Lovely Pregnancy symptoms

I thought I knew all the pregnancy symptoms out there, but I guess I was wrong.  About a week ago, my left wrist/thumb started hurting in the middle of the night.  As the week has progressed, it has gotten worse and now it hurts to use my thumb.  I have carpel tunnel symptoms...yuck.  Last night I bought a brace to wear to immobilize my wrist and thumb which has helped a little.  My best friend (the bath tub) also helps to make it feel better.  From what I have researched, the symptoms should go away after the babies are born.  25% of pregnant women get this and it is mainly from swelling that women get in the 3rd trimester.  I hope it all goes away completely cause it will be painful to hold babies if it doesn't go away.  It hurts to move at all.  LOVELY!!!  Thankfully it's only my left hand so far.  My right hand hurts a little at night, but nothing like the left.
Another pregnancy symptom that is new to me this year is all the dang skin tags that I have gotten.  I read that this is due to the pregnancy hormones as well.

32 Weeks!

Every week is such a big accomplishment for me and the babies to pass!  32 is always a big number with babies and now I am shooting for 34 weeks.  After 34 weeks I will not have to get steriod shots to improve the lung function of the babies.  If it looks like I will have to get them I've been told by both doctors that they would put me in the hospital at that point.  Yuck!  I've been told not to do anything these next two weeks.  Like I can physically anyway.  Everything hurts!  The bath tub is my best friend right now!

Update on stats:  At my 30 week appt with my regular OB, I measured 38 weeks.  I did my first non-stress test (NST) and things looked good.  This is where they hook you up to the baby monitors and watch the heart rates and also contractions.  I did have one big contraction and some real small ones during the test, but nothing too alarming.

31 weeks:  This was the appt with the MFM to measure weights and fluid/bladder/ heart flow of both babies.  Baby A weighed abt 2 lb 15 oz (almost to 3 lbs) and Baby B measured 3 lbs 14 oz.  Almost a full pound difference so far between the babies!  I really want both babies to be over 5 lbs!!!  Just gotta grow and make it 4 more weeks.  All blood flow and fluids looked really good!  Both babies were head down.

32 weeks:  Regular OB did another NST and everything was good.  Babies were moving like crazy again!  Baby A was breach and Baby B was head down.  I'm surprised at how much they keep changing positions.  I measured 41 weeks....OUCH!  This is what I measured at 38+ weeks with Joseph and he was born at 39 weeks and weighed 9 lbs 10 oz.

Movement:  Everyone asks me about this and the movement is so crazy going on in my stomach!  This sounds weird, but I feel like I'm being kicked in the rear end.  Really, I feel the kicks in my back and butt more this time and all over.  I'm grateful to feel movement because it helps me to know the babies are ok, but it sure is a lot of movement everywhere in my mid section!

Last week on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day I was having a lot of braxton hicks contractions.  So, Thursday I called my dr and he had me go up to the hospital to get monitored and checked out.  Of course, they slowed down when I was on the monitor, but it was nice to know that I hadn't started dilating yet.  I was told to go home on bed rest....well, I did as much as I could.  The contractions have slowed so much that my dr just told me not to do anything.  Lynar won't let me go shopping again because he thinks that is what set things off last week when I shopped at Sams club on Christmas Eve.

 This picture was taken after Lynar's work party at Ruth Chris Steakhouse on Dec. 20th when I was 30 1/2 weeks along.  We were there a total of 3 hours---yes, I hurt from sitting, but I did get up and go to the bathroom 4 times that night.  It was almost a joke by the end of the evening, but my bladder really doesn't let me go long between trips to the bathroom.

Lynar and I went to a ugly sweater party.  I had a hard time finding an ugly sweater, so I just decorated mine with stickers and lights around my belly.  This was the night after the Ruth Chris party.  We had a fun time getting out and it's probably the last party we will be able to attend for awhile.

29 weeks!!!

