Twins - 31 weeks

We've made it a week out of the hospital! I am so grateful for that. I was released on Sunday July 27. 

I'm figuring out how to manage my blood pressure better. Literally, I  can't move. Trips to the bathroom are it. And taking a nap during the day. If I am really good at strict bed rest, we can manage my blood pressure. By the end of the day it's usually getting really high, but after a nights sleep it is back to manageable. 

I saw the doctor on Monday (8-4) and had my labs drawn. I haven't heard back from them, so I'm hoping that means they came back mostly unchanged. I have non stress tests done twice weekly, and will have labs drawn as well. In addition to seeing the doctor weekly. I feel like I am always at the IHC hospital with all these visits, but it is SO MUCH BETTER than being admitted. 

The doctor feels pretty certain they will induce me at 34 weeks. It is possible I will be able to go a little longer (longest being 37 weeks), but considering my health at this point it is unlikely.

They will give me another round (2 shots) of steroids before they induce me at 34 weeks for the twins' lung development.

I am so grateful we've made it this last week with little incident. Such a blessing. And I am grateful for all those who have brought meals and support. 

My sisters and mom threw a baby shower for me on Saturday, and that was so nice. It was so nice to have a reason to get out of the house (I'm going more than a little stir crazy on bed rest) and they did such a nice job with all the decorations and games and food. It was nice to see so many friends and we got very spoiled. We got some things we really need, which is a huge blessing for our family.

The twins are getting bigger. I'm feeling them more and stronger. They really are the worst at showing their daddy love. As soon as he puts his hand on my stomach, they stop kicking and moving. The poor guy really hasn't felt much this whole pregnancy. The other night as we were going to bed Loki was kicking quite a bit, and I told Trev and he put his hand on my stomach - and she immediately stopped. Like always. Little butt!! So he laid his hand across my stomach, holding me. A couple minutes later, Loki decided she had had enough of him invading her space (his arm was draped across my stomach) and she started kicking up a storm up and down his arm. It was so funny. She won't kick if she knows someone is paying attention, but if you invade her space for too long she won't have it. As soon as he removed his arm, she stopped kicking. 

Every time I go for a non stress test, Loki's heart rate is amazing. She gets tons of fluctuations. She is all over the place. She is also the one I feel all the time. Thor is usually asleep when I go in - which means they have to use this horrible little buzzer to buzz by his head to wake him up. I hate when they have to do this. This last NST, Thor was asleep as usual. They buzzed him, and his heart rate spiked and he hid. They had to pull out the ultrasound and find him again. He was already asleep again. So they had to buzz him again. He finally woke up and they got the heart rate spikes they needed and we could go.

This little man is just like his daddy. He rarely kicks me (he does, however, creep into my ribs and make it so I can't get comfortable or breathe) and he sleeps a lot. He's so chill. Loki on the other hand is always moving, always kicking me, and is never asleep for our NSTs. She's always awake and moving.

She's been head down this entire pregnancy, in my cervix. Especially as we've gotten closer to our due date, this little girl hasn't budged from my cervix. During my second hospital visit, they gave me my first round of steroids. They did a NST with ultrasound after, and Loki had moved out of my uterus and was cuddling with Thor, their heads together. The next ultrasound and every one since she's been back in my cervix. I think the steroid shot or the NST (it was my first one) or they could tell I was upset (I was being admitted to the hospital), whatever it was, they needed each other. They cuddled head to head. She hasn't budged from cervix before or after, so I have to think one of those factors stressed them and they needed each other. So darn cute.

My mom and Mikail and Little Bob have been so helpful this pregnancy, helping with meals and setting up the nursery and going through clothes and unpacking from this move. All these things that need to be done and I should be doing but can't. I am so grateful to them. We have things pretty ready for the twins. On Sunday night Trev put together the stroller his parents got us, and the bassinet. My parents got us our car seats, so we have the essentials. 

I can't believe they will most likely be here in just under 3 weeks. HOLY COW! I am SOOOOO ready to not be pregnant any more. To not have preeclampsia. To be able to go on a walk! But at the same time, 34 weeks seems so early and I am freaked out about having them so early. 

We have our next sizing ultrasound next week on Tuesday, so we will see how much these guys weigh now. Weight has a huge role in how they do after birth.

Well, thats the current update. Trying to keep my preeclampsia under control so I can make it to 34 weeks, unless some miracle happens and we make it longer.

Love,

Brittney