Tomorrow, I will have made it to 34 weeks (the magic number!) Hooray! After my meeting with Bradford yesterday, she moved me to a room with a view of the street and gave me wheelchair privileges for 20 minutes a day. The protein dipstick showed a protein level hovering around 1+ and 2+. My blood pressures are still not stable. They're slowly creeping upward. She increased my blood pressure medication last week. She increased it again this week, and again today. She said I will not make it three more weeks. At some point, she said, we're going to look at each other and say, "we're done." She doesn't want me getting sicker just to buy a few more days. With the dipstick showing higher protein levels, she is having me do another 24 hour urine collection. We should know more tomorrow. If I continue going down the path of wavering blood pressures and protein, we're going to call it and take them early. They look great on the sono. They're probably close to 6 lbs now. During the BPP (biophysical profile) today, the girl was awake and moving. The boy, on the other hand, would not wake up. The doctor had to nudge my belly three times to get him to move. Poor thing. He's just like his mommy.
That's all I have for now. I have a headache and I only had about 2 hours of sleep.
Charla
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Are We There Yet?
I am getting anxious to have these babies. Being pregnant is wearing me down. I'm uncomfortable no matter how I lay. My skin itches, I have swelling in my abdomen, I'm congested and can't take my allergy shots, and my blood pressure is still hovering in the 150's/80's with blood pressure medication.
I woke up with a serious headache this morning, and it still hasn't gone away. Because of my headache, the doctor had them draw blood from me today. The results showed my liver tests to be normal again, but my platelet count has dropped. This is another thing they're watching for. They'll probably take more blood in the next couple of days to see if the platelet count is changing.
Kevin came by and stayed for a few hours. He had to leave, though, to go take care of pets. I wish he could stay the whole time I'm here. It's hard dealing with this alone. I know there are people praying for me, but I could use someone to advocate and question the staff when need be. It's a great stresser for me to do it all the time, especially when I'm exhausted and feeling like crud most of the day. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and I am strong. I can muddle through the tough stuff to meet my babies for the first time.
Charla, Baby Boy and Baby Girl
I woke up with a serious headache this morning, and it still hasn't gone away. Because of my headache, the doctor had them draw blood from me today. The results showed my liver tests to be normal again, but my platelet count has dropped. This is another thing they're watching for. They'll probably take more blood in the next couple of days to see if the platelet count is changing.
Kevin came by and stayed for a few hours. He had to leave, though, to go take care of pets. I wish he could stay the whole time I'm here. It's hard dealing with this alone. I know there are people praying for me, but I could use someone to advocate and question the staff when need be. It's a great stresser for me to do it all the time, especially when I'm exhausted and feeling like crud most of the day. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and I am strong. I can muddle through the tough stuff to meet my babies for the first time.
Charla, Baby Boy and Baby Girl
Thursday, July 22, 2010
33 Weeks - We Made It Another Week!
I just had another sonogram about an hour ago. Both babies are still measuring about two weeks ahead. Praise the Lord! Two weeks ago, their estimated weights were a little over 4 lbs. This week, the boy is measuring at 5 lbs 7 oz and the girl is measuring at 5 lbs 3 oz. Wow - that is 11 lbs of baby and I'm not even full term. The boy is head down in my pelvis. I take it he's ready to come out now. The girl is not in as much of a hurry. She's still in a transverse (across) position on the top of my belly. She made it a point to let the doctor know she didn't care to be watched. She punched my belly when the sonogram wand was on top of her. Silly girl. :) I hate that Kevin missed another sonogram. He's missed the last three growth sonograms that we've had on them so I am disappointed. This may be the last one we have and he wasn't there for it.
I have no family staying with me to advocate for me if I need it and it wears me out having to watch everything the nurses do to me to make sure it's what I need. I'm exhausted. When I first got here, one of the nurses walked in and asked if I needed anything. I told her it was time for my insulin and dinner. She honestly looked at me and said, "Insulin? I don't have orders for insulin." She walked out of the room and a few minutes later, came back in with the medicine cart and said, "Oh, we do have orders for insulin." That seriously worried me. I have had to remind them about insulin three times now.
Yesterday, the nurse gave me insulin before breakfast, as she should have. Although, with the insulin, I am supposed to eat within 15 minutes. After giving my insulin, she did my vital signs and listened to the babies a little, which probably took 10-15 minutes. She went to go get my tray and I didn't see her again for another 15 minutes. This wouldn't have bothered me as much if I weren't looking out for my son and daughter too. Luckily, I had some crackers on hand and I helped myself until she finally came back. By the way, the nurses have to bring me my food since I'm on a diabetic diet. They have to check it first. Last night, I got my insulin and then my tray. The food on the tray was definitely not what I circled on the menu, nor is it anything I would have eaten. I asked the dietary person to get me a salad instead, since I wasn't sure what I had actually ordered. 30 minutes later, I was able to eat. Now, I have to ask them to bring the tray in here and check it first before they do my insulin. They were on the ball a little more the last time I was in here.
