We're still doing well and the boys seem to be continuing to grow nice and healthy. It's hard to believe we've been here five whole days now and I've been off the magnesium for almost 72 hours. I'm so happy we've made it this far and am hopeful we'll make it even further.
I'm currently allowed to get up for bathroom breaks, to shower once a day, and to go for a 60 minute wheelchair ride per day. We're hoping to go on a nicu tour tonight or tomorrow and we're starting to get more visitors. I'm a little self conscious of my appearance but I think I'm finally coming to the conclusion that no one cares. I'm on hospital bed rest for goodness sakes! My parents are both coming by at least once per day and it's a fight to get Andy to leave my side. I know he's worried but I don't want him to get burned out since we'll hopefully be here for awhile. We have had several people from church stop by and lots of friends wanting to know when a good time is.
We're so blessed and thankful at the massive amount of thoughts and offers for assistance we have received! Thank you everyone!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Day 4 of Bedrest
We're still touch and go but much less so than before. I've been off mag for 21 hours with no major contractions just some "irritability". My OB came to visit and is very very happy with everything. They've disconnected me from everything but the foot things that help my circulation. Even my IV is out! Current plan is to move me to an antepartum room and let me shower and rest without monitors. They'll check on the boys at least once a day and I'm to tell them if I start having contractions. I'll be there until 30w minimum, maybe more like 32 until we reevaluate to see if home bed rest is a possibility. I'm really happy staying here and being watched like a hawk As long as our boys are continuing to do well and grow then I am one happy momma!
I'm feeling well overall, just a little freaked out of course. My hips are hurting from lack of movement and I'm a little short of breath but those are all things to expect right now. Every second, every minute, every hour, every day, and every week is a huge blessing!
I'm feeling well overall, just a little freaked out of course. My hips are hurting from lack of movement and I'm a little short of breath but those are all things to expect right now. Every second, every minute, every hour, every day, and every week is a huge blessing!
Monday, March 26, 2012
A very real test run
Yesterday, Sunday, March 25th, Melissa began having contractions and went in to labor around 1 pm. We didn't think they were labor contractions because they were not painful, but they were becoming more frequent. We went to our hospital to hopefully receive a shot that would stop them, and we would be on our way within an hour or two. That was not the case.
We were informed Melissa was indeed in labor, and she was to be given very special attention in the next moments. Melissa was 3 cm dilated, and would need to be given a steroid shot to speed up development of the babies' lungs in case they were to be delivered early. Immediately, Melissa was hooked up to an IV and given Magnesium Sulfate(Mag). The mag serves as a muscle relaxer, and is used to slow down the contractions which would prevent her from dilating further. This was all done within a half hour of our arrival.
A few hours later, we were visited by a doctor from the NICU floor of the hospital where premature babies are given special treatment upon their arrival. She gave us a rundown of what would happen if our babies were born too soon. It was a tough conversation, but we listened intently. I was to be given a tour of the floor that night, but due to things getting "a little hairy" for other patients and our status improving, I have yet to receive the tour. We take this as a good sign for us.
Melissa's contractions have slowed to about 1-4 an hour. When we had first arrived they were coming as frequent as every three and a half minutes. They might not stop completely. We are currently awaiting the second and final steroid shot for the babies' lung development, and Melissa will stay on the mag for 24 hours afterwards.
It has been over 24 hours since our arrival, and I would say we are doing much better than when we got here. If things continue to improve, Melissa will stay in the hospital for another week, on bed-rest. For now, we are taking it hour by hour.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Growing boys!
These pictures are a week behind since we haven't taken my 28w photo yet.
Last weekend Andy and I enjoyed a date day on Saturday. What is better than Mexican food and painting with the one you love? Andy and I always try to follow one of Dr.Laura's main principles: Remain your husband/wife's girlfriend/boyfriend. This means make sure you continue to focus on each other and don't let the relationship ease into comfort. I'd like to think that I do a good job of this in general, but I know that this pregnancy has massively affected how well I do that. I'm just not able to go out and do much and when at home I just want to lay around and do nothing. See that belly up there? I love our boys but they sure are making moving around difficult!
