Beautiful Babies Due in 2011 (Combined Group)

[riogirl71]

Annas - crazy to think we are at the finish line! I am so glad that Paul is hanging out and waiting! Your pics were absolutely gorgeous!

Bliss - So glad you found the HB so quick and you had me LMAO with your comment about feeling the baby, it might be a bit too soon to feel your bean! I like your attitude of not freaking out if you don't find bean quickly! Sometimes it takes a while.

Babyblue - sorry your employer will not be bfeeding friendly that makes it really hard but glad that you are doing it while you can. Are you going back part time or full time? Love your birth story and the happy man!

to have fun - don't worry about the weight as long as baby is growing and OB is happy, I gained very little with my DS and he was fine.

kjm - have fun in Indiana with in laws!!!

Sweetpea - you are brave camping pregnant! Have fun!!!!

Ryann - thank you so much for sharing your story, I hope the twins are thriving and getting stronger everyday cannot wait for pics! You doing laundry and going to the shower to not have dirty hair had me LMAO cause that would be me!!!

Lou - congrtas on new car! Love the new car smell!

Mellow - love Marlo's pics so glad she is growing and I hope she can go home soon! Glad you had answers about Claire but sorry to hear you lost a perfectly healthy baby because of chord placement, I don't even know what to say. I am so sorry.

SD- thanks for the advice! I know you are not an OB but you sure have a better understanding than all of us do! I really appreciate you taking the time. I guess sometimes I just wish I had no choice on somethings!!! How is your precious niece doing?

Margi - getting so close to 24 weeks - love it! Did you get bed rest extended?

Leora - congrats on being comfortable with the AC! 2 more days to 24 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congtas on the big milestone

Klinger - Thanks for the advice I will probably ask OB for a cerivx check on Wednesday. I agree on the c-sec babies needing more help because they don't get squeezed. I love Maribel's smile!

Blair - congrats again on two girls, we have two large dogs and DS loves them and they are really good with him are you rehoming your dogs for good or just while the babies are little? It is more work but I would not trade having them around DS and now DD for anything, DS has learned so much from them, from having to be gentle to caring and feeding them!

I am still hanging in here, 38 weeks today (ticker is one day off) so we shall see what happens, no more crazy contractions but I am feeling everything, even getting up and moving around takes a toll on me now so I really need to slow down. I am just going to take it day by day and this not knowing kind of drives me crazy since I always need a plan! I would rather DD be born while DS is in daycare for a couple of days to give him some sense of normalcy and routine since it will be hard on him not to have me home. I have an OB check on Wednesday so we will see what he says!

[rypell1985]

Kay...I'm so sorry for your loss. I don't even know the words, but you and DH are in my prayers.

[leorira11]

Kay - I'm one of those other women who lost their babies. I lost my first set of twins at 22 weeks when one baby's water broke and we couldn't stop the inevitable. It is so heartbreaking to deliver a baby, who is perfect in every way but only born too early. I wish I had words of wisdom, or words that could help comfort you, but I don't think there are any.

Take all the time you need to grieve. People *will* say obnoxious things ('better to lose him now than later, before you really knew him', 'you can always have more', 'at least this way you know the IVF can work', 'this is all God's plan - it's all for the best'). Just try to ignore them. People say these obnoxious cliche things because there are no words that can actually help and people feel the need to say something, even when they probably shouldn't.

Some people feel the need to TTC again immediately - other people want to wait to heal and grieve. Both responses are totally normal. You and your husband can do anything you choose to do.

When I lost my twins, people kept telling me that it would get better with time. I couldn't believe them. I hurt soooo much and couldn't imagine ever "moving on"... you never "move on" or "get over it", but time does heal. Do I miss my babies every single day? Does my heart ache for the son and daughter I never got to keep? Of course. But time makes the hurt less. That's the only comfort I can offer. Time will heal.

The physical aspects of losing so late in a pregnancy are really hard. My milk came in. My belly went flat immediately. The nausea/heartburn/etc disappeared immediately. And I missed all of those symptoms. I hated how comfortably I could sleep and run around.

Of course, as bad as the physical side can be, the emotional part is so much worse.

I hope the doctor's can give you answers to all the questions you have (why did this happen? Will I be able to carry a baby to term?), but its possible they won't know.

I was given the all clear to TTC again and told by several doctors that what happened was a fluke accident and unlikely to happen again. I've been monitored super carefully throughout this pregnancy, but everything looks completely normal. I know that doesn't answer whether or not YOU will be able to carry to term, but just know that it is possible.

big big big big hugs. If you ever want to talk, or have questions about my experience, or what to expect after a 22 week loss - send me a PM or an email (leorira11 (at) gmail.com).

