Almost 38 Week Update

Well, I'm 37 weeks, 5 days, and still pregnant! We're getting REALLY close!!

Today was the day I originally chose to have my babies (as if I have any control over it... hahaha). Since it's now 10pm and I haven't had any contractions today, it's safe to say July 27th will not be my twins' birthday. In fact, I'm starting to doubt that it will happen in July. 

I had an appointment this morning, and this was an exciting one. I was supposed to have an ultrasound and then a cervix check, and I'd leave knowing the how's and when's of labor. The ultrasound was first, and that went wonderfully. The babies are healthy as can be! Growing well, good fluid, good blood and oxygen getting to them. They measured 6 lbs, 4 oz (Baby A) and 6lbs, 10 oz (Baby B). Yes, that's approximately 13 pounds of baby in my belly right now. Yowza. We also confirmed that Baby A's head is down and in position for birth... what a wonderful thing to hear!! I will be able to try laboring with these babies and hopefully get my VBAC! Baby B is still breech, but he wouldn't be our kid if he wasn't stubborn. Besides, we have a plan in place with the doc for that birth anyway. 

So after the ultrasound, I got ready to see the doctor. I had my first ever cervical check... how exciting! Haha. My husband was like "They are going to do what? Wait, the guy doctor? While I'm in the room? How far does he...?" You get the idea. It actually helped me relax by watching and laughing at him squirm. I'm not sure what this guy thinks labor is going to be like but I'm pretty sure he will be uncomfortable for most of it. Anyway... the doc says I'm about 50% effaced but no dilation. Bummer. I was a little disappointed. I know, it can happen quickly and I could go from 0-10cm in a matter of hours. I was just hoping I could have some sort of proof that labor wasn't too far off. 

So now, we wait. I feel like I've been doing that a lot lately. But I have to wait some more. If I have not had these babies by Monday, I will have another appointment and will have to talk induction. I'd really love to avoid induction (since most options add some extra risk to the VBAC) so I'm going to spend the week praying, walking, squatting, whatever I can do to speed this along! Ultimately, if babies and I are healthy, I will be happy with whatever happens!

Keep me in your prayers!

Countdown is On...25 Days!

We're at 36 weeks, 3 days today. That's only 25 days from my due date... holy cow!! I can't believe we're finally at this point.

Not a whole lot of updates from the last appointment. Babies heart rates were good, all my vitals looked good.  My doctor is so happy I've made it this far!

He's really on board with my VBAC, he's willing to let me go a really long time before trying anything to induce. From what it sounds like, he is planning on letting me get to 39 weeks, even a few days past that, in an effort to let me go into labor on my own and avoid induction. So different from what I heard from my original OB: "Oh, you're having twins? We'll do a c-section at 38 weeks." Uhhhh... do I get a say in this? I am still so grateful to be seeing the specialist that I am. He is wonderful. I'm just praying that the presenting baby keeps his head down! I've been having so much pressure in my pelvis, it's got to be a head! I haven't had an ultrasound in like 3 weeks so I just worry.

Next week I won't have an appointment, my doctor will be out of town. In fact, it is the worst possible week to have my babies so I probably will go into labor. My doctor and his wife (another doctor at that hospital) are out of town, my doula will be out of town part of the week, and my Grandma is headed into major surgery. Keeping my fingers and legs crossed that I make it past next week. At this point, it doesn't look like a problem though. I haven't had any contractions (except for the occasional "was that one?" pain).

Oh, one last update from my doctors appointment: I didn't gain ONE single pound the last 10 days!!!! It's a miracle! I've heard that's a sign that you're ready to go into labor. That, and the fact that I just got a cold. Maybe, just maybe, I won't be pregnant until week 48 (my doctor assured me he wouldn't let that happen... something about losing his license or whatever).

In other news, I am thoroughly enjoying maternity leave. I've been busy, but I still manage to get a nice nap most days. And most importantly, I have gotten to enjoy sooooo much time with big brother Easton. He's ridiculously clingy right now and I'm loving it. Plus, it gives me an excuse to ignore the laundry pile.

Ok, I gotta get back to my coffee and an exciting episode of Bubble Guppies. Happy... wait, what day is it?... Saturday!

35 Weeks

Just a quick update on my pregnancy... I'm up to 35 weeks as of yesterday!! For twins, that is really great. Hopefully by next week the twins will be at a point where they wouldn't need any NICU time if they were born then. Even at this week, they are pretty close to ready to live outside my uterus. And let me tell you... I am very ready for them to live outside my uterus.

I've given this pregnancy the title of the most physically challenging thing I've ever done. College basketball practice every night for 2 hours from September through February has nothing on this pregnancy. I am exhausted all the time and I hardly do anything. I have lots of aches and pains that just won't let up. When the babies move, it hurts. When I stand up, my sciatic nerve gets angry. I sleep with a heated rice bag on my butt or knees or ankles (depending on the night), a pillow between my legs, and my arms in a funky position so that my hands don't go numb (which they always do anyway). I'm still getting some sleep though, so I can't complain too much.

In fact, I can't complain at all. So many twin moms are faced with preterm labor, bed rest, gestational diabetes, and all sorts of other problems. My pregnancy has been boring. My doctor appointments are so quick it's not even worth the copay. It's such a blessing, though! My babies are growing steadily and at the same pace ( 4lbs 10 oz, and 4 lbs 12 oz as of last Tuesday). And at this point, the doc is willing to let my body and babies decide when it's time to come out, which is wonderful! I'm not going to lie, I'm dying to have that "Oh my gosh, it's time!" moment.

The babies should be around 5 pounds each this week, and around 18 inches long. I can't wrap my mind around how much baby is in there right now... 10+ pounds and 36+ inches?! I've had soooo many people tell me that I don't even look like I'm having twins. They must be all snuggled up in there. There's still time for my belly to get to that grossly huge point, though! I could have 4 more weeks!

Oh, last thing... as of this past Tuesday, I am officially on maternity leave! I have celebrated each day this week with 2 hour naps while my son takes his. It's amazing. I'm trying to get all the sleep in that I can before those babies get here!

Which hopefully, will be soon!!! If we're being official, there's 34 days until my due date, but it will be less than that.

Here's to spontaneous labor at week 38! Momma is ready to meet you, my boys!

My family on the 4th of July!