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

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Sat, Aug 28, 2004 5:29 PM
Slawek and I attended a new-parent's brunch/class at Baby Depot today from 10 am - 1 pm. Thanks for my Mom for registering us. It was very interesting! We had sessions with a baby physical therapist (showing us good play patterns to develop head, neck, and body movement), as well as newborn massage therapy. After that, a Fireman instructed us on proper car-seat installation. We also met with a Lactation Consultant from Good Sam Hospital, and a Medela Breast Pump Representative. It was a long day, but well worth it. We learned a lot of invaluable information, plus we received a free diaper bag and won some gift certificates to Showcase Cinemas in a raffle drawing.

I ordered "What to Expect with Twins, Triplets, and Quads" and it finally arrived this weekend. After reading Chapters 1-4, I realized I am not eating sufficient calories. For twins, I am supposed to be consuming 3500 calories per day (including 175 grams of protein). I am supposed to have 7 fruit servings (7 pieces of fresh fruit) per day. There's no WAY! I know I am not consuming that much - but somehow the weight is piling on. By 20 weeks, I should have gained between 25 lbs. I have gained 21 lbs. Dr. Brady said I am right on track (at my last appt) and both twins are measuring way ahead of schedule (2 oz. ahead in weight and 1.5 - 2 weeks ahead in measurement size). It is important for me to gain weight early on due to the increased risk or preterm delivery. On average (I read), twins develop at a much quicker pace prior to week 24 compared to a singleton (maybe those little ones know more than we realize).

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Wed, Aug 25, 2004 1:57 PM
Today was my weekly cervical measurement. I am 17 1/2 weeks. My cervix has shortened from 5 cm. to 4 cm. I told her I have been having Braxton Hicks contractions (some of them STRONG) since the weekend. Good news that my cervix is still in good shape, though. The nurse told me I am a "Baby Factory" with that 5 cm. cervix from last week! She said most people start out between 3-4 cm maximum! Both babies look great! They are swimming all around, scratching their heads. I was laughing at them. We got a good look at both of them today, and I have new photos, too! My placenta previa has moved 1/2 way off my cervix now, which is good news (in just 1 week!) I still have many cysts on my right ovary, but the pool of fluid under my uterus has completely been absorbed now. Dr. Brady is still working on my STD paperwork and I will see him again next week on 9/1!

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Tue, Aug 24, 2004 10:39 AM
Both Twins are knocking! I can feel them both. Yesterday I felt Twin A knocking about 5 times. It felt like he was throwing a grape against my insides. This morning I feel Twin A frequently and now that I am wearing tighter pants around my middle (belly button), I can also feel Twin B (higher baby, to the right of my belly button). They are both knocking up a storm. How exciting!

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Wed, Aug 18, 2004 10:45 AM
I've been put on BEDREST as of September 13, 2004! My last day of work will be September 10, 2004.

I have Placenta Previa ~ Twin A's placenta is, unfortunately, right over my cervix. Dr. Brady said more than likely it will clear up on it's own (the placenta will shift upward as the uterus grows up). However, there is still a risk or bleeding, pre-term labor, hemmoraging, cesarean section, and hysterectomy (if severe hemmoraging occurs). He warned me about all the worst-case scenarios.

Starting 9/13, I am to take it easy and stay at home. So that means I only have 3 more weeks left of work!!!!!!!!!! Sounds exciting now, but I realize that I will be bored out of my mind. I guess I should go stock up on books and cross-stitch supplies.

From now on, I will see Dr. Brady EVERY WEEK.

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Wed, Aug 18, 2004 9:40 AM
Today I begin weekly Dr. visits! And today was our 16 week Ultrasound and Perinatology appt. Both twins look beautiful and strong. They are kicking and waving wildly now. All of my Ultrasounds are Level II Ultrasounds, which means that they take longer because important measurements are taken. Both babies measure over 1 week ahead, between 17 weeks and 18 weeks in size. Both babies have 4 pumping heart chambers, both babies have all 4 limbs - fingers and toes (and no club feet for either baby). Both babies have all their intestines in their abdomen (sometimes they are still in their umbilical cord). Both babies do not show any indication for Downs Syndrome (we had the Nuchal Fold screening and it measures perfect!). The arteries and blood flow into the heart look perfect. Both brains and brain stems measure perfect, too! And both babies have working stomachs and kidneys now. To sum it all up - THE TWINS ARE PERFECT!

Twin A is 'presenting' - meaning, he/she would be born first. He/she is sitting very low in my abdomen.

Twin B is right underneath my belly button - very high.

Both heartbeats are 154 BPM ~ identical! Twin A weighs 7 ounces; Twin B weighs 6 ounces.

My cervix was also measured ~ it measures a 5. If it gets down to a 1, I will be admitted to the hospital, so all is well!!!

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Mon, Aug 16, 2004 10:53 AM
16 Weeks Pregnant Today! And yesterday, I officially felt the Twins move!! Slawek and I were in McDonalds in Pennsylvania, and it felt like a 1/2 filled water balloon inside my abdomen, bumping lightly up against my insides. No fluttering or anything, just bumping.

I didn't want to leave McDonalds. Slawek said, "time to go..." but I just sat there, mezmerized....

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Sun, Aug 15, 2004 10:46 AM
We are back from vacation! We spent last week in NY City visiting Sue D., a good friend of mine, and then we drove to Rhode Island to attend one of my good friend (Sue S.)'s surprise birthday party. It was wonderful to see new and old friends. Slawek and I drove 2300 miles total, and we are exhausted, but glad we made this final trip before the Twins arrive. (We drove because my Perinatologist doesn't want me flying anywhere now).

My ankles are swollen very bad. We did a lot of walking in NY City and in Martha's Vineyard, Newport, Providence, RI, and Cape Cod, MA. I had no idea my ankles would swell like this so soon.

We are very glad to be back home, and now I am counting down the days until my January 3, 2004 goal delivery date (36 weeks).

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Wed, Aug 4, 2004 9:42 AM
The Nursery is totally finished! The walls have been painted, the border has been put up. It looks totally adorable. Now all we need is some furniture. We will be ordering the furniture sometime in September.

For some reason, my left ankle is really swollen. My right one is not. I didn't expect to start retaining fluids like this so early in the pregnancy (typically with a singletone pregnancy, this starts much later) but I suppose it's because of the twins. The Perinatologist did tell me, "You can't go by this or that because you are having twins, not a singleton. Multiples are a totally different ball-game." Oh well, I guess he's right!

We are getting ready for vacation. We can't wait!

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Sun, Aug 1, 2004 4:45 PM
17 days until our next Ultrasound! We cannot wait to see you again!! I have been listening to your little heartbeats every other evening, and both are strong and loud now.

The nursery is completely painted now, thanks to Slawek. He painted the bottom 1/2 lime green and I sponge-painted clouds on the top blue 1/2. In 48 hours (after the paint dries) we will be putting the Snuggle Bugs wallpaper border around the middle of the wall (where green/blue meet). It looks so cute now.

Just 6 days until vacation, too. I am so excited. This will be our last trip until the babies arrive, so we hope to enjoy ourselves!

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