Visit to High Risk Specialist (26 wks)

Thursday's visit to my high risk specialist didn't exactly bring the kind of news I was expecting, or even hoping for. Until now, my cervix was shortening by 0.4 cm at each visit. This time it went down all the way from 2.0 cm to 0.7 cm! I have barely any cervix left at all now. What’s interesting is the foreshadowing that led to this. Since Sunday I’ve been feeling as though one or both babies have been trying to kick their way out, and sure enough, the monitor showed the boy’s foot right in the funnel of my opening cervix. These kicks are shocking and usually painful. Yet another issue I have absolutely no control over.

Thankfully, not all the news was bad. The doctor performed another FFN test to check my risk of preterm labor and my results this morning came back negative. Had they come back positive, he would have admitted me to the hospital today, and administered steroids to expedite development of the babies’ lungs in anticipation that I would soon go into labor. Given that my results were negative, and that I still have at least some cervix left, this just meant continuation of very strict bed rest at home. The doctor said it is likely that my cervix will have opened completely by my next appointment (Aug 4) and they will likely hospitalize me for the remainder of my pregnancy for observation. Once the cervix has opened, the babies and the uterus are no longer sealed in a sterile environment, so there is an increased risk of infection which they have to constantly monitor me for. I’m trying to relish every minute of bed rest in my own home for now!

The doctor attempted to look on the bright side by telling me about another patient of his whom, at 24 weeks, her cervix was 0.5 cm and FFN results came back positive. He hospitalized her and she made it to 32 weeks. I’m at 26 weeks and have slightly more cervix than her and negative FFN results. In six more weeks I’ll be at 32 weeks. Right now our major milestone to reach is 28 weeks, at which time the babies will have a 90% chance survival rate outside the womb.

The severe shortening and continued restrictions are taking a toll on me emotionally (as I’m sure they are John as well). Wanting some control over my situation, I wish there was something I could do to stop the shortening, to help out around the house, and to make myself just feel healthier, happier and more energized. I know in my heart that God has plans for me, for John, and for these two little ones, but I start the “what if” cycle after each round of bad news and I’m struggling to just put it and leave it in His hands.

Even with all these issues, the babies are still alive and baking, and that’s the most important thing right now. Thank you again for your continued thoughts and prayers. And many thanks to those of you who visited this week (Tricia, Terri, Candy, Betty Ann, Ken and Regina (who's also preggers))… Your company was the highlight of my days/week!

Betty Ann, Candy & Me

Regina & Ken

25 Weeks

I went to my regular ObG yesterday but they didn’t take any measurements, so nothing too new. They just weighed me (I’ve gained 23 lb) and tested my urine for proteins/sugars (negative). My next visit with the ObG should be slightly more eventful because they’ll test me for gestational diabetes (which I feel confident will be negative) and talk to me in detail about things like cord blood registry, delivery options, and classes that might come to my home. So those are all good signs I’m getting close to being able to deliver healthy babies which makes me very happy! Both my ObG and high risk specialist are confident I’ll make it to 28 weeks, which is the most critical time right now since each week from week 24 to week 28 increases the babies’ chances of survival by 10%. Since by 28 weeks their chance of survival is so high, the incremental chances of survival continue to rise but at a much slower rate (like 2-3% a week), I have another appointment with my specialist next week, at which time they’ll take another measurement of my cervix.

Also, thank you to all those who have emailed and come to visit me over the past week. I was having a tough time but you helped keep me sane and showed the love! John appreciates it too since he gets time off from catering to me. And speaking of John, he has taken on so much since I went on bed rest and is handling it so well. He caters to my every need without complaining and his strictness with me is only because he loves me and is married to a stubborn woman. I'm extremely blessed to have him for my husband. Please pray that he stays sane throughout all of this as well.

Aunt Paula, Jennifer & Colton

Lisa & Christine

Jessica (Gig 'em)

Visit to High Risk Specialist (24 Weeks)

Wednesday's appointment with the high risk specialist was a milestone event for a couple of reasons. First, at 24 weeks, our babies now have a 50% chance survival rate outside the womb (not high, but better than five weeks ago). Second, at our last visit, the doctor said that if my cervix hadn't shortened more and my fetal fibronectin (FFN) test (indicator of risk for preterm labor in next 1-2 wks) was negative, that he would consider lifting some of my restrictions (i.e., let me sit up). At our visit today, I had my cervix measured, another FFN test performed, and the babies were measured for the first time since the first trimester.

Unfortunately, my cervix shortened more than the doctor would have liked -- it is now down to 2.0 cm. The FFN test came back negative, which means I only have a 10-15% chance of preterm labor within the next several weeks. If it had come back positive, my chance of preterm labor would have been 60%. On the babies' measurements, Baby A (boy) is about 1 lb 11 oz and Baby B (girl) is about 1 lb 8 oz. This puts Baby B in the 50th percentile (average) and Baby A in the 65th percentile (above avg) for this stage of gestation. Personally, I've gained 20 lb. I also learned that the boy is on the left side of my abdomen and the girl is on the right, so now I know who I'm rubbing and talking to.

So even though I didn't get any restrictions lifted, John and I were relieved to know that the babies are doing well and I at least have a slight amount of cervix left. I have another appointment with the specialist in a couple of weeks.