The patient care technician that I have today is getting on my nerves. Everytime she comes in, she asks for my name and date of birth. So, even though I've said it 10-15 times today, she still pronounces my last name wrong. I know that I do not have an "o" in my last name anywhere. On top of that, she will come in and do my blood sugar and then come in 30 minutes later to do my vitals. She could do them at the same time. Other technicians and nurses take the advantage while they're in here and do them at the same time. So, I've had very little sleep. The people next door had their kids here and they were noisy so the nurse brought me a fan so I could sleep. That was the best sleep since I got here! God Bless this nurse!
Dr. Bradford came by this afternoon around 4:00. She said the babies were looking great and she was happy with the progress we're making. She is concerned about sending me home with my blood pressure being wacky so she wants to keep me in the hospital at least another few days. She wants to do another round of labs, also, in a couple of days to see where I am. When I asked her about delivery, she said that she is definitely not letting me go past 37 weeks. With as fast as they are growing, I'm sure we won't have that problem. As far as how they are delivered, we're not sure. It all depends on their position. If they stay in the position they're in now, she will recommend a cesarian. If one comes out head first and the other tries to come out breach, she will want to do a cesarian. Going through both methods of birth equals to longer healing time. We'll see what happens. It's all up to them right now.
Hugs and Kisses,
Momma and babies
I have no family staying with me to advocate for me if I need it and it wears me out having to watch everything the nurses do to me to make sure it's what I need. I'm exhausted. When I first got here, one of the nurses walked in and asked if I needed anything. I told her it was time for my insulin and dinner. She honestly looked at me and said, "Insulin? I don't have orders for insulin." She walked out of the room and a few minutes later, came back in with the medicine cart and said, "Oh, we do have orders for insulin." That seriously worried me. I have had to remind them about insulin three times now.
Yesterday, the nurse gave me insulin before breakfast, as she should have. Although, with the insulin, I am supposed to eat within 15 minutes. After giving my insulin, she did my vital signs and listened to the babies a little, which probably took 10-15 minutes. She went to go get my tray and I didn't see her again for another 15 minutes. This wouldn't have bothered me as much if I weren't looking out for my son and daughter too. Luckily, I had some crackers on hand and I helped myself until she finally came back. By the way, the nurses have to bring me my food since I'm on a diabetic diet. They have to check it first. Last night, I got my insulin and then my tray. The food on the tray was definitely not what I circled on the menu, nor is it anything I would have eaten. I asked the dietary person to get me a salad instead, since I wasn't sure what I had actually ordered. 30 minutes later, I was able to eat. Now, I have to ask them to bring the tray in here and check it first before they do my insulin. They were on the ball a little more the last time I was in here.
The patient care technician that I have today is getting on my nerves. Everytime she comes in, she asks for my name and date of birth. So, even though I've said it 10-15 times today, she still pronounces my last name wrong. I know that I do not have an "o" in my last name anywhere. On top of that, she will come in and do my blood sugar and then come in 30 minutes later to do my vitals. She could do them at the same time. Other technicians and nurses take the advantage while they're in here and do them at the same time. So, I've had very little sleep. The people next door had their kids here and they were noisy so the nurse brought me a fan so I could sleep. That was the best sleep since I got here! God Bless this nurse!
Dr. Bradford came by this afternoon around 4:00. She said the babies were looking great and she was happy with the progress we're making. She is concerned about sending me home with my blood pressure being wacky so she wants to keep me in the hospital at least another few days. She wants to do another round of labs, also, in a couple of days to see where I am. When I asked her about delivery, she said that she is definitely not letting me go past 37 weeks. With as fast as they are growing, I'm sure we won't have that problem. As far as how they are delivered, we're not sure. It all depends on their position. If they stay in the position they're in now, she will recommend a cesarian. If one comes out head first and the other tries to come out breach, she will want to do a cesarian. Going through both methods of birth equals to longer healing time. We'll see what happens. It's all up to them right now.
