31 weeks and counting

I'm a terrible blogger. I'll admit it. I never kept a diary or journal either. I love to write, and in fact do it for a living, but jotting down personal information is not really my thing.

But, in the days and weeks ahead, I want to do a better job of using this blog, even if just for myself.

We are 31 weeks and 3 days. Baby A is 3.7 pounds and Baby B is 3.11 pounds. They are doing great and moving around a lot. Pregnancy is so amazing!!! Pregnancy with twins adds a whole other level to the miracle and wonder of it all, not to mention the worry and stress.

Speaking of stress, it's a bad thing. And apparently being 34 with a family history or hypertension and twin pregnancy equals Pre-Eclampisa :(

We went for a growth ultrasound and check up on Thursday (Aug. 30) and ended up being admitted to the hospital for elevated blood pressure. (162/102). Not good. But the girls looked awesome and were looking at each other! They are both breech and their heads are near my stomach/diaphragm...a bit uncomfortable at times.

So our status as of today: still in hospital with a small chance of going home on bedrest at the end of the week. If I'm sitting straight up, BP is elevated. If I'm lying down, it is in the 130s/140s over 70s/80s. There is definitely a pattern.

I have been assured that if we delivery this early, the girls would do really well. Yes, they will be in the NICU for a bit, but the prognosis is very positive. I have been given a round of steroids to mature the babies' lungs. Ideally, they want to get me to 34 weeks and then we'll do a c-section. At 34 weeks they still may need the NICU, but all is very positive.

The risk of seizure (for me) is the real concern with pre-e. They have me on Procardia to help with Braxton Hicks contractions and a nice side effect is that it helps lower blood pressure. We're just praying that things will work out for the best!

Dear Lord, please watch over me and our baby girls. Keep my blood pressure in check and let our babies continue to grow in utero. We love them so much.

In Jesus' name. Amen.

Mrs. W

Excited Trepidation

What a month it's been! Good news first - we are 15 weeks and 3 days today! Thank you Lord! I had a check up on Friday and quickly saw the babies on ultrasound. Both had 140s heartbeats and were wiggling around. (It is so amazing to see them moving!)

Thankfully, we seem to have made it through a few hurdles. I had bright red bleeding 4 times during April...the 1st, 7th, 13th, and 18th. Praise God it has stopped. Although I was done with supplemental progesterone, they put me back on it for a few weeks. I was using Endometrin before, but my OB put me on Crinone 8% gel because a study indicated it helps stop bleeding. Not my favorite stuff--I'm pretty sure I've had a build up from it. Yuck! Friday was the last day I used it and I hope I won't need it again.

After many ultrasounds (I mean, many! One week they saw me 3 times!) They finally saw what was happening. I have/had a subchorionic hematoma/hemorrhage. Basically, it's a pocket of blood in the uterus, outside of the gestational sacs. Fortunately it hasn't harmed the babies. Also, at my 13-week appointment, it appeared that the cause of the hematoma was part of Baby B's placenta that broke away. From what my OB said, sometimes there is too much placental tissue, so a lobe of it will break away. As it is in the process of "dying" it bleeds out. We were still able to see a small pocket at Friday's appointment, but they can tell it is "old" blood and are not concerned about it. It may or may not come out, but I will know not to panic if it does.

We go back at 17 weeks for the anatomy scan. Not just to find out what we're having (yes, we are giving in and have decided that we want to know), but also for them to do a thorough check of each baby. Apparently with twins this will take about an hour. 

Mother's Day was wonderful! Hubby and my stepsons took me out for a late lunch and gave me very nice cards. The one from Hubby and babies made me cry...it was SO sweet and unexpected. I couldn't have asked for a better day. (Although next year's will be really special!)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the miracle of life. We are so blessed to have two sweet babies on the way. Please continue to let them be healthy and let my body be a safe environment for them. All praise to you! In Jesus' name, Amen.

Mrs. W

Ups and Downs

It's been nearly a month since I've posted...frankly, because I've either a) been too tired or b) been preoccupied with graduate school work. I'm happy to report, though, that everything is fine and I am 11 weeks and 1 day pregnant today! I had my first OB appointment yesterday and was able to see both babies on ultrasound. (The first one done on my tummy!) Heartbeats were in the 160s and both are measuring in the 11th week. Baby B was literally doing flips! It was so cool!

