April & May 2008

robinsonpr · Post by **robinsonpr** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:38 pm

Hi everyone,

Nice to hear from you all, and I'm glad everyone is doing ok bar the normal symptoms like swollen ankles (yeah I got them a bit too!).

I'm doing ok, though I went for a scan yesterday and it was horrible. I felt so nausious on the table that I almost threw up. It was quite hot and stuffy in there so I think it was just down to that. Anyway I managed to put up with the scanning long enough to tell me everything was progressing as expected.

I've been getting lots of moving and kicking from the babies. I even SAW some kicks last night! I was sitting there daydreaming staring at my big belly and bam, a hand/foot pushed right up through my belly button!!! I thought it was going to come out! It happened a few times, really funny to watch.

I'll be doing a plastercast of my belly soon. My sister in law bought me a kit for Christmas so I thought it would be funny to do. She also got me 2 kits to do a hand and footprint of the babies when they are born!

I'm starting to panic about the delivery now. Initially I wanted to try for a natural birth if possible but now I'm thinking I might just take the C option. Baby 1 is head down in my pelvis but baby 2 is head up just above. Is anyone here going to try for a natural birth with twins?

Hayley xx

woodcliff · Post by **woodcliff** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:55 pm

robinsonpr · Post by **robinsonpr** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 7:41 pm

Thanks Woodcliff I think I'm with you on that. Would hate to go through it all only to have an emergency c section anyhow!!

xxx

Cocoa · Post by **Cocoa** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:36 am

Hi Girls!

Hey WC, thanks for the pillow tip... I will be awaiting your evaluation...

I know about arnica but have only seen it in pill form - I did not know they had it in a cream form. I will definately make a trip to get some. My back is so bad that I can't get comfortable no matter where I am (bed, chair, car, couch). I so can't wait to get my own body back!!! I am so glad you went to L&D just to be on the safe side. You are right - it feels good to know you're doing well. Oh and 3.8 is cm and 38 is mm so when I wrote I was 39 that meant 3.9cm (took me a little to get that unmixed-up).

OK - this swollen ankles thing is CRAZY because I have swollen LEGS thank you

Its awful. All I have to do is stand for about 3 to 4 minutes and I get tingling in my legs and at that point I am ever so sure the water is pooling

. It's so uncomfortable - I even get it from sitting too long like you WC. I actually had to travel 2 hours north today for a wake (beloved family matriarch died in Tuesday), mingle, stand and sit for 2 hours and then (because of traffic) drive another 2 1/2 hours home. I am wiped and my legs look like tree stumps (you can just call me the elephant leg lady

). Ladies - if you can at all help it DON'T TRAVEL!!! Yuck...

Hey Vlada - I am being lazy... what's your c-sec date? I know CroElla is 27 weeks and she's due 4/9... I do hope that your bladder infection clears up soon but you need to take acidophilus, eat yogurt with live cultures and if all that fails go get monistat to nip any yeast in the bud before it gets bad. We CAN use monistat even pregnant - its safe - but still talk to your OB... About a baby celebration... I think its a great idea to ask for gift cards. I would prefer it but my girlfriends are so excited about throwing me a shower that I had to do a registry because the last thing I want is to get a bunch of unwanted/needed stuff and then face returns while trying to recouperate. But people mean well and when they love you then you just go with the flow.

Haley - I got a little nauseous during my scan too. I think it was a combination on laying on my back with the babies "squeezing" into my stomach/intestines, the pressure of the transducer and then the tech going in and touching my cervix with the internal transducer. I get queasy that way. I am glad it was just temporary but you may want to ask the tech to let you sit up a little next time.

OK... c-sec vs. vaginal... I was told that if baby A is vertex (head down in the proper birthing position) then you can have a vaginal delovery and that baby B more often than not follows with no problems. Since my baby A is vertex then I am going for a V-birth. I had a V-birth with my son and I know it can get difficult but for the recovery I will take my chances. I just don't want to get cut open again... I have had my gall bladder, appendix and thyroid out (not to mention a bb job - yeah, I did it and it was great but now I wish I could just take them out with all this pregnancy growth - ugh - and yes I can breastfeed cause they're under the muscle). BUT... (the caveat) I will do whatever I have to do to get the babies out healthy

I am going to relax now... Keep up the great posts, keep taking care of yourselves and I look forward to hearing from you all...

xxxCocoa

robinsonpr · Post by **robinsonpr** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:26 am

Thanks for the sitting up tip cocoa. I've got a 4D scan in a few weeks and it would be a shame if I can't lie there long enough for them to do their stuff and get some good shots. Especially at around $400. Anyone else going for a 4D?