Today I am 29 weeks!  Each week is great to hit.  I only have 7 weeks to go (and maybe a couple days).  We are just shooting for 36 weeks and if things go well, I could go a few extra days, but no more than 37 weeks total.  I didn't update 2 weeks ago when I went to the MFM so I will give the stats from 27 weeks before today's stats.

27 weeks:  Baby A 1 lb 13 oz, Baby B 2 lb 5 oz.  8 oz difference between the two babies which the doc said was a 29.5% discordance in weight.  Everything else looked good.

29 weeks:  Baby A 2 lbs 4 oz, Baby B 3 lbs 1oz.  13 oz difference, 23% discordance in weight.  Blood flow looks good between the two babies.  Baby A has about 6cm of fluid around him and Baby B has 11 cm (which above 8 cm is too much).  The doctor isn't worried about this much fluid since the biggest pocket of it seems to be in one area and the blood flow, bladder, and everything else looks good.  I know with my other kids that when my water broke the comment has been made that I had a lot of fluid, so maybe that is how my body makes babies.

I am feeling the weight of the babies more and can feel them on my sides in my ribs when I lay down and I think I have run out of room in the front under my ribs.  It's all going out from here.  Putting on socks and shoes and pants is a hard task and I sometimes have to ask for help if I'm in a hurry.  So funny to see the kids try to put on my socks for me.  Sleeping is no fun and I'm sure it's going to get worse.  I can't sleep more than 2-3 hours without having to go to the bathroom.  Usually its 2 hours on the dot that I wake up.  I can't eat within an hour of laying down because it all feels like it is coming back up in my throat.  It doesn't hurt, just feels like a pitcher that is being poured slowly out (coming up my throat).  I can't move my hips when I am in bed.  Feels weird being able to reposition all other body parts, but my hips can't move no matter what I try to do.  I've pulled on my pj's/clothes to move them.   

 We have been "snowed in" for the past 6 days and even church was cancelled (well most of it and it was optional to go, so we stayed home) and so we have gotten a lot done.  We put up 2 swing, (one we had with Joseph and one I bought at a garage sale), and then I was given 2 of the bouncy seats last week and we put those together.  So exciting!

This is my 29 week picture!  Last week at my regular OB appt when I was 28 weeks, my belly measured 36 weeks.  I think its grown a lot since then too.  I have only gained 25-26 lbs so far.  Not bad for me and for having twins!  

Since we have been "snowed in", it has been extra nice to sleep in and not have to rush off anywhere.  I've loved it and I think heavenly father gave us that snow storm for me.  It helped me get through another week!  Lynar has been home and "working from home" so it has been extra nice.  Almost like a free vacation week....well, sort of.  He has done some work, but it's just nice to have him around.

26 weeks & 3 days

I had my doctors appt on Wednesday and Lynar was able to come with me.  This time is was with my regular OB.  I really like my new OB and how he seems very concerned and knowledgeable about twins.  He is very concerned about pre-term labor and stated a few times that he does not want me doing much of anything the next couple weeks.  He keeps telling me that week 28 is a big turning point as that is when 90% of babies born at that week will have normal lives.  I've got a week and a half now to get to that point.  He said my sore belly is really due to the growing of twins and at a faster rate than normal and so this is all normal for twins.  After talking with me for about 5 minutes, he did a 5-10 min ultrasound just to check the basics that are important.....bladders, heart, fluids, membrane, placenta.  It is great to see all that and see that everything is going well.  Baby B started out in breach position and ended up head down.  Just flipped on us.  Once he flipped, we could see the two babies kicking each other.....it was pretty cool.  So amazing I should say.
I was a little nervous and stressed since the appt because my whole worry is the size of the babies and both babies being behind already and spread apart in size.  Well, the doctor measured me (pubic bone to top of fundus) and I only measured 33 cm (which is typically 33 weeks).  The problem with this is that this was the same measurement I had 2 weeks ago.  I am really just hoping that the babies were positioned so different that it made it different.  I go in on Monday to see the growth of the babies.  I'm trying to eat up to help them to grow.  Food is a chore for me right now and nothing really sounds good.  I was hungry with my stomach growling for a couple days, which is huge for me since I get full so fast.  Excited for Monday to hopefully relieve stress!
With both docs telling me that I will have these babies by week 36, I am now down to single digit weeks, 9 weeks and 5 days.  It is starting to feel real the closer it gets.  Lyndee is off school all next week for Thanksgiving and then she will only have 3 weeks of school and 2 weeks off for Christmas, then 3 week of school and the babies will be here.....so breaking it down even more is awesome!  Lyndee is a lifesaver for me and I am going to love her being home for a few weeks!

