Earth Day has come and gone.....

So my much anticipated, much talked about, much believed day of delivery has come and gone. I am beyond happy I have surpassed 36 weeks. I just didn't see it happening, but damn do I have one iron uterus afterall. Based on Tuesday's appointment there is no change in dilation, still stuck at 2cm,  but the contractions are still coming. I feel real crampy today and Finn's butt is so far under my rib I can feel him in my back.


One of my very crunchie VT nurses told me maybe I can have Arbor day babies instead. She is the same women who has tried to convince me to grind up the boys placentas and scatter them over my much neglected garden. Sorry maybe for some, but I have a weak stomach for guts and gore, not too mention using my mixer?? HUH?


Anyway, I am scheduled for a C-section May 6th. I am hopeful that nature will take its course before modern medicine, but nonetheless I have a date on the calendar. I had Thai last night, a very sweaty mani and pedi experience and also a great accupressure/massage. Here is to Full Term Twins!

False Alarm Numero Uno

My 35th week began with a trip to the L&D. I was up all night last Wednesday with cramps and nausea and by Thursday afternoon I was counting contractions about ten minutes apart. Once my husband was home we decided it was best to head on in to see what was going on.

At first my contractions were coming on pretty fierce, but they subsided after some fluids. I am still dilated at 2cm but a tad more effaced at 90%. We had a rather interesting nurse who at one point told us to "wrap our heads around the fact that I would be delivering that night", while I swallowed my vomit she left us for 30 minutes only to return with a doc who found no cervical change. Of course she apologized up and down for freaking us out. I guess I was contracting so much that she figured things were progressing. I just wish contractions always meant dilation. Needless to say I was anxious to get home and into my own bed.

I am now on a strict bedrest. Strict bedrest rules are not exactly easy for me. I really want to clean the floorboards (again). Instead I am sinking further into the couch watching Swamp Loggers, Deadliest Catch and Lifetime. It's not the same doing this on a Sunday when you are pregnant and not hungover :)

Dilating, Contracting, Cankles Oh my!

Today we began the series of biophysical exams and non-stress tests, both little dudes passed with flying colors. I am about 2cm dilated and 80% effaced at this point. I wish that my doc had a crystal ball that told me how much longer, but reality is that I could stay this way for another 2 weeks. I still have Earth Day as the day in my head though and well so far I have been pretty much on target with things. I am happy to hear that things are progressing though. I am just so uncomfortable that even the simplest tasks are getting difficult, like drying my hair:)

In the last week I was introduced to serious water retention. I have hamburger helper hands and a neck like a linebacker. I feel like a water buffalo with one big mass of boob melting into a belly. Contractions are getting a bit stronger but no pattern. This is my last week of work as I am now on a modified bedrest. This Thursday marks my 35th week. I have cankles galore and even my flip flops don't fit very well. I am having a hard time even typing since my knuckles are like a gorilla's.

I have succumbed to the fact that a C-section is 95% likely. I am trying to swallow my disappointment but I must admit I am totally bummed. Will is still head down but his bro is breech. With Finn being the bigger of the two little Will won't be able to "pave the way" for his brother and it is likely Finn will get stuck. Then I would ultimately end up with a c-section anyway. I just don't like the idea of not being able to hold them right away or have some control. Instead my hands will be strapped down. My mom and sister won't be able to be there either which puts tears in my eyes as I type. I saw my nephews born with my mother and I wanted them there so badly. My husband and I were hopeful that he would be able to place them on my chest and to cut the umblical cords as well. We are just happy that we are so lucky but towards the end you do spend a lot of time wishing you had a tad more rule. I know with twins this birth plan is more likley to happen in a field in Bulgaria then a Level III hospital but I did have my dream. As long as they are healthy and come out kicking I can deal with yet another scar and a longer recovery.

It's Taco Tuesday and my boys are hungry. Until next time. Ciao Sisters

Brooke

Operation Nursery- 94% complete

I feel like a blowfish/oompa loompa. In fact I feel like I am going to explode at any moment! I just can't wait. We are so excited. We even packed the dudes hospital bag and picked out their going home outfits! Birth plan complete, even if there are three versions. We found our Mrs. Doubtfire for the boys and their bassinet is all ready for their two little bodies. Yes I am in full nesting mode.

I feel blessed that I have had a pretty good pregnancy other than just feeling like I do towards the end. My last OB appointment was Monday and my cervix is softening up like a fat kid. Not that it means much but my doc thinks I have about 2-3 weeks left. I am 33 weeks today. No change in dilation. Lots of contraction and intermittent cramping. Baby A, also known as William Dillon Thomas is head down and right above my pubic bone. I have that lovely heavy feeling and dropping sensation. I have to pee almost every ten minutes. Baby B, aka Finnegan Bennett Thomas is in an awkard "transverse oblique position". I think of them as ying and yang :) I still have room at the top of my uterus but I am growing more wide than upward. I waddle but hey no stretch marks! I love you Bio-oil.

My parents came up last weekend to help decorate the nursery. I am so happy with the way it came out. I have quite the handy husband. He ripped up the old carpet, put in wood floors, added wainscotting and fresh paint. I am just so relieved that the big parts are complete. Even if the two littles will be in our room in the beginning, it feels good to get stuff put away and organized. It is the one thing I feel like I have control over. The rest will hopefully fall into place and by that I mean both head first. We just need to put up the window treatments, more wall decor and then await the arrival of the dudes.

I caved and bought a Prenatal Cradle. It looks medieval but it really works!! My back is really bothering me and last week I tumbled head first into my closet. I grabbed at my clothes to help break my fall and ended up swaying back and forth until I could get my balance. I didn't realize how top heavy I really am. It was priceless, definitely Oscar worthy.