Hugs and Kisses,
Momma and babies
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
32 Weeks, 6 Days: Hospital Update
The results came back on my 24 hour urine collection. They were 535, a little elevated. When pregnant, they give you up to 300. The odd thing is that when I did the 24 hour urine collection last Friday, it was over 1,000. When I was in the hospital last time, the collection taken by her office produced a result of over a 1,000 as well but when I got to the hospital, it had dropped to 400. The doctor came by this morning and I asked her what was causing the drop in the numbers. The collection method hadn't changed so there shouldn't be that much of a discrepancy. She said she wasn't sure but she put in a call to the representatives at the labs to figure out what was going on. She seemed irritated by it because she doesn't know which result to rely on.
On a positive note, my blood pressures have been better, thanks to the increase in blood pressure medication. The results from Monday's blood test came in and they showed that one of my liver function tests was 2 points out of the normal range. She said it wasn't anything freak out over yet but we will definitely be watching it to see if it changes.
Last night, she was talking like we had days left and today, she sounded like we had a week or more. She said she can't really say for sure simply because things can turn on a dime and change the course of action quickly. So, now, we wait. We wait for either the babies to come on their own or for a drastic change in data to cause her to take them now. Either way, we need to make it to at least 34 weeks. According to the doc, we have done everything possible to help the babies when they are born. It is possible that if they are born at 34 weeks, that they will be able to go home within a few days. It is also possible that they will have to stay. It depends on their weight, their ability to keep their own body temperature, and whether they can breathe and feed.
She wants to keep me here another day to see what the high risk doctor has to say. If we get his "seal of approval", she will let me go home. This is definitely a glimmer of hope. :)
Charla
On a positive note, my blood pressures have been better, thanks to the increase in blood pressure medication. The results from Monday's blood test came in and they showed that one of my liver function tests was 2 points out of the normal range. She said it wasn't anything freak out over yet but we will definitely be watching it to see if it changes.
Last night, she was talking like we had days left and today, she sounded like we had a week or more. She said she can't really say for sure simply because things can turn on a dime and change the course of action quickly. So, now, we wait. We wait for either the babies to come on their own or for a drastic change in data to cause her to take them now. Either way, we need to make it to at least 34 weeks. According to the doc, we have done everything possible to help the babies when they are born. It is possible that if they are born at 34 weeks, that they will be able to go home within a few days. It is also possible that they will have to stay. It depends on their weight, their ability to keep their own body temperature, and whether they can breathe and feed.
She wants to keep me here another day to see what the high risk doctor has to say. If we get his "seal of approval", she will let me go home. This is definitely a glimmer of hope. :)
Charla
Monday, July 19, 2010
32 Weeks...What's New?
I saw Dr. Bradford on Wednesday and all was fine. My blood pressure was a little higher (in the 140s) and I had a trace of protein in my urine so she asked me to do a 24 hour urine collection. I saw Dr. Howard on Thursday and my blood pressure was still high so he increased my blood pressure medication from once a day to twice a day. The sonogram was cool. I saw little fingers on the babies for the first time. They were still practice breathing, which is still awesome to see. At one point, I saw a hand up by the girl's face. I mentioned how cute that was to the sonographer. She said, "Um, that's actually the boy's hand." Great, so now my son is already smacking his sister on the head and face. Ha! As silly as it is, it was so adorable. I can't wait to meet these little people.
On Friday night, Kevin checked my blood pressure and it read 180/100 before I took my medication. 20 minutes after, it measured at 160/80, and an hour afterwards, it measured 146/60. Saturday morning, we checked it again about an hour after I had taken the medication and it was 150/95. With it being so high, I called the doctor's office and spoke to the doctor on call, Dr. Robbins. She suggested that I go to Maternal Observation to be monitored. They hooked me up to monitors and checked my blood pressure. Babies heartbeats were fine and my blood pressure went down a little. Dr. Robbins came by and increased my BP medication dosage to three times a day and said that I needed to follow up with Dr. Bradford on Monday.
Sunday, we had a birthday party for all of the family's summer birthdays: me, Amie, my husband - Kevin, my uncle Kevin, and my dad. Amazing how so many people in the family have a summer birthday. That's about half the family and we're about to add two more to summer birthdays!
Kevin had a dream a couple of months ago that the babies would be born on July 21st. If that comes true, we're looking at Wednesday. I am completely uncomfortable. My fingers are swollen and numb. They get worse when I lay on my side, which is what the doctor wants me to do. My legs are swollen and I have swelling/cellulite/pain or whatever in the lower part of my abdomen. As much as I want them delivered as soon as possible to relieve me of this uncomfortableness and pain, I know they need to incubate as long as possible.
Anyway, I followed up with Dr. Bradford today. The results of my 24 hour urine collection showed a urine protein level of over a thousand. My blood pressure was 115/65, which is better. She was concerned for my welfare and the babies so she admitted me to the hospital...again. I knew she would so I had my bags packed the night before and they were in the trunk of mom's car. Dr. Bradford said she wants to keep them in there for at least another two weeks before we consider the possibility of taking them early. If any of us are in danger, we'll do it sooner.
