemed to be gearing up. The final test would be the dose of medicine at 10 am to see if it slowed anything down, but they didn't seem to have much hope. At 10 I took the medicine...and the contractions got less painful and began to space out. I actually fell asleep for a while. At 4 they gave me the mediciation again and the contractions basically stopped all together. I had not dilated more, and everything seemed stable, so they moved me back to the antepartum unit (where I had been on bedrest before).
This morning the dr. - admittedly surprised that I responded so suddenly and completely to the medication - told us that, at this point, there is no telling when they will come. It could be tomorrow. It could be several more weeks! I will be on the medicine every 6 hours until I am 34 weeks (March 8th), and I will definitely be in the hospital until I'm 34 weeks (or the babies are born). So...we have a new countdown (I guess...although I still want to celebrate the old one!)
It was a physically and emotionally exhausting 24 hours...we went from fairly routine trip to labor and delivery for monitoring to middle of the night ambulance ride, to mentally and physically preparing for labor, to...the same old routine as before. I know dress rehearsals are beneficial, but I could have done without this one!
There also are some mixed emotions. While it is definitely beneficial for the babies to stay in longer, and we're happy for that, we had enough time to work through the initial shock of "this is really it" and had geared ourselves up for delivery that the sudden turnaround was a bit anticlimactic. Also, there was some excitement of looking forward to actually seeing our babies. We had gotten them to a healthy point where we could be excited about them coming, we were at the point where seeing them and holding them was within our grasp, and then suddenly we were back to...waiting. It was, admittedly, a bit of a letdown.
Regardless, we rejoice that they are healthy. We are thankful for the extra time they have to grow and get fat (getting fat is very important at this point), and we are learning more and more patience with each passing day (and adventure). Hopefully, this will be thelast adventure before the BIG adventure...but if not, at least I'll have something exciting to write about!
Thanks to all for your continued prayers! They definitely have sustaind us, and continue to do so. We'll keep you all posted!
February 15, 2009
31 weeks!!!
Today we are officially 31 weeks! Only 7 more days to go! I remember, when I set the goal at 35 days, not being able to imagine getting into singlr digit days, and now we're down to 1 week!! I am home now. My mom flew out to help us out, and I am spending my days...in bed :) It's much nicer now that I am home!
The babies seem to be growing well. Our next ultrasound isn't for 1 1/2 weeks (after getting a couple a week in the hospital, I'm super spoiled, and it is really hard to wait that long!), but the babies seem to be growing well. T-shirts that fit a week ago are getting very snug this week! They are also moving a LOT! Baby boy spent all day yesterday wiggling himself into a new position (he likes to really explore his space & was in a different position for every ultrasound!). He would seem to settle into a spot, and then I could feel him wiggle like he wasn't quite comfortable, and then he would start inching around again (all this movement caused his sister to kick her complaints - she doesn't seem to like her space invaded). This kept going all day and evening, and I woke up this morning feeling like something was balled up right under my ribs. Sure enough, he carefully wedged himself as far as he could up under my ribs, and seems to have happily settled there! While, I'm happy he wants to be so close to my heart (literally), it's his most uncomfortable position choice yet...and I'm hoping this isn't the position he's in when he finally runs out of room and can't move!
My latest favorite is how the babies respond to Lucas. A few times at church, I noticed that when he spoke at the pulpit (preaching, announcements, anything) they would start moving around. I figured it was a coincidence. Then, in the hospital, I noticed that when he came to visit, he would walk in the room and start talking and they would start moving! It's not all the time...but if they haven't heard his voice for a while, and he starts talking, they go crazy! I think they know it is the voice of someone who will play with them.
Thanks for your continued prayers! We appreciate them so much.
The babies seem to be growing well. Our next ultrasound isn't for 1 1/2 weeks (after getting a couple a week in the hospital, I'm super spoiled, and it is really hard to wait that long!), but the babies seem to be growing well. T-shirts that fit a week ago are getting very snug this week! They are also moving a LOT! Baby boy spent all day yesterday wiggling himself into a new position (he likes to really explore his space & was in a different position for every ultrasound!). He would seem to settle into a spot, and then I could feel him wiggle like he wasn't quite comfortable, and then he would start inching around again (all this movement caused his sister to kick her complaints - she doesn't seem to like her space invaded). This kept going all day and evening, and I woke up this morning feeling like something was balled up right under my ribs. Sure enough, he carefully wedged himself as far as he could up under my ribs, and seems to have happily settled there! While, I'm happy he wants to be so close to my heart (literally), it's his most uncomfortable position choice yet...and I'm hoping this isn't the position he's in when he finally runs out of room and can't move!
