Names- 2/20

Baby A: Isabella Martha 2/19/09 @ 2:26 pm3 lbs 15 oz17.3 inches

Baby B: Emilia Margaret 2/19/09 @ 2:27 pm4 lbs 0 oz17.7 inches

Happy birthday-February 19th

I had my scheduled doctor's appointment today. At the appointment, I was checked and was a 2cm. The doctor decided to send me to the hospital for monitoring and the biophysical ultrasound (if needed!). Once to the hospital, I found out I was contracting 1.5-2 min apart. They checked my cervic 2 hours after the doctor's appointment and I was at 3 cm. No need for the biophysical ultrasound, I was told at 12:30 I would be having the girls!!! They arrived at 2:26 and 2:27.

Dr. Apptointments galore

I had a Non-stress Test (NST) today at the office. Basically it monitors the babys' heart rate and the uterine activity. It definitely showed I was having contractions... the doctor stated if I was dilated at all she would most likely take the babies. (she said I was only a finger tip) But more of a concern was the fact that Baby A had what they called a flat strip- her heart rate didn't fluctuate at all-- they even tried to zap her. So they sent me to the hospital to have a Biophysical Ultra sound (where they score the babies) due to the fact that Baby A had a non reactive NST. Good news is they both scored an 8. Baby B definitely has a lot more room to move around b/c of the amount of fluid she has. Baby A doesn't have nearly as much.

So now, Joe and I are lucky enough to go to the doctors and to the Maternal Fetal Monitoring semi-weekly. So check back every Monday and Thursday for updates!

Contractions

Yesterday was a little touch and go. We drove to my grandma's in Darien and driving there I was getting contractions every 12 min and after a while, they were 5 minutes apart. We moved the car seat for Christopher into my aunt and uncle's car... I ate a sandwich knowing they wouldn't let me eat if I went into the hospital and then the contractions started spreading out again. My aunt recalled the maternal fetal monitoring specialist say that eating, drinking, and keeping your bladder empty all play a part in your contractions........ so... I never ended up going in! I have an appointment around 10 today.

Home Sweet Home

I am now home. I have some restrictions-- not too much walking, rest frequently, no housework, etc. However, I still get to go to work!


On a sad note, when I got home Christopher wanted his Dada... :( I was chop liver!

A Fall and Contractions

A little excitment... I fell going back into work yesterday.(Thursday).. right off the curb into the street. (go ahead chuckle... I do everytime I say it.) I don't think I hit my belly.... my knees and hands protected them I have the proof. Luckily I was out there with a friend (thanks Colleen) and she literally had to help me up and out of the street.

I wasn't going to call the doctor, but I was encouraged due to possibly causing a jolt. Good thing I did. They had me come in for observation. On my way to my aunts I didn't feel anything, but when I left her house (after I shaved my legs ) contractions starting coming about 4 minutes apart. After getting on the monitor, they were coming every 2 minutes and I could feel them. (I never felt contractions with Christopher... even during labor) After they ran some tests and realized that the placentas didn't pull away from the wall, I was given this shot to stop the contractions. They ended up giving me two doses of that. (It helped the contractions and made me feel loopy- my heart rate went up to 157!) Then they gave me a steroid shot for the girls. This is to help their lung maturity in case anything were to happen sooner than later. I was being monitored ALL night and that baby b did not make it pleasant. I think I slept maybe a total 3 hours. I had some kind of ultra sound (bio physical something) this Am- babies are scored and both of mine came to 8/8- which was good news. I am here now until 6 because I need another steroid shot- they give them 24 hours apart. (Ridiculous size needle! in the butt!)

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers.

Growing

This week we found out that there is no uterine activity. I was hooked up to this machine on Monday that made me look like a science experience. They had something on each baby and a device on the uterus and then I had to push buttons... (I had two) to indicate each time I felt the girls move.

At the ultra sound today we found out:

• the girls are still breach (doesn't really matter, I am having a c-section)


• they are looking at each other (no pictures again)


• they are estimating that each of the girls weigh 3lbs. 12oz. (that's 7lbs 80z of baby)

They are showing good growth and they are gaining weight nicely!