Evan, Aidan, Bella & Sophia » October 2004 Journal Entries » AboutMyBaby - online baby scrapbooks, photo albums, videos, birth and pregnancy announcements

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Sun, Oct 31, 2004 7:24 AM
Happy Halloween!!!
Christine entered the third trimester (27th week). She is doing fine, as are the babies. All three are holding steady in the hospital. Dr. Polzin is going to keep Christine on the magnesium sulfate drip untill she is 28 weeks pregnant. The doctor will re-evaluate then whether she gets to go home or has to stay. She had ultrasound done and the test showed the babies are perfect. Thanks to all of our family and friends for their prayers and support.
When she was admitted to the hospital, Christine's first question was: "How do I get to vote???" After considerable help from the Board of Elections, she was able to vote using her absentee ballot on Saturday morning.

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Wed, Oct 27, 2004 10:00 AM
Christine has been admitted to the Labor and Delivery Unit, Dr. Polzin examined her today and noticed the cervix was 1-2cm dilated. After being admitted, she was examined again by a resident doctor. Her mucus plug was gone and she was dilated 3cm. Christine is on magnesium sulfate and brethine injections and endocin pills to keep the contractions away. Christine was also given a steroid shot tonight to quickly prepare the twins' lungs for delivery if necessary.
Keep the Twins and Christine in your prayers.

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Fri, Oct 22, 2004 9:37 PM
Eeeeeeeeek! My waist meassures 47"!!!!!! (119 cm)

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Wed, Oct 20, 2004 12:21 PM
I just returned from my 25 1/2 week cervical measurement ultrasound. The Twins look great! (see Ultrasound Photo Album for pics). If you notice in one of the Twin A photos, you will see a little fist/hand right above Twin A's nose. That fist is actually Twin B's fist. Twin B is already punching Twin A in the face. Just kidding!!!

The Twins still have room to turn around. Initially when we did the ultrasound, Twin A (presenting Twin) was breech and Twin B (2nd in line for birth) was head-down. But, by the time we finished the ultrasound, Twin B had totally flipped back around and was breech just like Twin A. I am hoping this is a good sign - they both still have room to turn into "head-down" positions!!!

My cervix last week measured 2.5 cm. (not so good). This week my cervix measures 2.6 cm - 2.8 cm. Dr. Brady had written on my chart that if my cervix was <2.5 cm. this week, I would have to have the cervical cerclage (stitching up). Thank God my cervix is still holding strong!!! No cerclage for me... yet.

Next week is my very last cervical measurement ultrasound. After that, I will go for twice-weekly Non-Stress Tests and every-other-week Level 2 (detailed) Ultrasounds. I already have more than 40 ultrasound photos - but I am looking forward to adding more to my collection. I am going to see if I can schedule my Mom into going to a Level 2 Ultrasound with me before the Twins are born. It is so interesting to see an Ultrasound of them that lasts over an hour!!

That's all for now. I was told to "keep doing whatever I did this past week." So -- I am!

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Tue, Oct 19, 2004 7:17 PM
A special thanks goes out to my family! I am so lucky to have so many wonderful people taking care of me during my bedrest. My Grandma made us the best pot-roast dinner, my mom comes over every Tuesday and Friday and cleans my house, and Slawek helps out in more ways than I ever imagined a man would help. Thanks everyone! I love you!!

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Wed, Oct 13, 2004 4:00 PM
Today was our 24 week Level 2 Ultrasound, Dr's appt., and NICU tour.

Twin A weighs 1 lb. 9 oz.
Twin B weighs 1 lb. 11 oz.

I have only gained 3 lbs. in 4 weeks. Dr. Brady wasn't too happy about that, but mentioned it is very common for pregnant women on bedrest to gain very little weight. I have gained a total of 34 lbs. now, which is very good for Twins. Dr. Brady also mentioned that the weight gain prior to 24 weeks (now) is what was most important for the Twins' growth.

I am measuring 32 weeks pregnant, even though I am only 24 weeks pregnant (due to the Twins). No biggie, I said goodbye to my waistline long ago.