We went straight to the hospital from her office. The staff wasn't nearly as on top of things as they were when I was admitted last time. I find myself asking more questions and verifying everything with the nurses. They make mistakes and I don't want them to make them on me if I can help it. They might be getting tired of me, but someone else needs to look out for me. I know what needs to be done and when. When they do something different, I question it. Thank God I did because they almost gave me the wrong insulin. Luckily I said something so they were able to call the doctor and get it sorted out. I'm supposed to have snacks throughout the day, also, but that never happened. They were also supposed to give me my meds at 9 o'clock but they never did. Luckily, Kevin brought me mine from home so I took them on my own.
I'm also getting annoyed and restless. I haven't even been in here a day yet and I'm going nuts. My back muscles are hurting and there's nothing to do. My family aren't coming to see me, or at least they didn't last time. It's depressing being here all day by yourself. I know it's almost over, but it's hard.
Charla
On Friday night, Kevin checked my blood pressure and it read 180/100 before I took my medication. 20 minutes after, it measured at 160/80, and an hour afterwards, it measured 146/60. Saturday morning, we checked it again about an hour after I had taken the medication and it was 150/95. With it being so high, I called the doctor's office and spoke to the doctor on call, Dr. Robbins. She suggested that I go to Maternal Observation to be monitored. They hooked me up to monitors and checked my blood pressure. Babies heartbeats were fine and my blood pressure went down a little. Dr. Robbins came by and increased my BP medication dosage to three times a day and said that I needed to follow up with Dr. Bradford on Monday.
Sunday, we had a birthday party for all of the family's summer birthdays: me, Amie, my husband - Kevin, my uncle Kevin, and my dad. Amazing how so many people in the family have a summer birthday. That's about half the family and we're about to add two more to summer birthdays!
Kevin had a dream a couple of months ago that the babies would be born on July 21st. If that comes true, we're looking at Wednesday. I am completely uncomfortable. My fingers are swollen and numb. They get worse when I lay on my side, which is what the doctor wants me to do. My legs are swollen and I have swelling/cellulite/pain or whatever in the lower part of my abdomen. As much as I want them delivered as soon as possible to relieve me of this uncomfortableness and pain, I know they need to incubate as long as possible.
Anyway, I followed up with Dr. Bradford today. The results of my 24 hour urine collection showed a urine protein level of over a thousand. My blood pressure was 115/65, which is better. She was concerned for my welfare and the babies so she admitted me to the hospital...again. I knew she would so I had my bags packed the night before and they were in the trunk of mom's car. Dr. Bradford said she wants to keep them in there for at least another two weeks before we consider the possibility of taking them early. If any of us are in danger, we'll do it sooner.
We went straight to the hospital from her office. The staff wasn't nearly as on top of things as they were when I was admitted last time. I find myself asking more questions and verifying everything with the nurses. They make mistakes and I don't want them to make them on me if I can help it. They might be getting tired of me, but someone else needs to look out for me. I know what needs to be done and when. When they do something different, I question it. Thank God I did because they almost gave me the wrong insulin. Luckily I said something so they were able to call the doctor and get it sorted out. I'm supposed to have snacks throughout the day, also, but that never happened. They were also supposed to give me my meds at 9 o'clock but they never did. Luckily, Kevin brought me mine from home so I took them on my own.
I'm also getting annoyed and restless. I haven't even been in here a day yet and I'm going nuts. My back muscles are hurting and there's nothing to do. My family aren't coming to see me, or at least they didn't last time. It's depressing being here all day by yourself. I know it's almost over, but it's hard.
Charla
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Doc Update: Week 31
We made it another week! Whew!! I saw Dr. Bradford on Tuesday and everything looked good. She increased my insulin by adding two units before dinner since my blood sugars were higher around then. She did an FFN test, also, which predicts if pre-term labor will occur. So far, I have gained about 29 pounds. For being pregnant with two babies, that is fabulous! The doc originally said I should gain anywhere between 40 and 60 pounds for twins so I'm doing well.
