The hospital is my new home indefinitely

Well...I took another brief trip to triage on Monday for contractions that weren't bad, but were frequent enough for the doc to tell me to have my cervix checked. Luckily (according to the nurse), my cervix was still closed. In fact, she told me to talk to the doc about possibly having my bed rest order lifted. What??? Is that possible? Rod and I were optimistic, hoping I could possibly go back to work on desk duty at least part time to help out financially. I was told to follow up with the doc on Wed.

So on Wednesday I go in for my regularly scheduled follow up appointment. Things are going well. Only 1-2 contractions an hour this day, which is normal. The doc went ahead and checked my cervix since I had been at labor and delivery on Monday. Low and behold my cervix is 3 cm dilated and 100% effaced. AND, the doc felt something in my cervix. SO, I was rushed over to have an ultrasound where we found my membranes were "bulging." The doc sent me straight to the hospital to be admitted.

All of this happened on Rod's first full day of his new second job. Luckily I caught him on his lunch break, and he was waiting in my L&D room for me when I arrived.

The next 24 hours were MISERABLE as I was scared to death they were going to come way too early (and I'm still scared). I was 29w6d on Wed when I was admitted (am 30w1d today). They hooked me up to all kinds of machines and started a drip of medicine called magnesium sulfate which is AWFUL STUFF. I couldn't eat for 24 hours (ummm...do they know I'm pregnant)???? But, the nasty stuff was worth it because it stopped the contractions. They only checked my cervix one more time, and there was no change so I was able to come to the ante partum unit at the hospital with the other bed rest moms. Evidently there are several twin moms on bed rest here and a triplet mom too! I no longer have a catheter (sp?), so I can get up to go to the bathroom and I can even take a 5 minute shower all by myself. Woop Woop!

It sounds like I will be here until I deliver which could be in an hour, or could be in a couple of weeks. Obviously we're hoping they bake for another couple of weeks. It sounds like my next mini goal is to make it to 32 weeks. The docs said it's possible, it's now just a waiting game. Keep your fingers crossed that my uterus and the boys cooperate. I guess they must just be anxious to meet their mom and dad!!

P.S. The doc said she saw a bunch of hair on Madden on the ultrasound. They look so handsome already!!!

A few more baby shower pics

Cute new baby stuff

We got one of our car seats the other day. I'm so excited! It's adorable and I can't wait to get the other one. I also included a picture of the gorgeous little blankey's that "aunt Salem" got the boys.

Hooray!

I just got word that I passed my 3 hour fasting glucose test, which means NO GESTATIONAL DIABETES! WOOHOO! I don't have to completely give up chocolate. THANK GAWD! Oh, and I didn't gain any weight at my last appointment. High five for me! Next appointment is next Wednesday for a growth scan and check up. I can't wait to see the boys again!

Doctor appointment today

It went okay, but unfortunately I'm on bed rest indefinitely. I don't think there were any real changes to my cervix or anything, but she said to be prepared to be on bed rest until they are born. She also warned that it would not be unusual for me to take another trip (or several) to labor and delivery before they are born. She even told me to be prepared for the possibility of hospital bed rest. All of which she said is "typical" for twin moms. We are prepared to do whatever it is we need to do to keep the twins safe and sound in there as long as possible. I'm not sure how we're going to survive this (both mentally and financially), but things always seem to have a way of working themselves out. They started me on a steroid shot today with a follow up shot tomorrow to help the babies lungs in case they decide to come too early.

At least I'll get out of the house again tomorrow for my follow up steroid and progesterone shots, but I also have to endure the famously awful 3 hour fasting glucose test. UGH.

Baby shower pics!

Beth and Salem really out did themselves with the baby shower. It was so much fun, and we got some wonderful things for the boys. The cake was adorable and SO good, and the food was so yummy that there were hardly any leftovers. Good food and great company, what more can you ask for? And while we were posing for this picture to the right, Beth felt one of the boys kick her hand. I guess they didn't want people touching them anymore. Hee hee. Unfortunately the batteries in my camera ran out, so I'm waiting on the pics that my BFF's took. Here are a few in the meantime...

The dreaded bed rest

Today while at work, I started to feel what I thought might be contractions. Not painful, just a lot of tightening in my belly. I was hesitant to call the doctor, because I thought it could just be Braxton Hicks or maybe the babies moving around a lot. Luckily, I went with my instincts, and called the doc. They had me go to labor and delivery to be monitored for contractions. Turns out, they were contractions and they started to get a little worse as I was at the hospital. They gave me some IV fluids and a shot of terbutaline (sp?), and it seemed to do the trick. My cervix was closed, but is starting to soften. Unfortunately, I was put on bed rest until they can re-check me on Monday. I'll do WHATEVER it takes to keep these boys cooking as long as possible. Please keep your fingers crossed that they don't try to make an appearance too early. Looks like the baby shower may be moved to our house this weekend so I can participate via my couch.