**February 2011 Babies**

[jenice]

Rio - I'm so sorry for your loss. I have lost several pregnancies and it is devastating. I know with my pregnancy they thought still never saw 2 babies but @ 7 weeks had subchorionic hemmorhage. The RE thinks I might have lost one, I was really hard to scan. I was scared about losing this pregnancy and even had a blood clot on the placenta which made me @ risk for miscarriage. The little trooper has hung in there Try not to worry and take it easy. Easier said then done I know. Thanks about the info, still waiting from my DR office to call me. MAYBE NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS

AFM- my DD has a horrible GI virus been up all night throwing up every hour on the hour. Didn't realize her body could hold that much fluid My stomach is a little quesy not sure if it is from no sleep and cleaning vomit all night. I hope DH and I don't get this right before christmas.

[purpleFish]

Rio - I am so sorry for your loss. After all you have been thorough, it breaks my heart that you lost one of your babies. Hugs! The bean you have left is truly a miracle. I pray that that little bean grows big and strong. I did see that woman that had a VBAC after 3 c-sections, I would be too scared to every try a homebirth.

jenice - oh my I hate that virus. It seems we get it once every year (now that we have kids). I have never been so sick, I remember when Hannah was 1, holding her while she threw up in the garbage can, while I was throwing up in the toilet. I am praying that you don't get it. If you do come down with it make sure that once you can keep something down you really ramp up on the fluids.

PA - you will do great as a single mommy! My husband had to travel for a week when the babies were about 4 weeks old. It was rough, but I made it through. Also if you have any friends in town, make a list and get volunteers to come help you. Also when it gets closer, you should make yourself some meals and freeze them, that way you have easy yummy food.

AFM - I am still feeling crummy. I spent most of the day in bed today, I called my mom on Sunday morning and she was able to change her flight and come out early to help me with the kids. I am still getting sick about twice a day and feeling crampy. I went in for my 34 week checkup today and my OB seems to think it is viral... I think it feels more like morning sickness because it comes and goes. I guess only time will tell.

[julia_78]

Hi everyone!

Rio - I am so sorry for the loss of your twin, it's just so unfair ((((hugs))))) I know what you mean about missing & loving that little one. We m/c during our first pregnancy, I was only 6 weeks but I could not believe the pain I went thru -- it was so much more than the fear of having thru IVF all over again, it was more about losing a baby I was already so in love with, no matter how small he/she was. These little ones are our babies from day 1. Take the time you need to mourn your loss but don't forget to eat & sleep and do whatever else your body needs to provide a good home to your other baby! I wish you a very healthy & happy pregnancy from here ((((hugs))))

Jenice - hoping that you are right and that no news is good news about your glucose test. I do my 30 min test on Thu, and really hope that I don't hear back until after xmas so I can at least enjoy the holidays enjoying sweets Sorry about your daughter being sick, I hope the virus passes quickly!

Purple - sorry about your trip to the ER and you still feeling sick! Yay for your mom coming to help take care of the kids... That's great that she is able to be there for you... DH and I are pretty much on our own (my family is in France and DH's parents passed away) so we are starting to interview sitters/ nannies to help us out 2-3 hours a day once the babies are here, from taking care of the twins while I shower to helping with light housekeeping or with the dog. It's so overwhelming to try to find someone we'll trust with our babies! But hopefully we can test-drive some of those nannies on a part-time basis while I am at home on maternity leave, before we trust them full-time with the babies. Oh and I can't believe your ticker, 34 weeks, OMG you are almost there!

Pa-fa - sorry you are too dealing w/ a bad cold. Enjoy your time off w/ the in-laws, and hope they don't drive you too crazy. Will you have any help during the 5 weeks DH will be in TX? Maybe you should hint strongly to a friend that she may want to start a food calendar for you and have people sign up to bring you meals or groceries, or allow you some mental health time away from the baby You seem so strong, juggling your mom & your pregnancy etc, you'll probably end up doing just fine, super mom!