I know Andy understands and our relationship isn't always about us giving and getting equally. Right now he's giving way more than he's getting but I hope in a few months I'll be able to reciprocate. I keep trying to remember that right now I'm doing the hard stuff. It might look like I'm just laying on the couch with my feet up, but my body is nourishing our boys and helping them to grow big. In just a few short months our roles will change and Andy will be taking care of them while I work. I know his job then will not be an easy one! But I also know that we each cherish our respective roles and are really excited.
After our date day Andy and I curled up on the couch to rewatch Captain America. We share a love of super hero movies and are both super excited to see the upcoming Avengers movie. I really hope we'll be able to see it in the theater! During the movie I started to have frequent braxton hicks contractions, about 6-8 minutes apart. BHs don't hurt but they're not comfortable. For me it's an intense tightening at the middle of my belly that lasts between 30 seconds and a minute. So I did the normal drill: Emptied my bladder, chugged some fluids, and laid down on my left side. They were still coming frequently so I took a Benadryl. It's something our MFM's nurse had recommended since it'll help relax the whole body (and my anxiety!). The Benadryl helped but they were still continuing, more than 4 an hour so I finally gave in and called the OB. A nurse called me back and said since I wasn't in pain and the Benadryl was helping to just continue what I was doing.
I was able to fall asleep but each time I got up in the middle of the night I noticed I would have another one. When I got up in the morning they were right back to where they were so I took another Benadryl and continued to take it easy. I ended up taking a two hour nap before I moved back to the couch. I again called the OB and this time talked to a different OB in the practice. She reconfirmed what the nurse had said the night before. Thankfully that night they stopped in intensity. I'm still getting them fairly frequently, usually at night after 8 hours of work, but nothing as frequent or as intense as last weekend. Just a friendly reminder from my body to take it easy, I guess.
After all the BHs I was nervous for our appointments on Tuesday. We were supposed to see our nurse, but she was out of the office so we only had a growth ultrasound. Righty is measuring approximately 2lbs9oz which is the 60th percentile for a singleton, Lefty is measuring approximately 2lbs13oz which is the 70th percentile for a singleton. Andy and I were both ecstatic when we heard how big they're growing! I guess my fight with protein is paying off. Since our nurse wasn't there the MFM measured my cervix by ultrasound. This measurement is much more accurate and I was very relieved to find out it's measuring 4.3cm and closed. That means that the BHs didn't cause any changes and we continue to be incredibly blessed with an "easy" twin pregnancy. I seriously live for these ultrasounds right now, I'm already looking forward to our next one!
It's hard to believe that within 10 weeks the boys will be here. I'm desperately hoping and praying to make it to at least 36w since the hospital won't automatically require any NICU time. So far there is no indication we won't make it! Coming up we have our friends and family shower this afternoon. I have my glucose tolerance test on 3/26 and will be getting the rhogram shot too. I'm not looking forward to either but I know they're necessary! On Tuesday Andy will be taking the car and carseats in to be checked by a professional. Can you believe by Tuesday we'll have carseats in our car? The following week we have a church shower on the 1st, then we'll be meeting the pediatrician we hope to use, and celebrating Andy's birthday. Busy busy busy!
Last weekend Andy and I enjoyed a date day on Saturday. What is better than Mexican food and painting with the one you love? Andy and I always try to follow one of Dr.Laura's main principles: Remain your husband/wife's girlfriend/boyfriend. This means make sure you continue to focus on each other and don't let the relationship ease into comfort. I'd like to think that I do a good job of this in general, but I know that this pregnancy has massively affected how well I do that. I'm just not able to go out and do much and when at home I just want to lay around and do nothing. See that belly up there? I love our boys but they sure are making moving around difficult!
I know Andy understands and our relationship isn't always about us giving and getting equally. Right now he's giving way more than he's getting but I hope in a few months I'll be able to reciprocate. I keep trying to remember that right now I'm doing the hard stuff. It might look like I'm just laying on the couch with my feet up, but my body is nourishing our boys and helping them to grow big. In just a few short months our roles will change and Andy will be taking care of them while I work. I know his job then will not be an easy one! But I also know that we each cherish our respective roles and are really excited.
