Our Little Litter

It's getting around that time when labor is just around the corner.  I'm waiting for the second my water breaks.  I would like my water to break and to go into labor when the babies feel the timing is right, but the doctor's feel it is best to get the babies out no later than July 31st.  I guess I'm ok with that though because "uncomfortable" doesn't even begin to describe how I feel. I have about 2-4 appointments each week now and for the most part they are going well.  On Monday I went in for my regular antepartum testing, and was scared to see that Wyatt's heart rate was decelerating instead of accelerating.  The nurse watched this go on for 20 minutes and she became increasingly agitated.  I could tell that was not normal, but did not know the urgency of the matter. The nurse ripped off the long sheet of paper print out showing the heart rates and ran out to consult with a doctor.  When she came back she had a wheel chair and another nurse and ...

As you know, I go to Alta Bates hospital twice a week for quick testing to make sure everything is on track.  Well last Thursday I went in and the nurse got me all hooked up.  I had been having contractions all morning, but they felt pretty normal to me.  painful contractions but they were irregular.  From repeat visits and my control issues, I have forced the nurses to teach me what all the numbers on the screen mean and how to read the scribbly print out that they read.  So I'm sitting there watching my contractions show up on the print out and seeing the babies heart rates go out of control.  On top of that I can feel both babies inside me bouncing around like they're avoiding hot coals. The babies heart rates are supposed to be in the 140's with regular spikes into the 160's that last about 15 seconds per spike.  On this day, the kids heart rates were in the 160's-170's and were spiking into the 180's, which is way too high.  Between that an...

I will keep this post short.  There is not much to report except that the babies are doing wonderful.  I go to Alta Bates twice a week where they hook me up to a dopplar that listens to babies heartbeats and one that measures my contractions.  Their heartbeats are strong time after time, and my braxton hicks (fake) contractions are happening frequently.  Below is a picture of how they strap on the dopplar to listen to babies. All hooked up listening to babies heartbeats Just in the past couple of days my real contractions have gotten stronger, more painful and more frequent.  I was up much of last night dealing with them.  The doctor says if drinking water and laying down helps soothe them then I am ok, and not in labor.  Once they get to be regular and don't go away then I'll get myself to the hospital.  I am also starting to swell more than normal these days.  I can't wear my rings anymore, and my feet only fit into certain shoes. ...

I am escaping the summer heat by posting up at a coffee shop with ginger iced tea to write this.  Our apartment is a sweat box, I just can't cool down there. It's been a big couple of weeks!  Renee, Evan's mom came to visit for a few days, we had a couple of doctor appointments and I had a new patient meeting with a pediatrician we are thinking about choosing. It was great to have Renee out for a few days.  I am at a point in the pregnancy where the weight, discomfort and fatigue limit my ability to be out and about.  Therefore, entertaining is not my strong suit, but Renee was great about enjoying a slower pace with me while Evan was at work. Unfortunately the morning that Renee arrived, Eugene was in a cycling accident that resulted in him fracturing a hip and having to head into surgery to get a replacement hip.  Luckily Aimee and Lucas were around to help in addition to a huge outpouring of support that Eugene got from his cycling group and friends. ...

This is my first full week of not being a student, not being an intern, not being an employee,but rather taking care of myself and being a stay at home pregnant woman.  I have cleaned the apartment about 25 times (and it still doesn't feel clean enough).  I go for walks, groom the cats, grocery shop, cook, read books, stretch, volunteer with the twins group we belong to, and meet friends for coffee dates.  Part of me is loving the free time, and part of me is going crazy.  Being busy with one, if not two jobs, plus going to school is manageable and for me and is what I know how to do.  This "relaxation" as they call it, is new territory for me, I'm almost afraid to enjoy it, and I'm sure Evan is dreading the day I say "Babe, I'm not sure I want to go back to work, maybe I should stay home with the kids."  Don't worry, it's not in my blood to not be working :) One of the things I am enjoying the most is reading a book called Trauma Stewardsh...

Happy Memorial Weekend! As I write this post, I'm listening to a mix cd that our friend Gabe gave to us of classical music that is supposed to be good for the little ones to listen to.  I'm trying to create baby genius's of course.  At this point, the babies can hear and can open their eyes.  They probably can't see anything because of how dark it is in there, but their eyes can open and close.  They are growing hair, and should be passing the two pound mark.  I have an ultrasound this coming week, so hopefully we'll get another good look at them! Friday night Evan and I went to the Giants vs. Rockies game.  My friend Sarah gave us her bleacher seats, so we got to sit in the outfield which was a fun change from our usual seats.  Rockies hit a home run just a couple of rows below us, and after the chaos of drunk people fighting over the ball, they ended up throwing it back to the field anyway which is the common practice when the opposing team hits a...

Let's start this post off with a little pregnancy humor.  My friend Sarah sent this to me. Phew it's a hot one today!  Well, it's hot for the bay area.  We got into the 80's, which means cool showers and putting the fan on high because we don't have very much air flow in the apartment.  I got chores out of the way early, so I was able to relax this afternoon before my doctors appointment. I'm seeing the doctor every other week now to keep a close eye on what's going on.  Last week I took the glucose test to check for gestational diabetes, so was looking forward to getting those results today.  The appointment started off well when I learned that I had only gained two pounds since the last appointment ... it's the tiny victories keep me optimistic among the discomfort of carrying twins.  I had to wait a while in the room before the doctor came in, so I was reading through one of the parenting magazines.  I got to a page that talked...