AFM - nothing much is new. I feel good, a couple aches here & there but overall I feel lucky so far. We went to a debutante thing-y last Friday, it was a first for me and quite an experience, oh so formal We did have a great time and it was nice to dress up some (I have pretty much been living in sweats and jeans as I work from home and don't fit in anything else...). I did dance for 45 min which was a lot of fun but completely wiped me out!! DH was cracking up to see how far from me he was on the dance floor We have another u/s on Thu and can't wait to see our babies again. DH is off between xmas and new years and will be putting the final touches on the nursery so hopefully I'll post pictures of the nursery soon.

Happy holidays everyone!
Julia

[mev0630]

Hi All!

Rio - I am so sorry for the loss of one of your twins. I will continue to send you good vibes and positive thoughts for your baby that he/she will continue to grow and flourish!

Jenice - I was lucky that I didn't gain too much weight from the IVF cycle so overall I've put on about 35lbs, which is the low end of suggested weight gain for twins. The range is 35-45lbs and I have about 2-4 weeks to go? So right on target! I am worried about getting back into shape but I am allowing myself a year to slowly get back to prepregnancy shape!

PurpleFish - Since you've been through a twin pregnancy before - how did you survive the rib pain. It's been intermittent the 3rd trimester but these last two weeks have been quite painful and know stretching or position is giving me any relief. I don't know how I'm going to get through the next 2-4 weeks.......(deep breath).......

KittyMom - My pregnancy twin - are you out there? I hope you're doing and feeling okay!

AFM - So last week was very busy for us. We had another ultrasound appt last Wed. Both babies are doing very well and have grown to 4 lbs each! While their growth is great, this also means that it's been more difficult on me since there isn't much space for them - I'm already carrying 8 lbs of babies! Most of my discomfort is when they decide to hang out near my rib cage. Right now, Baby A - Girl, is transverse. She has her head in my right ribs and her feet are down. Baby B - Boy is head down, but his legs are outstretched and also in my right ribs. This basically means I don't get any sleep!

Last Thursday night, I got to model for an expectant moms event. I met Amy Tara Koch, who is a style editor and author of "Bump It Up", the previous week at another event and she asked it I would help her with another event and she would style me. It was fun! However, that night my left leg continued to bother me from the previous night as if I twisted my ankle which would result in numbness and tingling to above my knee. Our OB didn't want to take any chances so she had us go to the ER to have an US on my leg to make sure it wasn't a blood clot. Luckily, everything is fine and the tests were negative, however it was an exhausting night as we were there from 11p-2a. The leg still bothers me a bit, and at my follow-up appt today, my OB referred me to the chiropractor to see if maybe it's a pinched nerve. All in all, we're all doing well and happy to have reached Week 32!

I can't believe we're in the homestretch! My DH and I still can't believe it's happening. Sometimes we just laugh and smile ourselves to tears that I'm pregnant, let alone going to have two beautiful babies in about a month. We are so blessed!

Hope all is well and if don't have to hop on this weekend - wishing all of you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[kitty_mom]

Hello ladies

Been a little MIA lately but I have been reading daily checking up on everyone! I've been feeling a bit under the weather. I'm glad to read that everyone is trucking right along! I will try to catch up on personals after Christmas.

AFM- I was at the labor and delivery department today. I have been having some cramping over that last few days and a lot of contractions. Then this morning I thought I may have been leaking fluid so I called and they told me to get to L&D right away. I was hooked up the monitors, had an internal (oh fun), and they did a swab to check the probability of me going into labor in the next 10 days (Never heard of this before) and everything came back ok. I was having a few more contractions than they would like to have seen but my cervix, although thinned at 2.4, has not opened at all. The doc did say that my little boy (baby A) is right at the door waiting to get out! Not so fast little ones we need to wait until at least 36 weeks.....please!!!!!! So now Im home confined to the couch or my bed until I go back on Wednesday. They did say that I could venture out on Christmas as long as I promise not to over do it!

