I am still around, if you remember me !!!

[Jo Radley]

Hi Everyone,

Thought I'd give those of you that remember me an update since I haven't posted for months!

For those of you who don't know me, DH and I were trying to conceive for 2 yrs+, failed clomid, failed IUIs and then found out I was pregnant on September 11th 2003 after our 1st IVF cycle - with Twins !!

First few months of pregnancy I was very sick and felt absolutely awful, but understood it's very normal with twins, IVF etc. Started to bleed at 11 wks, but only lasted a few days. Had a big bleed at 12 wks (Guy Fawkes Night!), but thankfully scans showed my cervix was completely closed and was just one of those unexplained occurences in pregnancy.

Everything was going fine - went for 21 wk scan in January which showed that Twin 1 was engaged - literally engaged - head so far down that they couldn't take any measurements of the circumference etc. Twin 2 was laying across my tummy, so forming a 'T' shape, pushing down on Twin 1 which engaged him/her even further.

Had internal scan on 20th Janaury which showed that my cervix had shortened from 37mm before Christmas, to 22mm. Put on bed rest at home and had further internal scan on Wednesday 28th January which showed that my cervix had shortened to 17mm. 28/1//04 was the day we had the terrible snow, DH was stuck on the M25 near Watford (we live in Coulsdon, Surrey) and it took my sister and I over 2 hrs to drive 6 miles for my Consultant's appointment - sod's law, don't you think???!!! Anyway, was told to go straight to Mayday Hospital urgently for a stitch to be placed in my cervix. Due to the snow, no MidWives could make it into work on time, however they eventually operated (via spinal block) at 1.00am.

Next 24 hrs were horrendous, they thought my waters had broken and at only 24 wks pregnant, told DH and I to expect the worse. Had steriod injections to help mature their lungs etc and was put on complete bed rest in hospital - ended up staying in for 6 1/2 wks!

At 27 wks, they thought I had gestational diabetes as the Twins were so big according to their growth scans, but thankfully I didn't.

At 29 wks, they thought I had 'OC' (sorry, don't remember the full name, but it's the one where it has something to do with the enzymes in your liver) as I was itching all over, but again, thankfully I didn't.

Anyway, finally let out of hospital just over 2 wks ago and am 33 wks pregnant today! Had growth scan last week and Twins are both breech, Twin 1 weighing 5lb 12oz and Twin 2 weighing 5lb 6oz (approx)! Still being told that they are VERY big for their age, but feel it will give them a good start if they are born prematurely.

Cos they are both breech, Consultant want's to wait as near as he can to 38 wks for an elective c-setion, but the weight they are now, may have to deliver sooner if they continue to grow at the rate they are!!!!!!! They were originally going to remove the stitch at 34-36 wks, but again, cos they're both breech, will wait and remove the stitch when they do the c-section.

DH and I fell very blessed to have come this far, so many times over the past 7/8 mths we have both thought that the end was inevitable and have expected the worse, but to reach 33 wks is just amazing. We can't believe that in the next 5 wks, we will hopefully be welcoming two healthy babies into this world, but still pray each day that they will both be safe & healthy.

I am trying to get up to date with everyone's posts and news, but can't believe I haven't posted since October and have lost track of everybody. You are all often in my thoughts and want you to know that I do think about you, even though I haven't posted for ages.

Now I've made contact again, all being well, I will keep you updated with our progress - fingers crossed.

Loads of love and best wishes to you all,

Jo
xxxxxx

[sharon]

Hi Jo,

My my the last few months have been eventful.
Staying in hospital for that long must have been a nightmare!

Im 36 weeks pregnant with twins - big twins too.
They have been bigger all along since our 20 week scan. I had to be tested for diabetes and have a more detailed scan at 30 weeks, both ok so hospital have just said that they're big babies!

Our last scan at 35 weeks twin 1 was 6lb 14 and twin 2 was 7lb 2 so Im booked in to have a caesarean in a weeks time on 8th April, Ill be 37 weeks - if I last that long, Im finding it very difficult to move!!!!!

Went to the hospital today to do the paperwork for the caesarean, I have mixed emotions I feel very nervous but excited and like you can't quite believe that hopefully soon I'll be holding 2 little (!!!!) babies.

You must feel relieved you have made it to 33 weeks, are you prepared, is the nursary ready? It must have set you back being in hospital for that long.

We think we are having a boy and a girl, do you know what you are having?

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy - I think you have had enough excitment so take things easy!

Take care


Sharon XXXX

[Dagny]

Hello Jo

I do remember you. We don't live that far from eachother, I live in Merstham near Redhill. Did you have your treatment at the Mayday with Booker or Shirley Oaks? I remember posting to someone last year that had treatment there with Mr Booker.

You have had a right old nightmare But it's looking like things are on the straight and narrow now thankgoodness. I am so glad that the babies are growing well and that they have hung on so far. Fingers crossed for the next 5 weeks.

I have had a nightmare of a different kind as you may have read. I gave birth to my daughter, Katelyn at 24 weeks in February but sadly she died shortly after and we miss her terribly Nothing prepares you for that and we are still trying to come to terms with it.

You look after yourself and those little babies. Do you know the sex of them?

Love Dagny xkx

[Jules R]

Hi Jo

Great news that you're out of hospital. I was going to e-mail Diane this weekend to find out how you were doing so it's fab that you're able to give us the latest update. I was pretty sure that your two would have arrived by now so they're doing a good job of staying put!

Does this mean that you get to do all of the pushchair shopping or has it already been done for you?

Take care.

Jules

P.S. A belated Happy Birthday to Diane's (not so) little one - sorry, I can't remember whether she has a daughter or a son!

[Tracey S]

Jo

What a saga - we have had so many - wondered where you were and relieved for you all seems to be ok and very selfishly for me too!!

I am 21 wks tomorrow with twins and with losing Oliver last year we feel very blessed - reading your story I can now panick again!!! Only joking folks
Please keep us posted - do you know the sex of them - ours are two girls - loads of hormones in our house to come!!!!!!!! Yikes

Big hug and thanks for letting us know
Love
Tracey
xxx

[phil]

jo, what a trauma and a truly great outcome!

welcome back!

phil x

[Zed2003]

Hi Jo,
What a time you've had! - It'll all be worth it VERY SOON though!!
And what great weights - they must be healthly - Sam was born at 33 weeks and 'only' weighed 4lb 7oz which they though was good...
You take care over the next couple of weeks
Zoe x

[Dawn Blake]

Hi Jo, how could we not remember you, wondered where you were?!

You have really been through it these past few months, sounds like you have a couple of little fighters in there!

33 weeks is really good for twins anyway isn't it, so not long at all to go now, and will keep looking out for your posts updating us.

Wishing you all the best.

D x