My latest favorite is how the babies respond to Lucas. A few times at church, I noticed that when he spoke at the pulpit (preaching, announcements, anything) they would start moving around. I figured it was a coincidence. Then, in the hospital, I noticed that when he came to visit, he would walk in the room and start talking and they would start moving! It's not all the time...but if they haven't heard his voice for a while, and he starts talking, they go crazy! I think they know it is the voice of someone who will play with them.
Thanks for your continued prayers! We appreciate them so much.
February 08, 2009
30 weeks!!!!
Today we are officially 30 weeks! It feels so good to finally be out of the 20's :) The official countdown is now at 13 days, 17 hours, and 25 minutes to 32 weeks! Every day we get more relieved, less nervous, and more excited. Every day I start to feel more like 32 weeks is not a finish line that I will desperately crawl across, but potentially a milestone that we will joyfully pass on our way to a later due date. Where we once thought we might not make it to 30 weeks, 34 weeks seems like much more of a possibility!
I am currently trying to decide how to celebrate and mark the 32 week milestone. Now that it seems very possible that we will make it there, I feel like we have to do something special on that day...I just don't know exactly what...If you have any suggestions, let me know.
I have now been in this hospital 10 days (22 days total in a hosp.). It has also been a relief to go this long, while still being stable, after the great escape from NY. Our renegade actions do not seem to have any negative effects! As far as being bored - I've been doing very well...I try to alternate between reading,watching tv or movise, talking with friends, browsing online, and playing Hoyle card games...A HUGE thanks to cousin Lauren for all of the magazines. Not only were they a huge distraction for me, but I've passed them along to some of the other women on the unit as well.
Thanks for your continued prayers. Currently, the big thing we are waiting on is finding out about the possibility of going home! Tomorrow (Monday) they are going to review my case. There is a chance that I could go home as early as this week (which is exciting and terrifying - there is comfort in being monitored daily, hearing their heartbeats, and knowing I have immediate help should something go unexpectedly wrong). Otherwise, it will be reviewed on a week by week basis. Pray for wisdom for the doctors, and peace for us - whatever the decision.
I am currently trying to decide how to celebrate and mark the 32 week milestone. Now that it seems very possible that we will make it there, I feel like we have to do something special on that day...I just don't know exactly what...If you have any suggestions, let me know.
I have now been in this hospital 10 days (22 days total in a hosp.). It has also been a relief to go this long, while still being stable, after the great escape from NY. Our renegade actions do not seem to have any negative effects! As far as being bored - I've been doing very well...I try to alternate between reading,watching tv or movise, talking with friends, browsing online, and playing Hoyle card games...A HUGE thanks to cousin Lauren for all of the magazines. Not only were they a huge distraction for me, but I've passed them along to some of the other women on the unit as well.
Thanks for your continued prayers. Currently, the big thing we are waiting on is finding out about the possibility of going home! Tomorrow (Monday) they are going to review my case. There is a chance that I could go home as early as this week (which is exciting and terrifying - there is comfort in being monitored daily, hearing their heartbeats, and knowing I have immediate help should something go unexpectedly wrong). Otherwise, it will be reviewed on a week by week basis. Pray for wisdom for the doctors, and peace for us - whatever the decision.
February 04, 2009
Things I am thankful for or appreciate more...
Being in bedrest at the hospital has made me appreciate some surprising things...since I hope none of you ever have to have an extended hospital stay...I figured I would pass these things along so you can appreciate them too (or for me).
I am VERY thankful for:
Time to read - I've read 5 books,and 6 magazines already! It's heavenly!
Internet - we didn't have it at the hosp. in NY, and I feel so much more connected having it here!
Not having to cook OR cleanup after the meal.
Showers. That is my only "out of bed time" I get...No matter how short it always is refreshing, and makes me feel more human and ready to go back to another day in bed.
24, American Idol, Ugly Betty, and The Office -these shows help the evenings fly by, and help me keep track of what day it is.
The Oscars - Oscar night this year happens to be our 32 week anniversary, and I'm more excited about them coming than I ever have been before!!!