After our date day Andy and I curled up on the couch to rewatch Captain America. We share a love of super hero movies and are both super excited to see the upcoming Avengers movie. I really hope we'll be able to see it in the theater! During the movie I started to have frequent braxton hicks contractions, about 6-8 minutes apart. BHs don't hurt but they're not comfortable. For me it's an intense tightening at the middle of my belly that lasts between 30 seconds and a minute. So I did the normal drill: Emptied my bladder, chugged some fluids, and laid down on my left side. They were still coming frequently so I took a Benadryl. It's something our MFM's nurse had recommended since it'll help relax the whole body (and my anxiety!). The Benadryl helped but they were still continuing, more than 4 an hour so I finally gave in and called the OB. A nurse called me back and said since I wasn't in pain and the Benadryl was helping to just continue what I was doing.
I was able to fall asleep but each time I got up in the middle of the night I noticed I would have another one. When I got up in the morning they were right back to where they were so I took another Benadryl and continued to take it easy. I ended up taking a two hour nap before I moved back to the couch. I again called the OB and this time talked to a different OB in the practice. She reconfirmed what the nurse had said the night before. Thankfully that night they stopped in intensity. I'm still getting them fairly frequently, usually at night after 8 hours of work, but nothing as frequent or as intense as last weekend. Just a friendly reminder from my body to take it easy, I guess.
After all the BHs I was nervous for our appointments on Tuesday. We were supposed to see our nurse, but she was out of the office so we only had a growth ultrasound. Righty is measuring approximately 2lbs9oz which is the 60th percentile for a singleton, Lefty is measuring approximately 2lbs13oz which is the 70th percentile for a singleton. Andy and I were both ecstatic when we heard how big they're growing! I guess my fight with protein is paying off. Since our nurse wasn't there the MFM measured my cervix by ultrasound. This measurement is much more accurate and I was very relieved to find out it's measuring 4.3cm and closed. That means that the BHs didn't cause any changes and we continue to be incredibly blessed with an "easy" twin pregnancy. I seriously live for these ultrasounds right now, I'm already looking forward to our next one!
It's hard to believe that within 10 weeks the boys will be here. I'm desperately hoping and praying to make it to at least 36w since the hospital won't automatically require any NICU time. So far there is no indication we won't make it! Coming up we have our friends and family shower this afternoon. I have my glucose tolerance test on 3/26 and will be getting the rhogram shot too. I'm not looking forward to either but I know they're necessary! On Tuesday Andy will be taking the car and carseats in to be checked by a professional. Can you believe by Tuesday we'll have carseats in our car? The following week we have a church shower on the 1st, then we'll be meeting the pediatrician we hope to use, and celebrating Andy's birthday. Busy busy busy!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
A clean house is a happy house
As a future stay-at-home dad, I take care of many of the duties around the house. It might seem strange, but I find cleaning to be very relaxing and therapeutic. Among the list of chores I perform on a regular basis are cleaning bathrooms, taking out the trash, washing dishes, and yard work. The list grows as I take up more responsibilities, meanwhile Melissa works hard 24/7 growing two strong and healthy boys inside her belly. Just last week I began doing the majority of the laundry, and I can't be more proud.
It might sound sappy, but I love having Melissa come home to a clean house where she can relax right when she enters the door. I like having a happy wife, sue me, but I think this is one of the many aspects of our relationship that will make it last. Tomorrow will be our four and a half year anniversary. I didn't just happen to remember, I know because she mentioned it the other day. Either way, it is another milestone we've made that many couples cannot claim.
I'm not writing this to say, "Look what we've done!" Not completely, anyway. I write posts like these in hopes that people can learn and take something positive from our experience. I believe Melissa would say the same about her writings.
A marriage is something you have to work on all the time. At important times like, I don't know, a pregnancy perhaps, you have to shift into a higher gear and make sacrifices for one another. Never take each other for granted. If there is one thing I want to be great at, it's being a husband and father.
It might sound sappy, but I love having Melissa come home to a clean house where she can relax right when she enters the door. I like having a happy wife, sue me, but I think this is one of the many aspects of our relationship that will make it last. Tomorrow will be our four and a half year anniversary. I didn't just happen to remember, I know because she mentioned it the other day. Either way, it is another milestone we've made that many couples cannot claim.
I'm not writing this to say, "Look what we've done!" Not completely, anyway. I write posts like these in hopes that people can learn and take something positive from our experience. I believe Melissa would say the same about her writings.