So sore

Wow!  I have never been so sore with a pregnancy. I have had more Braxton hicks yesterday and today and that has made my stomach (uterus) so sore. When I walk my abdomen is just hard as a rock and my hips also hurt. I haven't done much today because of this and what I have done has been painful. 

Last week I had a pretty good week (after Tuesday). I had more energy, felt good to walk around and was even able to go to aldi's grocery shopping. On Saturday I kind of overdid it, but going to a 2 hour church meeting in the morning, resting all afternoon, then going to a wedding reception in the evening was too much. After the wedding reception I told Lynar we should stop at SAMs club since it was on the way home and get a few things. I hadn't gotten far when I realized I couldn't take another step. I had Lynar go and get me a motorized cart!  It was a little funny watching him drive the cart to me, and frankly I was embarrassed to drive it around the store. I only ran into one person I knew thankgoodness. I was very grateful for the cart though since I really had a hard time walking. I think that may have been the start of my soreness. Sunday I just went to sacrament meeting and came home and rested all afternoon, but by bedtime I was hurting. It felt like all the muscles were being pulled in different directions. I am hoping its just a growth spurt for the babies. I really want them to grow so if that is what it is I will be very happy. I just hope these contractions slow down or I may be calling my doc in the morning. Lots of water tonight for me which means lots of bathroom trips as well. Katelyn mentioned yesterday, "you are always in the bathroom". Yep, I am and the toilet paper is going fast too!  

I was very grateful for a friend who took my younger girls to school for me this morning. When I woke up I felt terrible, which was part of the soreness. 

The best thing about today is knowing I only have 10 more weeks from tomorrow!  I am excited to be 26 weeks tomorrow!!

Growth Ultrasound #3

This morning I had another growth ultrasound with the Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist.  These ultrasounds are very long since they measure both babies in depth.  The ultrasound tech comes in and does a 45-60 min ultrasound first and starts with measuring the cervix, looking at the membrane, umbilical cord and placenta.  She documents positioning of both babies, which today both babies were head down kind of in a c shape.  It is fun to see both heads together.  I never get any pictures, but she takes a lot (doesn't print them).  She moves onto looking at one of the babies first and today she started with baby b.  She measures the femur bone, abdominal cavity (both kidneys, looks for bladder, stomach), chest cavity (heart chambers, blood flow), head (different spots in the head, brain).  Fluid around each baby is very important and today Baby A was 5 cm and baby B around 7 cm which is both good.  I got a little peak at one of the baby's face today and the cheek bones reminded me of Brooklyn.  Usually I don't see a good shot of the face since they only measure the important parts of the baby. 
When the ultrasound tech is done with all of that, I wait 5-10 min for the doctor to come in and then he spends a good 30-45 minutes measuring other things that are important for him to see.  He really goes in depth on the blood flow which is very important for twin to twin transfusion.  During the ultrasounds, there is a way you can see the arterial and venous blood flow and it shows on the screen red and blue, but when they put this setting on, the babies DO NOT LIKE IT!!!  They kick and move around like crazy!  

Today both babies heart rates were in the 150's and the sizes are:  
Baby A 1 lb. 2 oz. measuring at 23 weeks 1 day
Baby B 1 lb. 9 oz. measuring at 23 weeks 5 days.