Friends & family who call, write, or visit - it helped soften the blow of being stuck in NY, and made the renegade trip to MA so worth it!
A window to see the outside world (even if it is only a patch of sky and another building!)
My husband - who has taken such good care of me. I have never loved him more.
That there are only 17 days, 13 hours, and 16 minutes left until we are 32 weeks (not that I'm obssessivel counting...)
All of the prayers - I can't wait to someday tell these babies how many people prayed for them...it has been humbling and overwhelming to have so many people wrap us in prayer, we feel the support, and it has been such a blessing!
Things I appreciate more:
My bed at home - so soft, with nice pillows, and a lovely view...I dream about my bed...
Sleeping next to (or even in the same room with) my husband. I'll even take the occassional snoring!
A Homemade meal (yes, I don't have to cook or cleanup,but there is a trade off in quality...)
DVR...I keep wanting to pause or rewind programs, and I can't! I've gotten so spoiled!
walking and/or running! I dream about nice weather and taking a LONG walk...or even running a little (Since the farthest distance I currently walk is from the bed to the bathroom I can't imagine I would have the endurance for much more than a VERY short run!)
Alarm clocks (as opposed to waking up to a steady stream of Residents, Doctors, and nurses - all of whom are wonderful and appreciated).
Fresh air
The medical care available these days
Random story - I feel like a mini celebrity here...every new doctor or nurse who comes in tells me "I've heard all about you and how you left NY!" A few have said they think it's great that we were so gutsy...most laugh at how we fled the hosp. there. While I knew it would be a great story to pass on to the twins someday, I didn't realize it would be such a hit at the hospital!
I am VERY thankful for:
Time to read - I've read 5 books,and 6 magazines already! It's heavenly!
Internet - we didn't have it at the hosp. in NY, and I feel so much more connected having it here!
Not having to cook OR cleanup after the meal.
Showers. That is my only "out of bed time" I get...No matter how short it always is refreshing, and makes me feel more human and ready to go back to another day in bed.
24, American Idol, Ugly Betty, and The Office -these shows help the evenings fly by, and help me keep track of what day it is.
The Oscars - Oscar night this year happens to be our 32 week anniversary, and I'm more excited about them coming than I ever have been before!!!
Friends & family who call, write, or visit - it helped soften the blow of being stuck in NY, and made the renegade trip to MA so worth it!
A window to see the outside world (even if it is only a patch of sky and another building!)
My husband - who has taken such good care of me. I have never loved him more.
That there are only 17 days, 13 hours, and 16 minutes left until we are 32 weeks (not that I'm obssessivel counting...)
All of the prayers - I can't wait to someday tell these babies how many people prayed for them...it has been humbling and overwhelming to have so many people wrap us in prayer, we feel the support, and it has been such a blessing!
Things I appreciate more:
My bed at home - so soft, with nice pillows, and a lovely view...I dream about my bed...
Sleeping next to (or even in the same room with) my husband. I'll even take the occassional snoring!
A Homemade meal (yes, I don't have to cook or cleanup,but there is a trade off in quality...)
DVR...I keep wanting to pause or rewind programs, and I can't! I've gotten so spoiled!
walking and/or running! I dream about nice weather and taking a LONG walk...or even running a little (Since the farthest distance I currently walk is from the bed to the bathroom I can't imagine I would have the endurance for much more than a VERY short run!)
Alarm clocks (as opposed to waking up to a steady stream of Residents, Doctors, and nurses - all of whom are wonderful and appreciated).
Fresh air
The medical care available these days
Random story - I feel like a mini celebrity here...every new doctor or nurse who comes in tells me "I've heard all about you and how you left NY!" A few have said they think it's great that we were so gutsy...most laugh at how we fled the hosp. there. While I knew it would be a great story to pass on to the twins someday, I didn't realize it would be such a hit at the hospital!
February 02, 2009
Hospital Hopping
How sad that it has been a year since we've posted anything! I have no good excuses. I thought, however, now that I am fairly contained, that I would take the opportunity to keep you updated...
For those who don't know, or don't know much about the situation, we've had a fairly dramatic couple of weeks...