In the last month we've had some ups and downs. At 9wks 3 days I had watery, bright red bleeding. It was only one time when I went to the bathroom, but of course enough to terrify me. It was a Sunday, so I spent the rest of the day in bed or on the couch. Fortunately I had an ultrasound with my RE the next day and everything was fine. Baby A's hb was 185 and Baby B's was 165. The RE found a small pocket of blood at the bottom of my uterus, near my cervix. He said it was likely the source of the bleeding and that it would probably happen some more. I continued to have brown spotting the rest of the week.

Then on Good Friday it happened again. This time it was dark red and brown. Brown spotting (heavy at times) continued over Easter weekend and I went back to my RE on Monday for another ultrasound. Again, thank the Lord, the babies were doing just fine. Baby A: 188 hb & 37mm, Baby B: 166 hb & 36.5mm. The RE could no longer see the pocket of blood or any source of it. I graduated to the OB!!!

Unfortunately, the OB that I wanted to see is booked for October/November due dates. So I had get on with another office. I wasn't too keen about being seen by multiple doctors, but it's the only choice, so it will be fine. Many of my friends have used this office and been really happy there.

I was so glad to have my first appointment yesterday because (TMI...and gross!) I passed a dark brown, prune-sized clot on Tuesday. I guess the RE using the giant ultrasound wand dislodged it. Of course I've still had brown spotting all this week. When the OB checked me, he saw what I was talking about it, but thankfully the babies are doing really well. They couldn't find the source of any bleeding either, but said it does happen and more often with multiples.

He mentioned placenta previa (where the placenta is very close or on top of the cervix) could be causing it. But, he also said that is not a term they usually use in early pregnancy because as the uterus grows, the placenta typically moves higher up and the situations rights itself. If that is what's going on, I pray that it will fix itself and we will not have any complications.

Getting to 31 weeks (preferably 36) is the goal!

We're almost ready to start telling people. And we're going to have to soon, because I'm beginning to show a little. Only 1 pair of pants still fit. Thank goodness for hairbands and safety pins! I think I might have to break down and buy one or two pair of maternity pants over the weekend. (Maybe I should go out of town to do it! I really don't want people to know yet.) We'll see.

Heavenly Father, blessed are you, creator of all things. Thank you for the miracle of two lives you have given to Hubby and me. We are overwhelmed with joy and excitement...peppered with anxiety and worry. I pray that you have your hands around these sweet babies and are protecting them. Please let them continue to grow normally and have strong heartbeats. Make any bleeding/discharge stop and let all of us relax and enjoy this wonderful time. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Mrs. W

A Mixed Emotions Day

We had our second ultrasound today and both babies are doing really well. Baby B has a little bit smaller gestational sac than Baby A, but the RE didn't seem to be concerned about it. Baby A is now 10mm crown to rump length (CRL). Baby B is 11mm CRL. Both have heartbeats around 165...they were definitely much faster than last week!

Hubby asked the doctor if there is still a chance that we could lose one or both. Of course there is a small chance, but he felt that because of the growth and heartbeats that both should be OK. Thank you most wonderful Lord!!!

We have to wait 2 weeks this time for the next ultrasound, which is going to be hard for me, but I feel much better that everything is going to be OK this time. Actually, this is the furthest we've ever gotten. We lost our first two babies either right at or just before 7 weeks, so now that we are 7 wks. 4 days, we are doing really well. 

I thought for sure that I was going to get sick this morning during a meeting, but I didn't. I feel certain it was my nerves. My symptoms continue to be: very tender bbs, frequent urination (especially evening/night), tired all day, off and on mild abdominal cramping, a little feeling of nausea on occasion, and some sensitivity to food/odors. I couldn't eat red meat right now if it was the only thing edible on the planet! The thought of a cheeseburger makes me want to throw up! (And I usually like cheeseburgers.)

With great news sometimes comes sad news. Have you ever heard the theory that when one life in a family is taken another life is given to that family? For example, I was born 2 weeks before my great grandmother passed away. My grandma says she was holding on just to be sure I was born and healthy! My sister-in-law was pregnant with her daughter when her (and Hubby's) uncle passed away. And now my uncle has passed away. 

My dad called last night to let me know that his younger brother had died. He had been in and out of remission with cancer for years. I know that death is never a good thing for the family, and my aunt and cousins are heartbroken over this loss. My uncle had really declined, though. He was literally half the man he had once been. Although it is terribly sad and he will be greatly missed, I know he is in a better place and no longer suffering. God bless him and my family to get through this difficult time. He leaves behind his wife of 35 years, 4 children, 5 grandchildren, his brother and sister, and a handful of nieces and nephews. Perhaps this loss is the one my family needed for these twins to come into the world. A little strange, I know, but there is definitely a pattern to these sorts of things. I love you uncle and will always remember the fun times we had together.

