Since I last posted!!!
Ridiculous. Unexcusable. So sorry my friends....
I'm currently 30 weeks pregnant, which means I'm almost done with this pregnancy stuff. I'll give you the short version of how I'm doing.
Physically, things are pretty tough but going well. I've successfully avoided bedrest (YAY!) so far, but its only by a slim margin. I've gained about 37 pounds which is right on track and my baby belly measures as big as a 35 week singleton pregnancy. The third trimester apparently often brings back many first trimester symptoms so I'm back to battling the nausea and generally hating food (except hardboiled eggs and shrimp). My blood pressure has been a little high and I'm struggling to manage life and not overdo things. For me, that'e been challenging and I'm pretty much over sitting around and not getting things done. Of course its worth my health and the health of our girls, but it doesnt mean that I have to like it. I am still working at Eastern State Hospital, which means a hour commute each way. I'm only working 6 hour days and half days on fridays though which has been helping. Oh, and I can't really do things like put on socks or pick up pencils that I drop on the floor. So I rely on so many wonderful people that constantly help me, and I'm working on training my dogs to pick things up for me...we're even making a little progress!
The babies are doing well. At 28 weeks Baby A weighed 2lbs 13 oz and Baby B weighed 2 lbs 7 oz. These weights were normal, however they were different enough that we have to start watching their weights for any signficant differences. With identical twins there is a risk of Twin to Twin transfusion syndrome which means that the bigger twin takes blood and nutrients from the smaller twin. It can be life threatening in its extreme forms. Fortunately, the babies are far enough along that they are out of the real danger zone with TTTS, but if things go downhill, my doctors will have to induce me early so that nothing bad happens.
Speaking of induction, full term for twins is 37 weeks, and most twins are born between 35-37 weeks. At 30 weeks pediatricians say a baby will develop normally even though they are small and have to stay in the hospital for awhile (we're already there!!! yay!) At 34 weeks a baby is totally done developing, specifically their lungs are mature and they are just hanging out gaining weight. Dan and I are really praying to make it to 34 weeks and so far we have no indication that we won't go that far.
The girls are constantly moving around and kicking, turning, swirling, jabbing, etc.... It's so fun to be able to feel them really moving. Baby B is transverse across the top of my belly and you can very easily feel her head and little baby butt. Baby A is head down with her head resting on my bladder. They are basically in a T shape. Its really so amazing... Please continue to pray for us as we get through these last few hard weeks.
So thats the medical update of both mom and babies. Now onto the updates of the fun stuff!