A marriage is something you have to work on all the time. At important times like, I don't know, a pregnancy perhaps, you have to shift into a higher gear and make sacrifices for one another. Never take each other for granted. If there is one thing I want to be great at, it's being a husband and father.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Busy busy busy!
Andy and I have sucked at updating our blog lately. The past week has been super busy so most nights by the time I get home I've been too tired to do much except press a button on the remote control and watch mindless television.
On the 1st Andy and I took a breastfeeding multiples class. I was nervous beforehand since I've heard from a lot of women that they left their classes overwhelmed and almost in tears. And here I am with the crazy idea that our twins can be exclusively fed breastmilk! But instead I really felt more in control and confident when I left the class. There were about five other couples having twins and one triplet couple. The lactation consultant was fantastic. She made me feel like I'm not crazy for strongly wanting to do this and gave us a lot of tools to help make it happen.
On Saturday we went to a friend's wedding. It was really pretty and a lot of fun! My stamina is definitely decreasing though. I've become a huge party pooper, but I guess that's to be expected when you're carrying around two growing boys.
This past Tuesday I had my work shower. I was so overwhelmed at how thoughtful and generous my coworkers were! It was fun for Andy to get to visit work and meet a lot of my coworker friends. The food, especially the cake, was delicious. It's obvious that my coworkers enjoy shopping for baby stuff since Jacen and Spencer were thoroughly spoiled!
Last night, after work, Andy and I made it down to his hometown (about 50 miles away) to have dinner with his dad, grandma, his dad's cousin and wife and her mom. It was very enjoyable and dinner was very yummy. Chicken friend chicken definitely helped me meet my protein quota for the day! Leftovers will help with my quota today too.
While it was fun I was exhausted by the time we got home. I think I'm nearing what mom's of multiples call "the first wall". I'm enjoying every minute of carrying these two miracles, but I can't say it's easy on my body. Managing protein and water intake, beginning to experience braxton hicks contractions and swelling, even just getting around in general is definitely getting more difficult by the day. I can understand why my MFM usually recommends slowing down to part time work at 28w, which is only two weeks away. Of course that's not going to happen for us unless it becomes medically necessary. So far this pregnancy is going perfectly and my MFM's nurse said I'm not in her "worry column" at all. I am so thankful for that! As I've said before, I will happily go through any amount of discomfort if it means our boys are growing strong and healthy! Judging from their kicks and punches they definitely are.
On the 1st Andy and I took a breastfeeding multiples class. I was nervous beforehand since I've heard from a lot of women that they left their classes overwhelmed and almost in tears. And here I am with the crazy idea that our twins can be exclusively fed breastmilk! But instead I really felt more in control and confident when I left the class. There were about five other couples having twins and one triplet couple. The lactation consultant was fantastic. She made me feel like I'm not crazy for strongly wanting to do this and gave us a lot of tools to help make it happen.
On Saturday we went to a friend's wedding. It was really pretty and a lot of fun! My stamina is definitely decreasing though. I've become a huge party pooper, but I guess that's to be expected when you're carrying around two growing boys.
This past Tuesday I had my work shower. I was so overwhelmed at how thoughtful and generous my coworkers were! It was fun for Andy to get to visit work and meet a lot of my coworker friends. The food, especially the cake, was delicious. It's obvious that my coworkers enjoy shopping for baby stuff since Jacen and Spencer were thoroughly spoiled!
Last night, after work, Andy and I made it down to his hometown (about 50 miles away) to have dinner with his dad, grandma, his dad's cousin and wife and her mom. It was very enjoyable and dinner was very yummy. Chicken friend chicken definitely helped me meet my protein quota for the day! Leftovers will help with my quota today too.
While it was fun I was exhausted by the time we got home. I think I'm nearing what mom's of multiples call "the first wall". I'm enjoying every minute of carrying these two miracles, but I can't say it's easy on my body. Managing protein and water intake, beginning to experience braxton hicks contractions and swelling, even just getting around in general is definitely getting more difficult by the day. I can understand why my MFM usually recommends slowing down to part time work at 28w, which is only two weeks away. Of course that's not going to happen for us unless it becomes medically necessary. So far this pregnancy is going perfectly and my MFM's nurse said I'm not in her "worry column" at all. I am so thankful for that! As I've said before, I will happily go through any amount of discomfort if it means our boys are growing strong and healthy! Judging from their kicks and punches they definitely are.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Protein is my archnemesis
Almost two weeks ago, at our second appointment with the MFM's nurse, I was told that two crucial items were significantly lacking in my diet: Calcium and protein. I knew that already so I was somewhat prepared. Thankfully the boys are growing great! On the 21st Righty clocked in at 1lb4oz and Lefty at 1lb7oz. For now they're smack dab in the middle of the growth curve for a singleton, which is excellent! Now I just have to keep them there. Protein is essential for that.