Mrs. W

It's Twins!!! Praise God!

We just got back from our 6 week ultrasound. Today we are 6 wks. 4 days and I am tickled to report that we are pregnant with TWINS! Right before the RE came in, Hubby said he might pass out if it is twins. Good thing he was sitting down!

Baby A is 4mm with a 120 heartbeat. He/she is hiding a little behind Baby B. Baby B is 6mm with a 120 heartbeat. I asked my RE twice if 120 was good at this point and he assured me it was. He asked me if I had had any bleeding because he saw just a little bit of fluid in my uterus. I told him "no" and asked if it was something to be concerned about. He said it wasn't. (But of course I will be much more on the lookout, now.)

I've found a website that has been really helpful in the last few weeks. I may have mentioned it before, the American Pregnancy Association. Here is a little info about 6-7 week fetal heartbeats:

Generally from 6 ½ -7 weeks is the time when a heartbeat can be detected and
viability can be assessed. A normal heartbeat at 6-7 weeks would be 90-110 beats per minute.
The presence of an embryonic heartbeat is an assuring sign of the health of the pregnancy.
Once a heartbeat is detected, the chance of the pregnancy continuing
ranges from 70-90% dependent on what type of
ultrasound is used.

American Pregnancy Association

So, we've been here before. Pregnancy #1 we also saw/heard a 120 heartbeat. Pregnancy #2 had a 115 heartbeat. Because of my history, my RE is letting me come in a week early for the next ultrasound. So I go back next Monday the 19th. I'm going to do my very best to be super excited and happy about what we saw today. God is SO good!!! No stress, just happiness and prayers for a continued healthy pregnancy.

As for symptoms: I am tired. I pee a lot. My bbs are tender/sore. I have mild abdominal cramping on and off. No vomiting yet, but I have been queasy a few times and I'm definitely having aversions to some smells - like raw meat and air fresheners. I asked my RE about the lack of morning sickness and he said I'm not out of the woods yet. It could very well still come. My mom said she didn't have morning sickness with me or my brother until about 8 weeks, so there is still a chance. My grandmother never got sick while pregnant. I just have to keep trusting that God is seeing me (and the babies) through all of this and we will have a healthy pregnancy that results in live births at term!

Amazing Father, you have blessed us with TWO miracles! Thank you!

Your blessings are bountiful and my cup runneth over. 

Hubby and I are over the moon about seeing our sweet babies and hearing their heartbeats.

It is the greatest sound a mother can hear--until the cries of her newborn.

Lord, in your goodness, hear this prayer. Let me continue to have a healthy pregnancy
and give birth to healthy, perfect babies.

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Mrs. W

Progesterone...Check!

I heard back from my RE's office about my progesterone level. It is 18. The nurse said as long as it is above 10, it is fine. I wanted to know a little more about progesterone levels in early pregnancy and found this information on the American Pregnancy Association's website:

Progesterone levels also can have quite a variance at this stage of pregnancy.
They can range from 9-47ng/ml in the first trimester,
with an average of 12-20ng/ml in the first 5-6 weeks of pregnancy. 

Considering I'm still in week 5, 18 sounds good to me! Thank you, Jesus!

Mrs. W

Going Strong

Thanks be to God! We got a wonderful 2nd beta result on Friday. It was 6,675! That was 21dp3dt. I snooped around on some websites with beta information and found that both of my numbers fall right in the middle of a singleton and twins. Unfortunately, there is just no way to tell until the ultrasound next week. We are very excited, but still feeling cautiously optimistic. If we can get through the next 2 weeks and still have heartbeat(s) and growth, Hubby and I will both feel a lot better. It's like the 2WW all over again!!!

Oh, and if I would just throw up! I know it is crazy, but it will make me feel so much better that things are OK. (I didn't get sick with either of my previous pregnancies.) Most people I know have said that it is around 6 weeks or so that morning sickness kicks in. (Although I do have two IVF friends that never got sick and have healthy children.)

Today we are 5 weeks and 4 days. 

I've got a call in to my RE to find out the progesterone level. Hopefully I'll hear back soon and it will be good. 