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[rypell1985]

I just wanted to give you ladies an update from the NICU Both babies are still breathing on their own, but have
both been put on feeding tubes because they just can't remember to breathe while they eat. I was prepared for it though. I was discharged Friday and have been going back and forth since. My poor DH was the best man in his brother's wedding so he didn't get to see them much. We went for their 5am feeding together but that was all he got. I'm pumping right now and then we are going to spend the day there. I still haven't gotten to a real computer, so I'm sorry there are no pics yet, but they are beautiful!

[MamaBoo]

Sorry, ladies everytime I try to post, I lose my post or my computer starts misbehaving....

We had a meeting on Friday afternoon with the experts in what I am dealing with (if you want a better understanding, Google TRAP sequence you can find a better explanation than I can give). The babies don't directly share any tissue. The blood from the normal twin leaves the umbilical cord and enters the umbilical cord of the abnormal twin. The abnormal twin does not have a head or lungs or heart. Therefore, the normal twin, Denver, is pumping for two. The strain it puts on his heart is too much and if we do nothing he only has about a 10% chance of making it. However, on Monday, I am having a procedure that cauterizes the umbilical cord of the abnormal twin. It will keep Denver from having to pump for two. He has between a 90-95% chance of surviving with the procedure. They expect with this type of procedure that I will deliver at between 33-34 weeks gestation. (Puncturing the uterus and membranes tend to cause preterm labor. However, the smaller and fewer the punctures, the longer you tend to carry.) Of course, I am nervous. However, I feel there is no other choice.

Kay: I am so very sorry for your loss. I do not know how to even begin to express my sympathy.

[klinger13]

Waitingkay - I am so very sorry for your loss. There just aren't enough words to comfort you at a time like this. Please know I'm sending prayers to you and your DH. Once you are ready to start thinking about trying again, if they think your PTL was due to incompetent cervix, like Rio said, please PM karenthescorpio or read her previous thread on TAC's (transabdominal cerclage.) Again though, I'm just so sorry this happened to you. ((HUGS))

Mamaboo - Hoping that tomorrow's procedure goes well. Please post your update when you can and in the meantime, sending you positive thoughts and prayers too!

[lou71]

WaitingKay -- I'm so sorry for your loss. I broke into sobs when I read your post. It's just so unfair. I lost a baby at 12 weeks and I remember the pain like it was yesterday. All I can tell you is that time does help. I agree with the others, talk to Karenthescorpio. She went through something very similar. She's kind, and sweet, and very smart. I know it helps to talk to someone who's been through it and can fully understand what you and your husband went through. Her PTL was from an incompetent cervix and she had a TAC before conceiving again and recently delivered a beautiful healthy baby! Please let me know if there's anything I can do. PM me if you want to talk. I can give you my number or call you as well. You and your DH are in my prayers.

Mamaboo -- I'm praying for you and your baby to have a successful procedure. Let's focus on the positive... 95% is pretty darn good survival rate! Good luck to you.

[riogirl71]

Waiting for Kay - you are in my prayers and have been in my thoughts, I just really wish there was something we could all do for you but like Leora said time is probably the only thing that will help. I cannot imagine what you are going through but I am glad that you have a wonderful DH to hang on to.

Mamaboo - those odds seem great for your surgery! I am so very sorry you have to go through this but it seems like it is not an option in order to have Denver be healthy, I will keep you and him in my prayers for a wonderful outcome!

Ryann - you know we are all dying here for a pic of twins, I already bugged my DH to try and figure out how to post a pic on here from the hospital!!!

[HopeIsAllIHave]

Kay - I am extremely sorry for your loss. DH and I read your post together and became so sad and upset while reading it. It just doesn't seem fair. I know no words can comfort you at this time, but I am so sorry you have to go through such unbearable pain. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[rypell1985]

Here are some pictures of Isabella




And here is Dylan

[klinger13]

Ryann - I LOVE the pics of Bella & Dylan! OMG they are such cuties!! Congratulations again on the arrival of your beautiful bundles of joy!

[baby_blu73]

Waitingkay - I am beyond heartbroken to hear about the loss of your son. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Please know we're here to lend an ear and kind words anytime you need us.

Mamaboo - I haven't Googled that condition yet, but the procedure sounds promising. Please keep us posted on how everything goes. I just know you and your LO are going to be fine!

[baby_blu73]

Ryann - OMG!!! I just saw the GORGEOUS pics of Bella and Dylan! I wanna smooch them!!! Soooooo sweet! Thanks for sharing with us and please post LOTS more pics of those sweet little faces!

[HopeIsAllIHave]

Ryann - OMG, absolutely LOVE the pictures of Bella and Dylan!! What cuties they are! Big, BIG CONGRATS to you and DH!!!

[karenthescorpio]

Just want to say congrats to all who's little one's have arrived. I've been MIA since my precious daughter arrived on June 24th. Between the NICU, coming home, family visits and the sleep deprivation (mostly due to breastfeed/pumping and our 17 yo dog who is sick). Sending everyone a huge cyber hug!

Karen