My cervix has shortened from 4 cm. to 2.5 cm., due to the pre-term labor contractions I have been having. As a matter of fact, I was having a contraction during the ultrasound itself. Brethine (5 mg) every 4 hours and bedrest are my treatment regime.

Both Twins are now in breech position, unfortunately. We are hoping they turn in the next month of so.

We are now passed the official "week of viability," and Dr. Brady informed us that our babies now have some lung functioning. Our goal is to take 3 weeks at a time from here on. I see Dr. Brady every 3 weeks now.

Slawek and I got to tour the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). We were able to see babies that weigh the same as our babies currently weigh (around 1 lb. 11 oz.) I still can't believe how small those babies are.... and they are doing remarkably well. I had a little talk with our Twins and told them they have to STAY INSIDE for a long while!! But, I am relieved that if the pre-term labor goes beyond being able to control, our Twins actually have a chance.

150 Multiple Births have occurred at Good Samaritan Hospital this year so far; and 4500+ total births have been recorded this year, as well.

I am scheduled for my Gestational Diabetes screening on 11/08/04.

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Mon, Oct 11, 2004 3:42 PM
I just returned from my very long meeting with the Hospital Care Coordinator. I signed every single consent form imagineable - including the Twins' birth certificate applications. Slawek and I will tour the NICU on Wednesday right after our Level 2 Ultrasound.

A few things I learned today:

1. I will NOT be able to Deliver in the Labor & Delivery *Suite* that most moms get to deliver in. Since I am pregnant with Twins, I will have to deliver (even if vaginally) in the Operating Room. This is just in case a c-section is necessary at the last minute.

2. I do not have the option of a *natural childbirth*. I am forced to have the epidural. I am okay with this.

3. Slawek is the ONLY person allowed in the room with me during delivery. The Care Coordinator informed me that I will have a FULL HOUSE with 2 Neonatologists, 2 NICU nurses, my Perinatologist, and several other RNs - so no one else (besides me and Slawek) can be present during their birth.

I think that's about it! She sent me home with a huge Maternal Resource Guidebook, and several other pamphlets and info. to read up on. Most important - gotta choose a Pediatrician sometime in the next few weeks!

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Sat, Oct 9, 2004 7:11 PM
Thanks to everyone who came to our Baby Shower today! Your thoughtfulness and generosity are much appreciated. Thanks to my Mom, Dad, and Melissa for arranging such a wonderful afternoon!

I am very happy that those who hadn't gotten to know Slawek yet actually got a chance to meet him. He will be an AWESOME father!!!!

Photos are posted in the 10/09/04 Baby Shower Photo Album.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!

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Wed, Oct 6, 2004 11:54 AM
I just returned from my weekly ultrasound & cervical measurement. My cervix has shortened 8 mm from 3.8 to 3.0 cm. following the hospitalization for Pre-Term Labor this past weekend. The Dr. actually came in to see me, as he wanted to see how my cervix was doing since the hospitalization over the weekend. He was very glad to see it was still 3.0 cm. (3.8 is considered EXCELLENT -- 3.0 is still considered GOOD). He said I am very lucky that my cervix was longer that the average pregnant female's cervix to begin with. I asked him my restrictions, etc. again - since he saw my cervix was still GOOD. He instructed me to continue on Brethine throughout the pregnancy. He also said that I can fix my meals and walk around a little - nothing too much.... but for me not to be as stressed as I was with every little pain.

The babies are in birthing position (vertex position) - both head down. They basically look like 2 candle-sticks stacked on top of each other. Twin B's little head is directly resting on Twin A's little feet. And both babies are facing my spine. Both heartbeats are strong and they look great.

I am excited for this weekend, when I will be 24 weeks pregnant! 24 weeks is considered "the week of viability" ~ the first week a baby could possibly survive outside the womb. From here, My goal is to make it until 28 weeks pregnant. It's these little milestones that are important to achieve!!