As I hope you all know, I am pregnant with twins! It has been a very exciting time for us, and while it had been a fairly quiet prenancy, there were a few bumps that are bound to occur when your body is trying to accomodate a baby more than it was generally designed to. After a talk with my dr. it was decided that I should stop working and spend my days "resting." No need for panic they told me, there was no sign of immenent problems, but they wanted to me take it easy. We had planned a trip to New York to see some dear friends (the Moodys) and some of the city for a Babymoon, and the doctors told me as long as I wasn't standing for more than 20 minutes at a time I could do whatever I felt up to...so we decided to go...and we had a wonderful, relaxing, enjoyable weekend with our friends. Until Sunday the 18th. I wasn't feeling well that morning, and then there were some slight symptoms of preterm labor that caused my doctor at home to want me to go somewhere to get checked out...not Boston because they were having a snowstorm. We went to a hosp. on Long Island fully expecting it to be nothing - as it had been the other times I had to make a hosp. visit (doctors are very cautious with multiples,so we had visited Labor & Delivery a couple times already). That was not the case...when I got there it turned out I was having contractions every 6-9 minutes (I hd no idea the crumminess I felt was contractions), and it looked like I was in early stages of labor. Suddenly they were giving me steroids for the babies' lungs, medicine to stop the contractions, and a new room because they were admitting me ("only until the snow stops in Boston and we can send you there"). We weren't too concerned though (or we were in shock) because the medicine seemed to work and the contractions basically stopped, and soon we would go home. The next morning, even though the snow stopped in Boston, they decided to keep me 1 day longer to finish the 48 hr. cycle of the medicine they had started...and then later in the day they did an ultrasound and discovered I had an almost non existent cervix in terms of length and we heard the dreaded words, "It looks like you'll be here until they're born."
The rest of the week was a bit of a blur. No one could give us any definite answer as to when the twins might be born...just that getting to 32 weeks would be ideal (I was 27 at the time - 32 weeks seemed astronomically far away). There were hints of a chance that, if I remained stable we could go back to MA, but no guarantees. Our friends were stuck suddenly with Lucas living on their couch, and we were suddenly trying to rearrange our lives for a potentially long stay in NY. It was a week full of many emotions.
By early the next week (the 26th) we discovered that my cervix had remained stable, I wasn't having any contractions, I wasn't on any medicine to stop contractions, and I was being slowly weaned off monitors, etc. We started our campaign to be transferred to Boston. While the week before had been a crushing whirlwind of emotions, this week was characterized by hope and planning. Lucas and I became focused on our one goal - getting me home. Lucas even mapped out every hospital on the drive home that had the facilities we would need and their addresses and phone numbers (we would never have been more than 30 min. from a hosp.). The doctor was very hesitant however. After talking with many people, nurses and residents there and friends who were nurses, we finally decided that we would ask one more time why I was being kept there, and if the doctor couldn't give us a reason that satified us, we would leave on our own. The doctor admitted her concern was hosp. liability and that we could leave AMA (Against Medical Advice). While it was hard for me to rebel, Lucas and I chose that option, and I called my MA doctor to coordinate the transfer here.
We were nervous...and excited. We prayed like crazy and then took off. Thankfully, the trip was uneventful and shorter than we expected! When we got here they did all the same tests and monitoring and everything was the exact same as it was just before we left!
The doctors here are similarly concerned about my relatively non existent cervical length, and so I'm currently here on bedrest somewhat indefinitely. Although, Lucas and I are so much more relaxed and at peace being here in MA that I'm ok with that. Plus, I've always wanted uninterrupted time to read and relax...and now I have it!
We have been so thankful for all of the prayers, and continue to feel and appreciate them. Our big goal, as mentioned earlier, is to make it to AT LEAST 32 weeks. I am 29 weeks now & we currently have 20 days to go (Feb. 22 is the 32 week mark). Since we thought at one point we probably wouldn't make it even this far, we are hankful for every extra day they are able to stay in and grow. Every morning is a new celebration of another day to check off. At this point the doctors seem very upbeat and confident that we can make 32 weeks, and possibly beyond! We're holding tightly to this hope, and are praying that it can become a reality.
I will attempt, since I am fairly limited in mobility ( and therefore have no excuse!), to keep this up to date or include some of our crazy stories. And to keep you posted on the progress of our countdown.
For those who don't know, or don't know much about the situation, we've had a fairly dramatic couple of weeks...
