34 weeks-I think I can, I think I can...

This week is testing my ability to think positive. I've been able to do this for my entire pregnancy, not worry and be grateful. I'm just very uncomfortable right now with 10 or more pounds of baby inside me, one of whom has his entire head in my rib cage! But I WILL make it to 36 weeks (or more) no matter how uncomfortable I get, I know I can do this!!!

I was at the doctor on Monday and I am now 2 cm. dilated and 50% effaced. I've been 50% effaced for three weeks now and my dilation has increased .5 cm each week. In the prego world this is little progress, which is fine by me at this point. My doctor doesn't think I'll make it to my 38 week scheduled C-section on 2/23 but she doesn't see why I won't make it to 36 weeks (2/8). After 36 weeks they will be monitoring me very closely and any little change will be cause for them to deliver the babies. My goal was 37 weeks but I will be happy with 36. So it could be less than two weeks from now that we have a family of 4!

Meanwhile, I'm busily preparing for maternity leave at work. I'm trying not to get stressed about anything at work, after all, I'm leaving my job in good hands. Honestly, I probably won't think about anything at work while I'm gone. I don't intend on going back this school year, except to visit my co-workers. I actually don't feel bad about any of this, I'm happy to make the boys my priority!

Will update again next week...

The nursery

34 weeks

End of 33 Weeks

This past Monday was my third weekly appointment and I'm now measuring 39 cm. (that's up 2 cm from the week prior). I'm still 1 cm. dilated and slightly thinned but nothing to write home about. The OB told me she would like to see me make it to 36 weeks (my goal was 37) and that ultimately they will look for any small sign that it's time after 36 weeks.

We had a growth ultrasound on Thursday and found out our boys both weigh 5 lbs. each!! That was amazing news and we really feel good about it! Pea A is now breech and Pea B is now head down. Guess they can't make up their minds! Oh well, C-section it is for me. It's getting really difficult to distinguish body parts on the ultrasound screen because they are so squished in there, it's amazing what 4 weeks does. At this point most of the weight I will gain will go to them, which is fine by me! It seems since I was told that I was carrying 10 lbs. of baby I actually feel heavier in the stomach. Weird!

I've been feeling pretty good but within the past 24 hours I got a little worried because my Braxton Hick's contractions started picking up. I ended up calling the doctor today because I experienced more than 6 an hour on several occasions from last night into today. She wasn't worried because I told her I wasn't experiencing any pain, they weren't regular, and there was nothing but pressure. It's just I'm having them more often. She just wanted me to rest for a couple hours and monitor them to make sure they weren't more than Braxton Hick's. I'm so glad she didn't want me to go to the hospital, that would have worried me a little. I just want to take each week as it comes and be thankful. I will do whatever it takes to keep these babies cooking for a few more weeks.

Because I've had to rest all day (tough job, I know-but if you know me you know this kills me), Peter has been doing lots around the house to prepare for babies. He put the bases in our cars and the car seats are out of the box and ready to go. He also put the pack n play together and cleaned both of our cars. He still doesn't have a hospital bag packed yet, but everything we needed to get finished around the house is now done! Thank goodness I have an AMAZING husband!

31 weeks: Cue the weekly doctor appointments

I went to the doctor on Monday and everything is continuing to go great. My blood pressure is excellent as is my weight. My OB measured my uterine growth and I'm now measuring at 35 centimeters. I was told at 24 weeks that she would continue to measure me every two weeks and when I hit 36 centimeters I would need to come in weekly for cervical checks. Well, that time has come! I have to go every week for the remainder of my pregnancy and she will continue to measure me as well as do internal checks to determine if I am dilating. While I was in the office she used the portable ultrasound machine to check heartbeats and placement. Pea A is still head down and Pea B is still transverse. Both were practicing their breathing this time...yay! So, our next growth scan ultrasound is January 21st and I will continue to go weekly (every Monday).

30 weeks and thankful

Now comes the time where I just keep counting each week as a blessing that I've made it this far with no complications. The boys are healthy and growing strong. At our appointment a week ago Pea A was 2 lbs. 14 oz. and Pea B was an even 3 lbs. Pea A is head down and Pea B is transverse. Pea B was also practicing his breathing as the tech pointed out. His diaphragm kept opening and closing, which was so cool to see on the ultrasound. The doctor was very pleased with my progress and with everything related to the boys. My blood pressure was excellent, fluid looked good, and I feel good. Acid reflux is my only issue and I've just been dealing with it. I will continue to go to the OB every 2 weeks for a check-up. My next appointment is January 4th.

Lately the boys are moving a lot, which tells me they are beginning to get cramped. Pea A has been very active, even more than I remember just a few weeks ago. I just hope they stay comfortable in there because I would really like to keep them there until mid February. We have a C-section tentatively scheduled for February 16th, which is 37 weeks. I'm happy to continue to carry them past that point if my OB will let me.

Our Christmas was very nice. Peter got me a pregnancy massage at the Pregnancy Spa and Imaging Center in Mason and I intend to use it in the next couple of weeks. I think it will relax me and maybe help with some of my back pain. But really, we already had everything we could possibly want for Christmas-these babies. We can't wait for next Christmas when we'll have two little ones crawling and moving around.