Hayley xx

CroElla · Post by **CroElla** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:35 pm

Hayley, $400 for 4D ultrasound?? I don't know what are you getting in your package but I got 15 min of DVD recording (x2), color photos and b/w photos, plus a CD with all of those photos on it for $90. And let me tell you, 15 minutes is plenty, it is not like there is something special can happened if you wait 30 minutes or longer. I have seen my baby sucking her thumb:)

Vlada · Post by **Vlada** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:34 pm

Wow, your guyses USns are cheap!!!! Mine was was in 3D and they billed my insurance 1600 $!!! It was done my a doctor ( radiologist) not the tech and they just purchased this 300.000.00 dollars state of the art mashine but come on, i didn't excpect it to be that much!!! Our insurance covered 90%, so we only have to pay 160 dollars, but still, the original bill is waaaay to much.

Cocoa · Post by **Cocoa** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 1:44 pm

Yeah! $400 - WOW!!! I am going for the "gold" package with friends and family coming to watch. I get stills and a CD and the appt is 30min. This package is $195. Maybe a little steep but its the going rate around here. My hospital doesn't have this technology (the machines - only high resolution B/W U/S) so it just wasn't an option. Also, since hospital policy is "NO VIDEOS" in the U/S tech rooms I really just wanted something to have as a keepsake (it will be fun for the friends etc too).

I still cannot believe how swollen I am. I slept for 8 hours last night and STILL woke up puffy... Isn't it supposed to go away overnight? I am not eating salty foods either. I just hope this is not the start of pre-eclampsia. I hope its just because I am still working f/t and up and about all day and evening with teaching karate...

OK, so who is still working f/t? Anyone going out soon? If so, what's the reason? Exhaustion? Swelling

? PTL?

I tell you I just cannot get comfortable at night and I just can't seem to even try to relax on my right side. I keep thinking something will happen to my baby girl who is on that side (like I will squish her or something). I wish I could switch sides since my back hurts so much. Anyone else not sleeping on their right side at this point?

OK ladies - watch out for the belly getting in the way... I scraped my belly on the oven door as I opened it not realizing it was in the way!

OUCH!!! So watch your belly as you do things... for twins carriers it will get really bad at some point so be careful!!!

LisaPa... I read on the other thread that you have started your new job! I am so glad that you have that to keep your mind busy. I know your loss is still not easy and it will take a lot of time to work through it as it makes no sense at all. You do have a lot to look forward to and with your 2 little guardian angels looking after you and Jeff you will have your dreams come true!!! I pray for you in my heart everyday...

xxxCocoa

Vlada · Post by **Vlada** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:43 pm

Hello,
Cocoa, I sleep mainlly on my right side , it is just more comfortable, but I know that I need to sleep manly on my left side, however, i just can't get comfortable that way, sometimes i even sleep on my back, I know it is bad, but that way there is less pressure on my upper and middle back which is basicly numb and hurts like crazy in the morning when I wake up

Am I gonna hurt my baby by not sleeping mainly on the left side?

Vlada

CroElla · Post by **CroElla** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:18 am

Girls, this is interesting! I remember reading about sleeping on the back being a bad thing, but I'm not entirely sure why. Does it hurt us because baby/s is/are pressing on our organs and intestines or does it actually hurts a baby? I have beautiful new bed and ever since we got it I sleep like a baby (except for getting up twice a night for peeing); but sometimes I found myself sleeping on my back (never slept on my beck in my life) and am getting worried.

Babyb · Post by **Babyb** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:26 am

Hi all. I'm feeling a little better these days with my "evacuation" issue. LOL Cocoa! However, the migraines are coming back with a vengeance! I can't believe how many I have had during this pregnancy. They completely stopped with my first pregnancy -- just my luck this time around.

I am now 20 weeks. I just got on the scale for the first time. I've gained about 15 lbs so far. Is this normal? Of course, with my first pregnancy, I had only put on about 7 lbs by this point (but considering twins, I should probably expect to be double, right?). I feel like I look much bigger than a mere 15 lbs. Cocoa, I too feel like my BBs weigh 101 lbs each. My bras are so tight -- need to get new ones.