As a twin momma I need to get between 1500-1800mg of calcium and 100-120g of protein per day. So after our appointment I set out to monitor how much I intake with my normal diet. I was most definitely significantly lacking in both. Calcium is easy to supplement since you can take two Tums twice a day to get in 800mg. That on top of the 300mg my prenatal has, and my normal diet, was more than enough calcium.
Protein is definitely something I'm still struggling with every day, although I'm significantly better. I'm not a huge meat eater and I don't like milk by itself, two big sources of protein. Before working on it I was probably averaging 20-30g of protein on my best days. Yikes! Now I can manage to get in 21-25g at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then I snack on high protein items or make a smoothie with whey protein to help me get closer to my goal. I'm still falling short frequently but I consider it a huge success for now!
The problem with protein is that it takes a significant quantity of food to add up to a significant amount and it's very filling. It's difficult to eat if you're not hungry! Add in the fact that the boys are squishing my stomach so I can't eat as much in one sitting and my digestion is slower. I wish protein came in pill form! Maybe that's my way to make millions?
My go to high protein foods:
Carnation instant breakfast (chocolate) mixed with one cup of regular milk = 13g
One cup of chocolate milk = 8g
One string cheese stick = 8g
Smoothie (1cup of frozen fruit, 1/2cup of orange juice, 2tbsp whey protein powder) = 15g
3 scrambled eggs = 20g
Grilled cheese = 13g
Snickers = 4g
Chips and salsa (8 tortilla chips and however much salsa) = 8g
Andy and I went to the grocery store today and every time something looked good I would check the serving size and protein amount. Hmm, golden oreos sound good...But there is only 1g of protein for three cookies?! Forget that! I'm now essentially trying to make sure that every single thing I eat has protein in it and packs as much punch per serving size as possible. Eating has become a full time job! But I know it will all be worth it if it helps my boys pack on the pounds.
As a twin momma I need to get between 1500-1800mg of calcium and 100-120g of protein per day. So after our appointment I set out to monitor how much I intake with my normal diet. I was most definitely significantly lacking in both. Calcium is easy to supplement since you can take two Tums twice a day to get in 800mg. That on top of the 300mg my prenatal has, and my normal diet, was more than enough calcium.
Protein is definitely something I'm still struggling with every day, although I'm significantly better. I'm not a huge meat eater and I don't like milk by itself, two big sources of protein. Before working on it I was probably averaging 20-30g of protein on my best days. Yikes! Now I can manage to get in 21-25g at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then I snack on high protein items or make a smoothie with whey protein to help me get closer to my goal. I'm still falling short frequently but I consider it a huge success for now!
The problem with protein is that it takes a significant quantity of food to add up to a significant amount and it's very filling. It's difficult to eat if you're not hungry! Add in the fact that the boys are squishing my stomach so I can't eat as much in one sitting and my digestion is slower. I wish protein came in pill form! Maybe that's my way to make millions?
My go to high protein foods:
Carnation instant breakfast (chocolate) mixed with one cup of regular milk = 13g
One cup of chocolate milk = 8g
One string cheese stick = 8g
Smoothie (1cup of frozen fruit, 1/2cup of orange juice, 2tbsp whey protein powder) = 15g
3 scrambled eggs = 20g
Grilled cheese = 13g
Snickers = 4g
Chips and salsa (8 tortilla chips and however much salsa) = 8g
Andy and I went to the grocery store today and every time something looked good I would check the serving size and protein amount. Hmm, golden oreos sound good...But there is only 1g of protein for three cookies?! Forget that! I'm now essentially trying to make sure that every single thing I eat has protein in it and packs as much punch per serving size as possible. Eating has become a full time job! But I know it will all be worth it if it helps my boys pack on the pounds.
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