Twins No More- 14 Weeks

Well, I went to my doctor appointment on the 17th and it did not go well. I walked in there telling the doctor how great I felt and how I had been getting a lot of my energy back- and then there was only one heartbeat found on the clinic ultrasound machine. He sent me in the morning of the 18th for an ultrasound on the hospital's nicer machine. That was the longest night ever. I did not even realize how much hope I still had that both babies were ok. I was heartbroken when the technician confirmed the news. She measured both babies and told me that based on the size, the deceased baby never made it past 9-10 weeks gestation. It had happened weeks ago and I had no idea. Ironically, this was before I even started blogging this pregnancy.

I have never lost a baby, and I think I thought I was somehow immune to it.

I had a follow up on the 19th and Dr Grose explained to me the possibility of this having adverse effects on me or the other baby. He said to watch for a fever, bleeding or cramping. After he called and spoke with a specialist, however, most of those fears were put to rest. The perinatologist said there was less than a 5% chance of additional complications arising from this.

As it was a very emotional time for all of us, I am sticking mostly to the facts and staying light on the personal comments.

My measurements today were:
137 Pounds
32" Across Belly Button
35 1/2" Across Hip Bone

I have suddenly started growing FAST. I do not love this awkward period when you start to fill out but the belly is not round and defined so you just look like you are getting chubby. A few more weeks and I will be into what I call the 'Honeymoon' stage of pregnancy. The part where you are showing just enough to be adorable, but not uncomfortable.

Twins - 13 Weeks

I have definitely felt a little bit of movement in the last few days. It seems really early to be saying that but the more I think about it, there is twice as much movement happening in there so it seems logical that I would start to notice it a few weeks earlier.

I am now mostly over the morning sickness. Smells still get to me and I still get nauseous if I get too tired or don't get enough sleep at night, but I do not just expect to wake up sick every morning like before.

Developmental calendar says the babies are 3 inches long and weight approximately 1 ounce.

My measurements today were:
135.6 Pounds
31" Across Belly Button
35" Across Hip Bone

I gained half a pound as well as a half inch on my lower belly in the last week. Sounds good to me compared to some of the blogs I have found of other women who are carrying twins :)

I picked up 2 new maternity tank tops from Old Navy yesterday while I was out school shopping with my kids. I wasn't planning to buy a whole lot of new stuff until I reached the point at the end when I started getting bigger than before, but the maternity clothes have come sooo far in the last several years. There are new cute and comfy styles coming out all the time. It used to be that if you were pregnant you had to wear teddy bears and look like a house. Now the tops are ruched and form fitting to show off your bump and not hang loose underneath.

I am fine and in good spirits all day long, but then when I lay down in bed at night I usually spend a few minutes freaking out about how big I am going to get and how uncomfortable I will be. I sure hope I do ok. Little Eden has a big attitude and keeping up with her through this scares me sometimes. At least I wont start getting big until summer is over and I don't have to worry about yard work anymore. I also worry sometimes about the delivery because I know that 2 babies means there is an increased chance of complications that can lead to a c-section.

Twins - 12 Weeks

NO SHOW?! I am very surprised. I had wondered how much earlier I would start showing with the twins than what I normally do with a single baby, and 12 weeks was what I had guessed. Well guess what? I may not have a perfectly flat tummy, but I am smaller now than I have been in a few years. I can only begin to see a real baby bump if I lay flat on my back on an empty stomach and try to suck in. Everything moves inward except the cute tiny little spot under my belly button. I can cover it with the palm of one hand. Soon enough though, that will be just a memory :)

The pregnancy developmental calendar says the babies are each nearly 2.5 inches long. That means if you include the sacks, I basically have 2 soft balls floating around in there already.

My measurements today were:
135 Pounds
31" Right Across the Belly Button
34 1/2" Across the Hip Bones

I was definitely sick a lot longer this time, and I swear I have been nearly twice as tired as normal. Thankfully I have been feeling a lot better these last few days. Maybe that is why I am finally getting around to blogging.

