We went to the doc on Thursday, May 20th. Everything looked great with the babies! I still have quite a bit of swelling in my hands and feet but I am surviving. The boy is laying in a breach position, or head up, with his head on my right side and the girl is laying transverse, or side ways, with her head on my right side. I have to go back on Monday, June 7th to have a glucose screen. They want to make sure I don't have or am getting gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes causes more complications with mom and baby. The babies usually come out a little larger in moms who have this.
On Friday, I saw the babies move through my stomach for the first time! How awesome to see our babies physically move for the first time. It's one thing seeing it on a screen and quite another to see it outside your belly. Kevin laid his head down on my belly tonight. Our daughter kicked him in the head! Amazing. We went to lamaze classes this weekend and we learned a lot. There are still a lot of decisions that need to be made as far as the birth plan goes. It is a little intimidating making all of these decisions because you want to do what is best for you and the baby. Time will tell. I'm still researching everything.
Until next time,
Charla
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Bedrest - 23 weeks
I went back to see Dr. Bradford again today. I was just sure she would release me from bedrest. I was wrong. She said that I was severely dehydrated and I had an elevated ketone level in my urine. She did another urinalysis and noticed that I had a bladder infection. She is sending another sample to the lab to confirm her diagnosis. Meanwhile, she has me on an antibiotic. She did another pelvic exam and took a culture for a fetal fibronectin test. This test will help to rule out preterm labor. The pelvic exam, alone, is unable to rule it out. At the same time, my cervix is closed and looks "fantastic."
She asked me if I had ever had anxiety. I told her that I had experienced some during college several years ago, but not necessarily lately. She asked about my stress level. I thought, "where do I begin?" I told her about our lawsuit and the problems with our house. She was concerned that Kevin and I both were experiencing a lot of stresses so she suggested marital counseling. Mostly to strengthen our marriage before the babies are born. She said once they're born, it will increase our stress level times ten. Of course, I called the insurance company to find out if they covered marital counseling. With our luck, they don't. Awesome. Not totally sure how this is going to work out now. I will admit that I am extremely worried about giving these babies a good home and a good life. I want to be the best mom ever and I'm scared that I won't live up to mine, Kevin's, or their expectations. I want them to have a great place to live, along with all the necessities, and even extras. Hopefully, we'll be able to give them those extra things.
For now, we decided on buying cribs for both babies. I couldn't help but think that a playard wouldn't be strong enough or soft enough for them to sleep on. We purchased a few sets of clothes and a record book for the baby boy. We're still waiting to see what we'll get from showers before we buy anything else. If we get gift cards, we can go buy the cribs. Is it possible to be excited and scared at the same time?
She asked me if I had ever had anxiety. I told her that I had experienced some during college several years ago, but not necessarily lately. She asked about my stress level. I thought, "where do I begin?" I told her about our lawsuit and the problems with our house. She was concerned that Kevin and I both were experiencing a lot of stresses so she suggested marital counseling. Mostly to strengthen our marriage before the babies are born. She said once they're born, it will increase our stress level times ten. Of course, I called the insurance company to find out if they covered marital counseling. With our luck, they don't. Awesome. Not totally sure how this is going to work out now. I will admit that I am extremely worried about giving these babies a good home and a good life. I want to be the best mom ever and I'm scared that I won't live up to mine, Kevin's, or their expectations. I want them to have a great place to live, along with all the necessities, and even extras. Hopefully, we'll be able to give them those extra things.
For now, we decided on buying cribs for both babies. I couldn't help but think that a playard wouldn't be strong enough or soft enough for them to sleep on. We purchased a few sets of clothes and a record book for the baby boy. We're still waiting to see what we'll get from showers before we buy anything else. If we get gift cards, we can go buy the cribs. Is it possible to be excited and scared at the same time?
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Pelvic Pain - 22 weeks
So I've seen the doctor three times in the past week. I went last Tuesday because I was leaking clear fluid. Luckily, it wasn't amniotic fluid. All she could do was guess what it could be. My regularly scheduled appointment was on Thursday and all was well. On Friday, I started feeling pelvic and pubic bone pain. I googled it and most of the information I found said that it was my body preparing to have the babies and for the most part, it wasn't a big issue. However, in some cases, it could be an indicator of dilation. I called the doctor just to be sure. The nurse said I could come in yesterday at 1:30. I went ahead and scheduled it, not thinking about my baby shower that my co-workers had planned. I looked at my days off and I got docked a half day last Thursday when I was there for 75% of the day. With the issue of my day off and the baby shower, I called to reschedule for today. A few minutes later, the nurse called me back and said they needed to see me today. When I talked to her the first time, she didn't seem like it was much of a concern, which is why I thought I could reschedule it. I left work at 2:00 yesterday afternoon and they got me right in. My back and pelvis was still hurting. When I laid down on the table for the exam, my back and stomach increased in pain. She had me roll over on my side and it got worse. It hurt so bad that I was crying. The doctor was concerned so she hooked me up to a contraction monitor. The monitor didn't show anything but I was still in pain. She sent me over to Harris Hospital to have a high risk doctor evaluate me. They didn't pick up any contractions or funneling of the cervix but I was dehydrated. After strict instructions to drink lots of water, they released me. I arrived around 4:30 and I left shortly before 8:00 with instructions for bed rest until I was cleared by my doctor. Whew! What a day.
