35 Weeks

The Twins and I at 35 Weeks...

Welp, we have made it to a milestone. Our OB told us that 32 weeks brings a better point in the pregnancy where the babies would have a greater chance of less complications etc. 34 weeks was the next major step. When we got to that point last week our Perinatologist (high risk doctor) said that they want us to get to 34 weeks to pat us on the back and tell us we better hang on longer. :)

Annaka hugging the twins at 35 weeks....

Some of the big concerns besides the typical 'preemie' concerns have to do with how gestational diabetes interacts with lungs and growth. Even though all of the medical professionals we have seen have commented on how big our babies are and how that is a great thing....they also comment on how since I have gestational diabetes the babies lungs could develop a little slower than normal. Big babies, slower developing lungs....we want them to hang in there a bit longer!

Our OB said that she typically sees twins born at the 35 week mark spend an average of 2 weeks in the NICU.....whereas she sees this drop to an average of 4-6 hours if we can make it to 36 weeks! In her words, after 36 weeks I can get off bedrest (if possible to move at that point) and mow the lawn, go shopping, etc. Right now I can barely walk so I am not thinking I will be up and about too much....even after next Thursday.

Front View

Good Intentions

Yes, still catching up....

Thanksgiving brought interesting emotions. I took my first glucose test of this pregnancy the day before Thanksgiving. I was thankful I would not get my results until after so that I could enjoy....well as much as you can when still nauseous...one big family meal. At least I enjoyed some side dishes and desserts without loosing my cookies.

I tried convincing the OB and her staff that I knew I would have gestational diabetes and to just forgo the nasty, nauseating testing and just give me the finger poker and send me to the dietitian. Sadly, insurance wont work that way and wants the testing and paperwork. I had gestational diabetes when pregnant with Annaka which puts me at a higher risk to have it when other pregnancies. On top of that a very high percentage of twin pregnancies are paired with gestational diabetes as well. And on top of that there is a very large family history of diabetes so I knew it would be 100% that we would be down this path.

When pregnant with Annaka I could control my sugars via diet. Not so this time. Even with diet changes it was impossible for me to control. Two placentas wreak more havoc than one I guess. Thankful for medicine this time to help. Each week of gestational diabetes is difficult for different reasons. The first couple weeks because you dont know what you can eat, your constantly hungry and all of this stirs up many many many emotions. The last few weeks you are sick of the 5 foods you have stuck with and know wont rise your sugars. Looking forward to this leaving!

Other Thanksgiving events....swelling like never before. Around Thanksgiving I had to finally make the decision that my swelling was only going to get worse and have my rings cut off. What a sad day. I cried before going...by myself...then Annaka cried the day they were cut off. We were walking out of the jewelry shop and she whimpered "I don't like it when you don't have your rings on Mommy"....so we immediately walked two shops down and had ice cream. Thank you Mely's for cheering us both up a bit.

Lastly,  Good Intentions...Do you remember This Post post?  Last year we made a Nativity Calendar with scripture in each pocket. It was a good way to talk specifically about different aspects of Christmas and Christ's birth...and it was a great interest to neighbors and friends who would come to visit. This year on the other hand was a completely different story. Intentions were there, a Nativity Calendar was made and hung up but it was never completed. The numbers did not get on the pockets, the pockets did not get filled and the daily readings were not had. Tiredness, soreness, and not feeling the greatest won. Oh and this has not only been the Nativity Calendar....many things have been thrown to the wind these days. It was sewn and hung...incomplete.

Belly Catch Up...

Wow, have I really not posted since arriving in the states? I guess there is no hiding and a lot to say to catch up. Maybe this should just be a photo catch up post of belly shots....more details and thoughts in posts to come.

22.5 Weeks pregnant with twins....

24.5 Weeks pregnant with twins...

26 Weeks pregnant with twins....

28 Weeks pregnant with twins

I did not get a photo taken at 30 weeks so one will be taken tomorrow at 31 weeks. I guess that only shows how little gets done.