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Sun, Oct 3, 2004 4:17 PM
Today I was released from Good Sam Hospital's Labor & Delivery Special Care Unit. Unfortunately, I was admitted to the hospital Friday evening 10/1/04 for pre-term labor.

Friday, Slawek and I were enjoying his last vacation day home. We stopped at Dillards, Target, Sears to run a few errands during the day. Friday evening we went to the Twins Club Pre-Sale (for members). While I was standing there talking to a few moms of twins, I felt a *gush* of fluid. I didn't think I pee'd my pants, but thought we needed to go home immediately. When I checked, I realized I did not pee my pants, it was something else. Amniotic Fluid? I quickly called my Perinatologist, Dr. Brady, who ordered me to drive directly to Good Samaritan Hospital and go straight to Labor & Delivery.

A contraction monitor was immediately hooked up to my belly. To my surprise, I was in pre-term labor and having frequent contractions. I had no clue. The contractions were between 4-5 minutes apart to start with, and eventually got down to 1-2 minutes apart. They were very strong (getting stronger), and Slawek had to help me breathe through them. Meanwhile, the fluid I leaked was being checked and I was given some medicine to stop the contractions. They ceased at 2 am on Saturday morning 10/2/04.

At 6 am on Saturday morning, the contractions started all over again. I was given a Brethine injection, which seemed to stop them after about 30 minutes.

Now, I am on 5 mg. of Brethine (by mouth) every 4 hours around the clock throughout the rest of the pregnancy. Dr. Brady confirmed that the fluid I leaked was not amniotic fluid (Thank God!) He mentioned it was other *female* fluids that gushed as a result of the contractions I was having, but wasn't aware of.

This experience really opened my eyes... it was as if the world stood still. How did I not know before we arrived at the Hospital that I was having contractions? Because I was doing too much. Too too much.

Dr. Brady said my goal is to hit 24 weeks. After that, my goal is 28 weeks - then 32 weeks.... and so on and so forth.

So, that's my story --I am home now, and need to take it easy. In addition to taking the Brethine every 4 hours day and night, I also have to stay off my feet 75% of my day. It's funny, I was resting in a hospital bed all weekend, bored to tears. Why do I feel so tired?

Weird story - while I was in the hospital, a girl who is 25 weeks pregnant with Twin Boys (just 2 weeks ahead of me) thought she had some hemmorhoid problems. She has been in the hospital for 3 weeks now due to pre-term labor contractions and some leaking amniotic fluid. Anyway, she asked the nurse to look *down there* because she felt what she thought were hemmorhoid flare-ups. Suddenly we hear a Perinatologist and Neonatologist being paged, and all kinds of staff running in the halls. IT WAS ONE OF THE TWINS' FEET .... not hemmorhoids. OMG! So, she delivered one of the Twin boys at 25 weeks. He is in the NICU and will be for a while. But, surprisingly, he survived and is doing better than expected. The other Twin is still inside the uterus and the mom was quickly sewn up (cervix cerclage) and they want her to stay pregnant with him longer. So these 2 Twins will have different birthdays. Weird. Scary. It really scared me seeing that. Especially considering the circumstances I was in.

PS. I HATE taking Brethine

I hate, hate, hate, hate taking it. HATE IT. I feel like my blood pressure has gone through the roof. I was almost hysterical Saturday evening around 9 pm or so, freaking out. I honestly felt like I was going to have cardiac arrest, a stroke, or my eyes were going to pop out. A side affect of Brethine is the shakes, blood pressure increase, heart rate increase, and just general feeling like CRAP. I was so upset thinking I have to take this every 4 hours for the remainder of the pregnancy. But what could I do? The Dr. was paged last night and counseled me. I was told it will get dramatically better (my body will adjust to it) within 24 hours. And after 3 days, I should feel even better. I promised to try it the rest of the evening. I took a pill at 9 pm, 1 am, 5 am. So far, I am dealing with it. I still have the major jitters, but at least I don't feel like I am dying. I hope he is right - I am looking forward to having 3 days under my belt and feeling better.

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