Going Nuts

On bed rest, I have on days and off days. Today is a bit of an off day. I don't know if it's just my raging hormones but I'm feeling extra agitated (good thing for John he "gets" to work today). I'm crawling out of my acne infested skin! My back hurts, my side hurts, my neck hurts, and the babies are right under my ribs. I've been trying to take my mind off these woes by listening to music and making (pitiful) attempts to sing. I think the twins really like the music / my singing because it created quite a stir inside. I mean, what baby doesn't like Papa Roach, Seether or 3 Days Grace? No baby of mine!

4th of July Weekend (24 Weeks)

Dad, Mom, Me & John

My parents came to visit this weekend. My Aunt Paula came over on Friday and we grilled out steaks and chicken. Though I couldn't always be where the action was due to my couch/bed rest, John set me up outside that evening in a lounge chair so I could enjoy the outdoors and company. It was energizing to have a house full of people laughing and chatting around me! The only way it would have been better was if I had had a frozen margarita!

Aunt Paula & Mom Cooking it Up

Dad & Me

Dad & Me Hanging Out

2nd Trimester

As I moved into my second trimester, I was feeling immensely better, just as the books said I would. This marked the end of my morning sickness and the comeback of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Of course, I still love mac & cheese, and pizza, etc., but who doesn't?!?!

I was even feeling well enough to exercise again. Although I wasn't lifting weights anymore, I was at least walking and had even started practicing prenatal Pilates, which made me feel refreshed, revived and strong.

I thought I could do it all - at work and at home. I was going to be that annoyingly perfect pregnant person who manages their same workload or more, continues exercising and doing household chores, eats well, and still has a social life, all while carrying two babies. I was completely drained but I kept seeing a light at the end of the tunnel so I kept pushing myself to just make it there. In hindsight, I was probably taking on a little too much because next came the bed rest (see "On Bed Rest at 19 Weeks").

1st Trimester

When I first found out I was pregnant, I had actually visited the doctor about my abdomen swelling up unusually large. I had looked as though I'd gone from 0 months to 5 months pregnant overnight. It turned out that I had a swollen ovary. Blood tests confirmed I was pregnant. When the doctor did our first ultrasound (at 7 weeks?) we were shocked to learn we were expecting triplets! I just started laughing hysterically and then started crying. The doctor had to give me and John a few minutes to regroup. We finally settled in with the idea of having three babies and were getting real excited.

During my first trimester I was able to check off nearly every single negative pregnancy symptom, the worst being "morning" sickness. Or shall I say, all day and night sickness. I felt as though I had food poisoning 24/7. I didn't always throw up but I always felt like it. Although I was a former health nut in my pre-pregnancy life, I was suddenly turned off by all healthy foods. All I could stomach was bread and cheese. NO vegetables and NO fiber.

Something else I experienced that wasn't exactly a pregnancy symptom was severe cramping on my lower left side that shot down my leg and wrapped around my back. It was debilitating. The pain was sharp and stabbing and came in waves. One day around 3 or 4 a.m., I was just lying on the floor crying, not even wanting to be taken to the emergency room because that involved getting up off the floor. I eventually went in later that day for tests which all came back inconclusive. Doctors assumed it was either a twisted ovary or a kidney stone. After a week, the pain subsided and eventually disappeared.

At 11 1/2 weeks, we had our first visit with the high risk specialist which left us with mixed emotions. Unfortunately, one of our three babies had stopped growing, leaving us with twins. The good news was the remaining two were doing great. They were a healthy 5 cm (2 inches) and growing fast. Two weeks prior they were the size and shape of gummy bears (3/4" with nubs for arms & legs), but at this visit they looked like little babies! We could clearly see their facial profiles, arms, legs, and even little fingers. They were very squirmy, so much in fact that the doc was getting annoyed as he was trying to take photos and measurements. They almost looked like they were swimming at times. So, while we were initially saddened by the loss of one of the babies, we were also overwhelmed with excitement after watching the other two squirm around for about ten minutes.

On Bed Rest at 19 Weeks

On June 5, at 19 weeks, John and I had our bi-weekly appointment to monitor my pregnancy and we discovered some startling news. The length of my cervix, holding the babies in my uterus, had started to shorten at a significant pace. My measurement two weeks prior was ~8 cm = exactly average. My measurement this day was 2.8 cm (which is average at ~30 weeks), while the doctor was expecting at least 6 cm. Once the cervix "shortens" all the way, it is open and begins to dilate (open wider) in preparation for birth.

To avoid going into preterm labor, the doctor put me on strict home bed rest. I have to lie nearly flat on my back or side the entire day (can’t sit up more than 45 degrees) and am limited to no more than 15-20 minutes of getting up a day (only to use the restroom and shower). At my June 26 visit, my cervix had shortened to 2.4 but I was told that wasn't enough to warrant hospitalized bed rest (thank God). I've been on bed rest now for over three weeks and am "stabilized."

I'm not bored in the least. I stay busy by catching/keeping up with friends and family members (I used to be too much of a workaholic to make time); organizing addresses/emails/phone numbers/birthdays in Excel; creating a pregnancy calendar with doctor appointments, pregnancy milestones, and family/friend visits; registering for baby stuff; reading the Bible and other books; listening to online sermons; watching labor & delivery shows on Discovery Health (scary but in a way relieving to know you’re not the only one with a difficult pregnancy); and crossword puzzles. Our parents come up every other weekend to help clean, grocery shop and cook. They cook enough food to get us by until the next one visits. Friends also visit at lunch or in the evenings. The worst part for me is not being able to exercise, or even just walk around.