As for other "symptoms," still pretty much the same as before. Tender bbs, frequent urination, on and off mild abdominal cramping. I think my sense of smell has heightened a little, but that's a hard one for me because I have always been able to smell really well. (Or at least since I had surgery on my sinuses in 2008).

Continued praise to the Lord for this miracle and prayers that it is a healthy pregnancy that will end up in a healthy, live baby (or babies!).

That's it for today. I hope to have more good news the next time I post!

Mrs. W

Every Little Thing...

After you find out that you're pregnant, you might find yourself obsessing over every little tug, twinge, or feeling. For me, since I have miscarried before, I am analyze every little thing! Hubby and I want this pregnancy to be a healthy one so badly that I feel like I should always "feel something" to know everything is OK.

A "loss" or "lack" of symptoms could mean you have a pending miscarriage. This is what happened for me the first time. Of course, by the time the baby had died, I still had enough pregnancy hormone to make me feel like everything was fine. My bbs were not as sore, though, and I had stopped getting up during the night to use the bathroom. I should have known something was wrong. It was my first pregnancy, though, so I didn't know enough to know.

The second time around, I just started bleeding out of nowhere. I was at my youngest step-son's Little League game and when I got up to walk to the car after the game was over, I felt a gush of really warm fluid. I went straight to the bathroom and knew immediately that there was a problem. Of course, this was after hours, but one of the wonderful IVF nurses met me at the office to give me a progesterone shot to relax my uterus. By the next morning, ultrasound showed no heartbeat.

Each time our losses occurred between 6-8 weeks. I am exactly 5 weeks today, so we aren't at that point yet. I'm terrified for those weeks to come. We will have our first ultrasound on March 12. I'll be 6 weeks, 4 days. We've heard heartbeats before, so I pray that we will again. It will be the next 2 weeks until our 8 week ultrasound that will be the hardest. Please say a prayer that everything will be fine this time and we won't lose any more babies!

Right now I am still having some discomfort in my lower abdomen. (It kind of feels like my period will start, but not quite.) I definitely have to pee more often and my bbs are pretty sensitive.

Just for peace of mind, I'm going in tomorrow for another beta and to check my progesterone level. It will be tomorrow night before someone calls to let me know the level, so it might be a long afternoon.

I also interviewed for a different job yesterday and they said I should hear something tomorrow. Hopefully I will have two really good things to celebrate!

Dear Lord, please let our baby(ies) be healthy. You know how much Hubby and I want this pregnancy to work out. Please grant us this amazing blessing and let us hold our child(ren) in our arms later this year. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Mrs. W 

It's Official! Praise the Lord!

Yesterday was the big day (I just didn't have time to post)! We went for our beta at 11:30 and as soon as I was in the lab, my RE and the 3 IVF nurses were all crowded in waiting to see what the pee test result would be. They were so cute! And all VERY excited that the test was positive.

Unfortunately, the hospital courier had already been by to pick up the morning blood draws, so I didn't get my beta until after 9:00 last night! I was starting to get really anxious.

I mentioned before that I wanted to talk about support groups. Well, I'm a member of an infertility support group that is based out of the church I attend. I started going in February 2011 and those women have become such wonderful friends. Each meeting we cover praises and prayers (not just related to infertility), listen to one another, encourage one another, and discuss the latest chapter of our book. We are currently reading Hannah's Hope, which is excellent!

I was at group last night, waiting for the beta call. Finally by 9:00, I had to call someone, so I got in touch with the IVF coordinator and she was able to tell me the number. 

Are you ready for this???

1752!!! OMG! We might have twins!

She said that all other positive tests came in between 100 and 500, so we broke the record. She was just giggling with joy and so optimistic that this time will be it! Hubby was so relieved to hear this good news, but we are both feeling nervous.

I'm going back on Friday for another beta and for them to check my progesterone level. RE also added a baby aspirin with my prenatal vitamins. He said, "although you were negative for a clotting disorder, baby aspirin won't hurt." By Friday, the beta should be more than 4,000! (From what I understand, if it is multiples and one doesn't survive, the beta could go down and then back up as the singleton develops.) 

Twins is a bit of a scary prospect, but after losing two babies, I will be overjoyed if God blesses us with two babies! 

We received our frozen embryos photo as well. It's below. He said the one on the left has not hatched, but is on the verge, and the one on the right has hatched and is excellent. The mass at the bottom is what will become a baby. I know we are so blessed to have these frozen embryos and I hope we can use them a few years from now. Right now we just want the baby (or babies) in my womb to grow!

Mrs. W