May all of you have a very Merry Christmas, or Happy Holiday Season

[purpleFish]

Kitty - I am sorry that you are having some contractions, not being dilated is good though, and I thought some thinning at 32 weeks is pretty normal? That is what my OB said anyway. I hope you can keep your feet up and keep those babies inside for a while longer. Drink Drink Drink! My OB said that any amount of dehydration can cause contractions, so make sure you are hydrated. Also on a positive note after 32 weeks most babies that are born have no long-term health consequences. So even though it wouldn't be ideal, if the babies were born soon they would be fine.

mev - I am so sorry you are having the rib-pain. Are you having heartburn with it too? I had one headup and one headdown last time and it was just awful. This time they are both head-down, so it is much better. Unfortunately there is not much you can do beyond some comfort measures. Warm baths, warm washclothes near the ribs, stretching. At 32 weeks you still might be able to get the babies to turn. Look online for exercises to turn the babies. I also put a coldpack by my ribs this time... I am not sure what did it or if they turned on their own, but by 34 weeks they both flipped over. The end of pregnancy, especially with twins is so hard. I am totally with you. Every day I have no idea how I am going to make it any further, but I just keep reminding myself that it will all be over soon, and the goal is two healthy full-term babies. The good news is after the babies were out it was pain, but it was also such a relief, I could finally get decent sleep again (even with two newborns). You can do it!!!

julia - We didn't have much help the first time around either, this time we are much luckier we have made lots of friends and family is close by. It is a great idea to have someone come help you part time. Also if you can swing it, it might be nice to get a housekeeper for a few months. (I asked everyone to pitch in for Christmas to get me a housekeeper for 6 months). The other thing is if you have friends that are willing to help, let them. We were pretty stubborn the first time around and tried to do so much by ourselves. Also if you can cook some meals soon and freeze them for some easy healthy dinners. I can't believe I am almost there either. Really it could be anytime. After 35 weeks they won't stop labor!


AFM - nothing new really. My dad flew in today, so both my parents are here, which is giving me some great relief. I actually watched a movie today. The kids are happily being spoiled by grandma and grandpa I am really looking forward to Christmas! I can't believe that it is so soon! If I make it until then I have an ultrasound on the 4th.

[riogirl71]

Thank you so much for your good thoughts and prayers, our Baby A is perfect measuring a couple of days ahead while Baby B did not make it all and is the same size as 1 week ago. I am very sad but also glad that if it was not meant to be that at least it happened early as to not compromise Baby A. What a relief! I also found out I have early gestational diabetes now, let the dieting and poking begin!

Purple - I am glad you get to take a breath with your parents helping! Sorry you don't feel so good.

Kitty - thank you so much for your PM, I am so sorry to hear that you had to go get checked out. Please take it super easy we want those little beans baking longer! So glad to hear everything is ok.

mev - 4lbs each - wow! You poor thing it does sound very uncomfortable, so people say to get as much sleep before the twins come, how? Glad to hear they are so healthy! Do you have any modeling pics to post?

Julia - Enjoy the sweets but I am sure your glucose test will be fine! I hope you find someone really nice to help.


Jenice - thank you for thereassurance and glad your twin is doing great as a singleton. No GD for you!

PA - you will do great, my only advice is sleep when she sleeps. The house work and all that stuff can wait. Prioritize! Women try to catch up when the little ones are sleeping and then they end up overwhelmed and overtired. You do not need to be super woman! Get delivery, don't cook, don't worry! Hope you feel better soon!

It is so wonderful to see my cycle buddies from May doing so well and so close to meeting their little ones, I am so happy and excited for all of you! Thank you again for all of your support!!!! TOok me a little while but I am catching up with you girls! Only 29 weeks to go

[julia_78]

hi everyone!

kitty - i am so sorry about the early contractions... it must have been so scary for you today... but as purple said, 32 weeks babies would do ok if nothing could stop them... take it easy and stay on that couch! do they think you'll be able to resume normal activity after wed? not so fast, baby A

mev - the expectant mom fashion event sounds like so much fun! post pics!! sorry to hear about your rib pain.. i have been getting it since week 20 or so (not sure if it's b/c the twins are on top of each other so b has been pretty high up in my ribs, since very early on). bras were so painful for a while, but i have been doing stretching exercises and that seems to help some.

