Oof! This is the first moment I am getting to myself since I was admitted 3 days ago. Lots of blood work & shots & ultrasounds & NSTs (Non-Stress Tests). I just had my first flu shot; I was reluctant but, they give the dead virus version to pregnant women, and the antibodies my body will build pass along to the babies, so when they are born (which is Flu Season), they are covered too. I had my round of steroid shots yesterday & today, then they will probably do another round of it in a few weeks. The steroids sting like a bee but are incredibly important in helping mature the babies' lungs. Since we know they will be preemie ballerinas, taking preventative steps like that are crucial. I'm happy to get them!
I want to explain about NSTs because it is a big part of my inpatient stay. They are monitoring sessions that observe the babies' heart rates as well as whether or not I am having contractions. It is a very common test that all mommies of multiples must have done, but when you are high risk, it has to be done every day. I am currently having it done 2x a day until I am put on continuous monitoring. They are looking for one good, solid strip of 20 minutes. They are looking for a certain number of accelerations; for example, the heart rate must drop to say, 140 then in a certain amount of time go up 10 beats--this must be done a few times by both baby. Ideally, since they are looking for a 20 minute strip, this would only take 20 minutes and we'd all be on with our day. But when the monitor loses contact with the baby, the entire process has to start over. You can imagine it takes a bit of time, and is very unpredictable.
I have only been here 3 days but with the exception of once, they have actually had to bring in a bedside ultrasound machine to help locate the baby's hearts for the monitors. They have been termed "lovey dovey". Very often they put them on their separate monitors, and then the machine will start displaying the exact same number for each; in reality, it's only picking up one of their hearts. With a little help of the ultrasound machine, we discover they are actually causing trouble in the cutest way imaginable--they are in there HUGGING! Ow, my heart. I love them so much already.
The twins are very active all the time. No matter the time of day or whether or not I have just eaten. I admit it's a bit uncomfortable being poked and prodded and laying on my back while they sigh at the monitors. Yes, it would be nice to have it done in just 20 minutes. But you know what? I wouldn't trade them being active for anything in the world. When a baby is active, it means they have a really great oxygen flow in there. That's why it is so important to call your doctor if you notice decreases fetal movement; when we lose oxygen, we tighten up and don't want to move, we want to conserve our energy. Smart babies!
This is my NST belly:
Luckily, I was placed in a private room my first night & I'll be in this room until it's getting closer to baby time (which will still be private, but continuous monitoring is done on Labor & Delivery's floor. I'm in the antepartum unit currently). The room is pretty spacious & it's nice because my husband can stay over since it's private (one of the chairs converts to a bed). The other side of the floor's room views are of the river, and have faster WiFi, but none of that really matters. *secret pout*
I do like my room, though.
Outside my window I have a lot of blue sky & a rather large rock garden going on.
And sometimes when I'm lucky I get really cute, really sleepy visitors.
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Yesterday & today I was sent upstairs to have ultrasounds done on more sophisticated machines than the portable ones they use to just check on them while I am in my room. Both of them showed they are doing great. I am about to have my nightly NST done. I have been waiting for the neonatologist to come speak with me about the risks that come along when a baby is born at each gestational week.
They are having me think of this:
If one baby starts suffering, do you want to let them die so that the other twin has a chance at a longer time in utero?
To me, this is an absolute no brainer. They gave me the option of coming in between 24-28 weeks because babies are viable at 24 weeks. I chose 26 weeks because after the research I did, that is when I would feel comfortable with an emergent intervention. By being admitted, I am committed to their safety 100%. In my eyes, if one is in distress, then they are BOTH in distress, Not to mention, I have been educated about mono-mono babies and the fact is, if one baby passes, there is a high chance that you will lose the other one too. This happens because it sends a flood of nutrients to the other baby and causes the second twin to go into heart failure. At any rate...I think it is really important to talk to the neonatologist, and I am looking forward to being fully educated by a specialist in person about it further, but again, to me it is a no brainer. Thankfully, they are looking great & everyone knows the goal is try to get them to 34 weeks as planned; while this pregnancy is very unpredictable, they ARE hopeful about it.
I understand they have to ask it & have to discuss it because otherwise they are liable, it is just jarring. The doctor with the most experience out of the team is just like Scrubs' Dr. Bob Kelso.
But just like Bob Kelso, I am betting anything he's just like this deep down, too:
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I have been meeting pretty much the whole staff. Today I met with my new nutritionist. She thinks I am gaining at the right pace but I have to politely disagree. I want to gain (healthy weight) for the girls because they are going to be preemie ballerinas. Anyway, seeing I was concerned, she gave me a 3 page long list of all the food options they offer and said I can make notes on my menu (when you stay in a hospital, you circle items off a menu each day of what you want) and they will bring it along with what I chose for the tray. I will definitely be doing this, especially since there is a fridge in my room and I can stock up so I'm not out of luck when I'm randomly hungry. But today's food wasn't too bad, among the normal stuff with Breakfast, they sent along a couple warm fresh apple crepes, and my salad they sent for my lunch was this:
But shhh, don't tell anyone who visits me because then they won't pity me and bring me awesome stuff like this cheesecake my husband brought last night:
Or this awesome brownie my dad brought me this afternoon:
My dad and baby boy keeping me company today:
I'm sure it's not easy on my dad taking on caring for a toddler around the clock, but he is a sweet little boy ...& is still alive so it's a step in the right direction. ;)
I'm off to start my NST!