Tomorrow I will be 25 weeks so both babies continue to be a little behind, but they have been this whole time.  They have dropped to 28% difference in weight.  It is good news that everything looks good, but I am bummed that the difference in weight has gotten worse.  I am trying to do everything that I can to help this.  I am just an incubator and hoping that baby a will catch up a little.  

I love being able to see my babies move and their hearts beating each week.  What a relief!  

So Much to Worry About

Being pregnant with twins has a lot more than just the physical problems that are experienced.  I have learned so much in the past 4 1/2 weeks of my pregnancy.  I am now 24 weeks and 6 days pregnant.  Here is a little about what I have learned and a little about my story.

At my 20 week ultrasound they found a 25% difference in weights in the babies.  Greater than 20% is of concern.  I have been being watched closely for TTTS syndrome (twin to twin transfusion syndrome) which is only seen in mono/di twins (identical, one placenta with a thin membrane separating them).  Having a big difference in the weights is a precursor sign of TTTS. 

A little about TTTS syndrome.  There are 4 stages of it.  The first two there is just a significant difference in the amniotic fluid around each baby, one having too much and one having not enough.  The babies start to be classified as “donor” and “recipitent”.  Also, the second stage the bladder does not show up on the donor twin.  These two stages are watched even closer and strict bed rest is ordered.  The next two stages are more involved with the blood flow to each baby and if discovered before 25-26 weeks laser surgery is done asap.  The nearest places that do this are St. Louis and Houston.  If this surgery is done there is only a 60% chance both babies survive and an 80% chance only one will survive.  So as you can see, it can be super scary to get diagnosed with this.  The risk never fully goes away of getting TTTS, the treatment just changes.  If the fluids around each baby is too off, then amnioreduction (needle insertion to withdraw fluid around baby), is done and it is usually not a one time thing.  (kind of a side note, I joined a ttts fb group and came across a friend from high school who is just going through it.  She had to have the surgery, but one of the babies died at 20weeks, now she is waiting to deliver anytime and will deliver one healthy baby and one dead baby…..brings all this to reality)

So each week is very intense going in to the MFM specialist to make sure that I won’t be classified in the TTTS category.  This past week was a relief, but also a stress since the babies measured 26% difference.  Usually there are 4 reasons why babies have that big of a difference who are mono/di twins.  TTTS, blood vessels, cord not fully attached and the most probable for me is a difference in placental share.  A difference in placental share is the best, but also worrisome.  The difference will probably get worse and depending on what it does and how much the smaller baby grows will determine how early the twins will be delivered.  The bigger the gap gets, the sooner they will be born.  My doctors have said that there isn’t much I can do.  Both TTTS and the placental share are really determined as the egg splits in the early days of conception.  It’s all about how much nutrients go to each cord.  I’ve done a lot of research and talked to some people that have dedicated their lives to helping woman in this situation and I’m finding that horizontal bed rest and high protein drinks 3 times a day have shown to help.  I do this the best that I can at this point.  

I have really been stressed over everything and hope each week when I go for my ultrasound that everything is ok.  I am growing larger by the day and my body is showing signs of weakening daily.  I can tell this isn't my first pregnancy either, but my 5th.  

We are very excited though that we are having twin boys!  We just hope and pray daily that I will be able to carry the babies to term and that they will be healthy.  I also pray that they will have equal amounts of fluid and blood flow to each baby and get nutrients that are needed.  After the 20 week ultrasound everyone was so excited to know what the babies are, but the main concern for me was that we were now experiencing a high risk pregnancy and there could be potential problems.  It was a very hard day and no one else even asked if the babies were ok, it was all about if they were boys or girls.  At that point it didn't matter.  All that mattered was the fact that things could be scary.  

I go in tomorrow for another growth scan to measure their progress.  I am so nervous going in for the appts and relieved when they are done with when we get good news.