Still working and will continue to do so for the next 10-12 weeks I imagine (will work longer if I can tolerate it). I am really having difficulty with my back, though. I can't sit for long periods of time. My lower back KILLS! I'm starting physical therapy and pilates now (hope this will strengthen my core and give my back some relief). Physical therapist is telling me to practice my Kegels to keep my abdominal muscles tight. Can' t imagine hubby would complain about these exercises either.

Have my 21 week US soon. Look forward to actually watching it this time around.

No swollen ankles, but heels are killing me and my balance is all out of whack. Weeble/wobble for certain!

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Speak soon

woodcliff · Post by **woodcliff** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:35 pm

xxxxx

woodcliff · Post by **woodcliff** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:42 pm

oops, "i've had to quit my contracts"

I need an editor, always!

Cocoa · Post by **Cocoa** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:35 pm

Hey Girls...

Well, I guess we're all getting BIG, especially those of us expecting two... I cannot believe how different pregnancies can be. I was exhausted the whole first trimester with my son but it was hit or miss with this one. I was actually sicker than I was tired all during the first 14w - 16w. And this time I have certainly had to pee WAY more often. I was teaching kindergarten with my first pregnancy I am sure I could not have continued to teach had I had to go this often.

WC: I am working because I HAVE to work to keep sane. I am so sure I would obsess over every little twinge and ache OR get REALLY worried if I didn't feel the babies move 24/7. As it is, while I am working I can keep my mind on my profession and the moving around all day rocks the babies to sleep so I am too busy to think about feeling them move. I do feel them though its just that I am not obsessing while working. That said, I am quite large and I cannot see myself working passed 30w - I won't be able to get in and out of the car several times a day like I have to do to see my teachers who are scattered all over the city.

In answer to the "when" to have a baby shower - I have read over and over that since full term is 37w for twins then everything should be calculated according to that time line. With that in mind I told my girlfriends to plan the shower at the end of Feb or beginning of March (32 to 34 w). I ASKED the friend coordinating it to plan on it at my house but she keeps saying no (and I am little annoyed by that but would NEVER say anything since she is doing something special for me). It's just that I don't know how well I will be getting around then and I really don't want to be uncomfortable.

Sleeping... I too have heard that back or right side sleeping once you get into the 3rd trimester can cut down blood flow to the babies BUT with carrying twins this starts in the 2nd trimester since we are so big so much sooner. That's why I was asking about how you all felt about these positions. It makes me a little nervous I guess. I know for me I prefer my back but now its getting uncomfortable in the small of my back but I need a break from sleeping on my left side!!! I turn over to my back or my right side but I don't sleep very long in either of those positions. I am also getting pins and needles in my ams and hands. I am just not used to being this big and since I gained 44lbs with my son I am sure I will gain about 60 with these two.

OH WC... what a horrible experience with your sister letting you "know how she feels" that "its all about YOU and the twins"... that's really selfish of her (I mean even if she THINKS that selfishly she should have kept it to herself and examine herself for even thinking that). That's the problem with the overall "values" in this country... we emphasize get, get, get, do, do, do at all cost when we should really be learning how to help others and feel their joy and their pain and be there for one another - ESPECIALLY family. Its just so sad that you and many of us have to endure the judgements of others. I've become a hermit in my "older age" and I don't let people in like I used to do. I have been hurt so badly by the very people who professed to love me in this life and since there is nothing you can do to change other people we have to look into ourselves and decide what is healthiest for us. If its healthier for you not to be around certain people (i.e. your DH's family) then you have to cut them off... so sad really. I think if we learned to examine our motive for our thoughts, actions and words we would see how very self-centered we really are and then maybe do something about it. I know I don't have all the answers but I do know that I have to put it into perspective and understand I am not in control of anyone but me.

OMG! I have so much to do before the babies make their premiere but I just can't keep up my former pace. I do a little (and sometimes very little) at a time but I still cannot believe how strong this nesting instinct is... I mean I am changing filters, cleaning out ducts, fixing sidewalk cracks... Anyone else got the nesting bug? It may pertain to how big your belly is though in which case those of you carrying singles might not get the itch for another couple of weeks....

So, I am going to lay down and relax now. I hope you all had a super weekend and have a wonderful Monday!

xxxCocoa

April & May 2008

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