As I hope you all know, I am pregnant with twins! It has been a very exciting time for us, and while it had been a fairly quiet prenancy, there were a few bumps that are bound to occur when your body is trying to accomodate a baby more than it was generally designed to. After a talk with my dr. it was decided that I should stop working and spend my days "resting." No need for panic they told me, there was no sign of immenent problems, but they wanted to me take it easy. We had planned a trip to New York to see some dear friends (the Moodys) and some of the city for a Babymoon, and the doctors told me as long as I wasn't standing for more than 20 minutes at a time I could do whatever I felt up to...so we decided to go...and we had a wonderful, relaxing, enjoyable weekend with our friends. Until Sunday the 18th. I wasn't feeling well that morning, and then there were some slight symptoms of preterm labor that caused my doctor at home to want me to go somewhere to get checked out...not Boston because they were having a snowstorm. We went to a hosp. on Long Island fully expecting it to be nothing - as it had been the other times I had to make a hosp. visit (doctors are very cautious with multiples,so we had visited Labor & Delivery a couple times already). That was not the case...when I got there it turned out I was having contractions every 6-9 minutes (I hd no idea the crumminess I felt was contractions), and it looked like I was in early stages of labor. Suddenly they were giving me steroids for the babies' lungs, medicine to stop the contractions, and a new room because they were admitting me ("only until the snow stops in Boston and we can send you there"). We weren't too concerned though (or we were in shock) because the medicine seemed to work and the contractions basically stopped, and soon we would go home. The next morning, even though the snow stopped in Boston, they decided to keep me 1 day longer to finish the 48 hr. cycle of the medicine they had started...and then later in the day they did an ultrasound and discovered I had an almost non existent cervix in terms of length and we heard the dreaded words, "It looks like you'll be here until they're born."
The rest of the week was a bit of a blur. No one could give us any definite answer as to when the twins might be born...just that getting to 32 weeks would be ideal (I was 27 at the time - 32 weeks seemed astronomically far away). There were hints of a chance that, if I remained stable we could go back to MA, but no guarantees. Our friends were stuck suddenly with Lucas living on their couch, and we were suddenly trying to rearrange our lives for a potentially long stay in NY. It was a week full of many emotions.
By early the next week (the 26th) we discovered that my cervix had remained stable, I wasn't having any contractions, I wasn't on any medicine to stop contractions, and I was being slowly weaned off monitors, etc. We started our campaign to be transferred to Boston. While the week before had been a crushing whirlwind of emotions, this week was characterized by hope and planning. Lucas and I became focused on our one goal - getting me home. Lucas even mapped out every hospital on the drive home that had the facilities we would need and their addresses and phone numbers (we would never have been more than 30 min. from a hosp.). The doctor was very hesitant however. After talking with many people, nurses and residents there and friends who were nurses, we finally decided that we would ask one more time why I was being kept there, and if the doctor couldn't give us a reason that satified us, we would leave on our own. The doctor admitted her concern was hosp. liability and that we could leave AMA (Against Medical Advice). While it was hard for me to rebel, Lucas and I chose that option, and I called my MA doctor to coordinate the transfer here.
We were nervous...and excited. We prayed like crazy and then took off. Thankfully, the trip was uneventful and shorter than we expected! When we got here they did all the same tests and monitoring and everything was the exact same as it was just before we left!
The doctors here are similarly concerned about my relatively non existent cervical length, and so I'm currently here on bedrest somewhat indefinitely. Although, Lucas and I are so much more relaxed and at peace being here in MA that I'm ok with that. Plus, I've always wanted uninterrupted time to read and relax...and now I have it!
We have been so thankful for all of the prayers, and continue to feel and appreciate them. Our big goal, as mentioned earlier, is to make it to AT LEAST 32 weeks. I am 29 weeks now & we currently have 20 days to go (Feb. 22 is the 32 week mark). Since we thought at one point we probably wouldn't make it even this far, we are hankful for every extra day they are able to stay in and grow. Every morning is a new celebration of another day to check off. At this point the doctors seem very upbeat and confident that we can make 32 weeks, and possibly beyond! We're holding tightly to this hope, and are praying that it can become a reality.
I will attempt, since I am fairly limited in mobility ( and therefore have no excuse!), to keep this up to date or include some of our crazy stories. And to keep you posted on the progress of our countdown.
March 04, 2008
Picture of Grandma
Here's a picture of my Grandma, which I will use for our annual March Madness Tournament.
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