I had another appointment today with Dr. Howard, the high risk doctor. They tried to hook me up to heartrate monitors but neither of the babies were having it. The nurse never could get a good heartrate for either one since they were moving so much. She tried for about 10 minutes before giving up and just putting me in the sonogram room. They did a biophysical profile and a growth for both babies. When they measured the femurs on both babies, they were measuring about 33 weeks (2 weeks ahead!) They estimated the weights to be 4 lbs. 4 oz and 4 lbs. 6 oz. I was so shocked at how much they weighed that I didn't even pay attention to which one was which! Last I read, they should be weighing between 3.5 and 4 lbs. now. On top of the growth spurt, I saw their diaphragms moving today! They call this "practice breathing". Their lungs still aren't mature but the diaphragm movement helps prepare them for breathing on the outside. I could not only see the diaphragms moving, but I could also see the up and down movement of their bellies. How amazing! I hate that Kevin missed this. He had to work so my mom went with me instead. Finally, they both look like they are trying to work their way towards a "head down" position. The boy is already there. The girl looks like she's turning that way. Their feet and butts are right next to each other on the left side of my belly. The girl's head is on my right side, about even with my belly button. It won't be much longer before these babies make their debut to the world. :)
Love,
Charla and fast-growing babies
I had another appointment today with Dr. Howard, the high risk doctor. They tried to hook me up to heartrate monitors but neither of the babies were having it. The nurse never could get a good heartrate for either one since they were moving so much. She tried for about 10 minutes before giving up and just putting me in the sonogram room. They did a biophysical profile and a growth for both babies. When they measured the femurs on both babies, they were measuring about 33 weeks (2 weeks ahead!) They estimated the weights to be 4 lbs. 4 oz and 4 lbs. 6 oz. I was so shocked at how much they weighed that I didn't even pay attention to which one was which! Last I read, they should be weighing between 3.5 and 4 lbs. now. On top of the growth spurt, I saw their diaphragms moving today! They call this "practice breathing". Their lungs still aren't mature but the diaphragm movement helps prepare them for breathing on the outside. I could not only see the diaphragms moving, but I could also see the up and down movement of their bellies. How amazing! I hate that Kevin missed this. He had to work so my mom went with me instead. Finally, they both look like they are trying to work their way towards a "head down" position. The boy is already there. The girl looks like she's turning that way. Their feet and butts are right next to each other on the left side of my belly. The girl's head is on my right side, about even with my belly button. It won't be much longer before these babies make their debut to the world. :)
Love,
Charla and fast-growing babies
Saturday, July 3, 2010
30 Weeks - We Made It!
30 weeks may not seem like much to celebrate but it is to me. Considering I was in the hospital at 27 weeks, I didn't think I would make it this far. My next milestone is 34 weeks. I'm taking it week by week though. I saw the high risk doctor last Friday and he did a sonogram. All looks good with the babies. My blood sugar and blood pressure both look good also. He did an FFN (fetal fibronectin) test to see if I would go into labor in the next couple of weeks. It was extremely painful. I had this done once before at my regular doctor's office and it didn't hurt like that. Right then, I made the decision that my regular doctor would be performing those from now on.
I saw Dr. Bradford this Wednesday and she said I was doing really well. She wants to see me again next Tuesday for a checkup and I will see the high risk doctor again on Wednesday. He is supposed to do a biophysical profile to check the growth of the twins then. They do this to make sure they are getting the nutrients and growing like they should be. Basically, they do an assessment of whether the babies are better off inside or outside the uterus.
On another note, Kevin is doing really well at his job. He just got put in charge of something major on his project. We don't know if it comes with a raise or not, but it definitely looks good for him if he does a good job. He just completed another project and they went out to celebrate last night after work. He has done so much around here that I don't mind if he goes out. He deserves it. Since July 4th is coming up, he has a four day weekend so we get to spend some time together. I ordered some stuff online from Target and Babies R Us so we'll go through that in the next couple of weeks. We still need to get the crib put together and the room straightened up since it won't be much longer before they arrive. There's so much to do but I still can't wait!
Hugs and kisses,
Charla and babies
I saw Dr. Bradford this Wednesday and she said I was doing really well. She wants to see me again next Tuesday for a checkup and I will see the high risk doctor again on Wednesday. He is supposed to do a biophysical profile to check the growth of the twins then. They do this to make sure they are getting the nutrients and growing like they should be. Basically, they do an assessment of whether the babies are better off inside or outside the uterus.
On another note, Kevin is doing really well at his job. He just got put in charge of something major on his project. We don't know if it comes with a raise or not, but it definitely looks good for him if he does a good job. He just completed another project and they went out to celebrate last night after work. He has done so much around here that I don't mind if he goes out. He deserves it. Since July 4th is coming up, he has a four day weekend so we get to spend some time together. I ordered some stuff online from Target and Babies R Us so we'll go through that in the next couple of weeks. We still need to get the crib put together and the room straightened up since it won't be much longer before they arrive. There's so much to do but I still can't wait!
Hugs and kisses,
Charla and babies
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