I am done with my shots and I have been completely released from the care of the IVF clinic. I am now just a normal pregnant woman. Well... I guess I will be monitored closer since there are two little peanuts in there this time.

My first OB visit with my regular doctor is August 17th- the same day my kids start school. That worked out pretty well.

I may as well put in my 2 cents now. IT IS A BOY AND A GIRL. Because I said so. I have never been wrong yet, so remember that I said so. Lol.

Oh and last but not least.........HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARGIE!!!

Long overdue DELIVERY update.....Plus some new news!

Wow I cannot believe I never returned to finish this story. I guess life happens, right?

Beautiful baby Marcella was born December 22nd, 2010. She weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces, and was 21 inches long. She had a head full of dark hair and looked just like her dad. I have a huge amount of pictures from during and after the delivery but this is my absolute favorite. This moment was bittersweet because it marked the end of our time together and the beginning of Marcella's entire life. I will always remember her just like this.

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And now the exciting new news.... We are going another round! I just went in for the embryo transfer a few days ago on June 5th. I am definitely thinking twins this time, and I know the parents believe the same thing.

In-vitro is fun...

The 2 embryos that were transferred

36 Weeks

Development calendar says:

"I'm around 19 inches tall, weigh over 6 pounds and gain more than half an ounce each day!"

If that weight gain is close to correct, I am putting my guess in at right around 8 pounds for her birth weight. We will find out pretty soon....

I can't even believe how close we are. Going off of the 16th as the day they will induce me, we only have 20 more days to go. I guess it is possible that we have less than that, but I don't think I will go into labor early. I have made all the arrangements for my children to be tended, but I guess I should really pack a hospital bag just in case. I also need to teach Jason how to hand feed my baby cockatiels. I have 7 unweaned babies right now that he will have to care for while I spend a night or so in the hospital. That should prove to be interesting.

Marcella is quickly running out of room in my tummy. I am still measuring 41.5 inches around, which is the same as 4 weeks ago, but I know she is growing like a weed. When she is awake and moving my stomach rolls and twitches very visibly, and when I am in public I always wonder if anyone else notices.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, and I didn't think I ate TOO much, but apparently I was wrong. I was stuffed and uncomfortable for hours. There just is not a whole lot of room for food in there these days with all that baby.

34 Weeks

I finally did the 3D ultrasound on the 13th. It was amazing. It was estimated that she already weighs 5.83 pounds. That should put to rest any fears about inducing labor a week early. The whole experience was great. The entire session was burned to a DVD. In it you can see so many cute things. She had the hiccups half of the time, and once she gave a great big yawn. At one point it even looked like she was turning her head to try to suck on something that came near her face. What a sweet little doll. I cannot wait to mail the DVD to her mom and dad.

Look at those cheeks!

33 Weeks

Development calendar says:

"Baby is about 4.75 pounds and almost 18 inches tall. Her central nervous system is still maturing. Only 46 days to go."

I had to cancel my appointment for the 3D ultrasound last month because of a family event. I am rescheduled for this Saturday the 13th and I can't wait. At 34 weeks gestation, she should be fairly filled out and look almost the same as she will when she is born. Plus, they will be able to tell me a fairly accurate length and weight.

I cannot believe how close we are now. I need to pack a hospital bag, and I need to get with Margie and make sure all my phone numbers are updated just in case. I don't ever think about the what-ifs, but last week a friend of mine who was supposed to be due in January had her baby at 29 weeks gestation. The little girl is fine, but she was 3 pounds 2 ounces. That was a big eye opener.

If I am induced on Thursday the 16th, that means Jason will only have to take 1 day off of work. He is off on Fridays anyway, and since I can go home from the hospital and sleep as long as I want to, I should be fine to take care of my own kids by the following Monday.

My next OB check ups are November 15th and November 29th. After that I will be going in once a week until delivery.