I stayed home from work today, per doctor's orders. My baby shower at the school had to be canceled. I was really looking forward to my shower so I'm bummed about having to cancel it. My cousin is planning a shower for family and friends around June 13th. We were going to do it on the 30th but with it being Memorial Day weekend, a lot of people would be out of town so Jodi asked if I could do it on the 13th. We'll see what happens. Kevin's co-workers have generously offered to throw us a shower next month too.
So far, the babies have been doing so well. Most of the movement has been coming from the boy, or so I thought. For the first time, I felt movement today in the upper portion of my belly while I was resting today. It was the girl and I couldn't stop smiling. On the other hand, mommy is worn out and uncomfortable. At least 13 more weeks to go! I can do it.
I stayed home from work today, per doctor's orders. My baby shower at the school had to be canceled. I was really looking forward to my shower so I'm bummed about having to cancel it. My cousin is planning a shower for family and friends around June 13th. We were going to do it on the 30th but with it being Memorial Day weekend, a lot of people would be out of town so Jodi asked if I could do it on the 13th. We'll see what happens. Kevin's co-workers have generously offered to throw us a shower next month too.
So far, the babies have been doing so well. Most of the movement has been coming from the boy, or so I thought. For the first time, I felt movement today in the upper portion of my belly while I was resting today. It was the girl and I couldn't stop smiling. On the other hand, mommy is worn out and uncomfortable. At least 13 more weeks to go! I can do it.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
21 Weeks
Baby girl and boy are still doing well. Neither have names yet, but we're trying to get the list narrowed down. I had my 20 week check up a week and a half ago. The technician was able to see four chambers of the girl's heart, a femur, a tibia, and fibula. She had her hand in front of her face at one point. Both seemed to have all of their organs. He couldn't see the boy's heart very well because of the way he was laying. He was curled up with fists next to his head. We'll check again during my next appointment on May 6th. Hopefully he'll be laying in a better position so we can see his heart clearly.
It's amazing being able to see them on the screen every couple of weeks. I can't imagine having to go a whole month without being able to see them. Going two weeks is tough as it is. It's starting to sink in a little more that babies are coming and soon. Kevin and I are both guessing they'll be born in about 12 weeks. It's a little soon, but with the babies measuring right on target or a week ahead, they may not wait until August. The weeks are going by so fast. It seems like just yesterday I got the call from the doctor saying I was pregnant. The movement in my belly is becoming more constant. It feels like little pops (like a rubberband) or muscle twitches. They seem to move around more when I'm eating or at night when I'm getting ready for bed. Kevin has felt the movements a few times but as soon as he puts his hand on my belly, they stop. I am so excited about meeting the other half of my family in a few months. I cannot wait to have them in my arms!
Kevin is becoming more excited too. He is really worried about the house situation. He wants to make sure they have a proper place to live. I can honestly say that I am proud to have him as my husband and my babies' father. He is going to be a great dad and I can't wait to see him in action.
Carpal tunnel is getting rather bothersome. I now wake up and my fingers are numb. I hear it goes away when they're born. I've put up with it for a month. I can handle three more. I have swelling in my hands and feet also. It gets worse when I stand or walk for very long. It should also go away when they're born. Kevin and I keep wondering if I will end up on bed rest throughout the summer. I hope that's not the case, but hey, if that's what needs to happen in order to have healthy babies, then I'll do it.
On another note, I'm still not sure what hospital they'll be born in. My doctor is affiliated with Baylor All Saints and Harris Methodist in downtown Fort Worth. I was born at Harris and from what I hear, they have a great neonatal unit. I'll ask her at my next appointment.
It's amazing being able to see them on the screen every couple of weeks. I can't imagine having to go a whole month without being able to see them. Going two weeks is tough as it is. It's starting to sink in a little more that babies are coming and soon. Kevin and I are both guessing they'll be born in about 12 weeks. It's a little soon, but with the babies measuring right on target or a week ahead, they may not wait until August. The weeks are going by so fast. It seems like just yesterday I got the call from the doctor saying I was pregnant. The movement in my belly is becoming more constant. It feels like little pops (like a rubberband) or muscle twitches. They seem to move around more when I'm eating or at night when I'm getting ready for bed. Kevin has felt the movements a few times but as soon as he puts his hand on my belly, they stop. I am so excited about meeting the other half of my family in a few months. I cannot wait to have them in my arms!
Kevin is becoming more excited too. He is really worried about the house situation. He wants to make sure they have a proper place to live. I can honestly say that I am proud to have him as my husband and my babies' father. He is going to be a great dad and I can't wait to see him in action.
Carpal tunnel is getting rather bothersome. I now wake up and my fingers are numb. I hear it goes away when they're born. I've put up with it for a month. I can handle three more. I have swelling in my hands and feet also. It gets worse when I stand or walk for very long. It should also go away when they're born. Kevin and I keep wondering if I will end up on bed rest throughout the summer. I hope that's not the case, but hey, if that's what needs to happen in order to have healthy babies, then I'll do it.
On another note, I'm still not sure what hospital they'll be born in. My doctor is affiliated with Baylor All Saints and Harris Methodist in downtown Fort Worth. I was born at Harris and from what I hear, they have a great neonatal unit. I'll ask her at my next appointment.
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