purple - thanks for all the advice! getting cleaning services for xmas is such a great idea... i have been trying to make double batches of food and start freezing some little by little. hopefully i'll be able to make more food over the xmas holidays to keep filling that freezer! so glad your parents are there to help with the kids so you can put your feet up! happy holidays to you & yours!

afm - i had the glucose test today and passed, yay! i told the lab girl not to tell me til after xmas if i did not pass so i could enjoy the holidays to their fullest, but everything worked out great... they also gave me the rhesus - shot, no big deal at all, the shot is a tad painful but IVF gave us pretty thick skin when it comes to shots, didn't it AND we got to see the twins on the u/s... they are both transverse, and weigh 2 lbs 12 oz and 2 lbs 8 oz each, right around the 50 percentile. they were both pretty sleepy today so we did not see too much activity (i thought the glucose drink would have woken them up but that did not do the trick, maybe they are getting immune to sugar?), it was still so nice to see them, sweet little things! i started getting really bad acid reflux the past couple of nights - anyone else struggling w/ that? i even had to spend one night sleeping on a chair b/c the reflux would come all the way up every time i laid down (sorry for TMI)... i woke up feeling as sore and groggy as i did when i used to take the red-eye to europe and go straight to the office for a full day of work. thankfully i caught a break from it last night and caught up on my sleep, and the OB told me i could up the doses of medicine as the 75 mg doses did not do the trick at all. all the holiday food is not helping either, i know oh the joys of bringing our little miracles to this world, i would not change a thing even if i could...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS everyone, isn't it amazing to think our babies will be here w/ us to celebrate nxt year!

julia

[Franca]

Hi girls have any of you experienced AF pains at around the 32 week? cramp feeling? x

[PA_FA]

Franca- I am getting those too just once in a while. I assume it's just BH contractions. They do not increase and they do not intensify so no worries!

Thanks for the suggestions on food however I really don't have any friends around here. It's pretty hard to make friends when I fly on the weekends and everyone else is off. Plus the women on my street have only just begun to speak to me now that I am pregnant. (roll eyes) My few girl friends who live here are flight attendants as well and have no kids, nor any desire to have kids. I'm really kind of on my own. I have been freezing single size portions. I am planning on making lots more food when the baby is here and DH can watch her before he leaves. That's the plan anyhow. My mother-in-law has offered to come up and stay but I think that may cause more problems than it's worth. LOL

Not sure if I posted on Monday after the OB. Baby girl is now 5lb 3oz. She is doing great and feels like she is running out of space. LOL My in-laws are taking bets that there is no way I will make it to Feb. They all think I am too small for a 10lb baby. I wouldn't mind the begining of Feb, I have to be honest. She already flops around like a cat being thrown into water. OUCH!
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. XOXO

[purpleFish]

Franca - I had AF pains this last week, and both my doctor and I think it is viral. I think I just had a little stomach bug. Another possibility is that it is gas, and the baby (or babies) get bigger it can make gas feel more painful. If it gets worse call your OB and have it checked out, that is what I did. Better safe then sorry! If it is BH contractions your whole belly will be hard (if you push on it, it will feel rock hard all over).

PA - I am sorry that you don't have anyone around, we had just moved about a month before the first set was born and I didn't know anyone either. Freezing meals is a great idea, also if your town has a delivery service? We have one that has about 7 restaurants to choose from and they will go pick up your meal and bring it to you. I have to say my husband did that to me, he went for a 3 day business trip when the kids were about 4 months old and his MIL came up and stayed.... it was horrible. I would have rather been by myself. Over 5lbs is so great! The human body has an amazing ability to stretch you may make it to your due date yet.

julia - hooray for passing the glucose test! I am so glad you got to see your little ones, how fun! The weights are also right on track... yay for healthy babies! I have been battling heartburn and acid reflux. I am on a low heartburn diet (so bland... blah), but it does help. Fizzy drinks (like sprite) also seem to help calm it down. I am also chewing on lots of tums. Last time with one baby head up I went on one of the heartburn medications and it helped a lot, I am not there yet this time with both babies headdown. I also sleep somewhat propped up.

Rio - you are so amazing and strong! I hope you enjoy the holidays and your little miracle.


I can't wait until tomorrow morning to see my two open their Christmas gifts, I think I am just as excited as they are! This is the first year they really get Christmas and are looking forward to it.

I hope you all have a wonderful fun day tomorrow!

[jenice]

Hi everyone, hope everyone Christmas was good My DD was a lucky girl and got lots of toys, soooo spoiled. My 3 hour glucose tolerance test came out negative, YEAH !!!! I'm very happy about that. I've gained to much weight since the last time I saw the OB. I'm starting to retain fluid my ankles are swelling. I swelled like a blow fish when I was preggo with my DD. I had to leave the hospital in slippers cause no shoes would fit @ all. I have to watch my salt intake.

PA- Where are you @ in PA ? We are probably neighbors

purplefish- I have to sleep with a gerd pillow, cause I will actually throw up in my mouth when I'm asleep ( sorry for TMI ). Sometimes it will happen when I'm sitting up. I don't have heartburn though. It just comes up, literally.

[purpleFish]

Here is my belly photo for you=) 35 weeks and still stretching.

[jenice]

My baby girl's tooth is loose, I guess she will be losing it soon I just had to share

[julia_78]

hi everyone

hope you all had a nice christmas!

purple - you look great on that picture! i am 6 weeks behind you so now i know how much growing i have to prepare myself for does your back hurt at all?

jenice - yay for passing the 3-hr glucose test!! are you amazed that your little DD is already losing her teeth?? i bet it must make you realize how much time flew by! or at least that's what i keep hearing from all my friends with kids, so i know we'll have to be ready to cherish each moment!

pa-fa - you may want to look into having someone come & help you out during DH's travel, even if only a couple hours a day or some evenings or weekend, just so you can get some rest and keep your sanity i have been looking for someone to come 2-3 hours a day to help us with the twins - either to watch them while i sleep or shower, or even to fold clothes or clean up dishes or run small errands for me. i put an ad on sittercity and got so many responses from college students looking for part-time hours. you may want to line up some help now, you can always cancel it later if you realize you don't need it... 5 weeks is a long time for you by yourself w/ a newborn! i can't believe your little girl is already 5 lbs!! i am 4 weeks behind you and our twins are shy of 3 lbs each. is she in the upper percentile for 33 weeks?

franca - i have not felt any such pains but have read on these boards that they are pretty common, so don't worry!!

afm - we had planned to finish preparing the nursery during our xmas break... well we got well underway but had to put our plans on hold for a couple of days: we woke up on tue to a flood from our upstairs bathroom, 1/2 inch of water on the ground, and the water had seeped thru the walls and ceilings and flooded our kitchen and downstairs bathroom where there was another 1/2 inch of water. cleaning up all that mess w/ my belly getting in the way was no fun. the insurance company found that we still had quite a bit of humidity in the walls & ceiling in the kitchen as of yesterday so they brought in industrial size dehumidifier and heaters to dry it all out, removed parts of beadboard and molding in the kitchen to allow the dry wall to dry, etc. it's far from a disaster but it's definitely a mess. once it's all dry we'll have to deal w/ the restoration which i know will be messy and i was not looking forward to dealing w/ it during my last trimester but i guess in the grand scheme of things it could have been much much worse....
oh and for xmas i got my very first stretchmarks i have been putting cream religiously 2x a day, but had been focusing mostly on my belly and breasts. well i got them on the hips, which is not an area that had stretched much at all.... go figure.... those of you w/ previous pregnancies, do stretchmarks fade away overtime or do they stay the color they come in (mine are light purple)?

have a great new year's eve everyone and to a great 2011 with all of our little miracles!!

julia