Tuesday evening we had our fourth prenatal, Twins & Triplets class. The class was about postpartum challenges and how life will be changing, mentally and physically. I find the prenatal classes very helpful and enjoy learning all about what we can expect. Also I like when others in the class ask questions as most of the time I am wondering the same things myself. There are twelve couples, with twenty-four babies in the class. The other couples we sit near are very nice and it's fun to chat with them, especially since they understand exactly what we're experiencing. This week the class started an email group to keep in touch.
Wednesday, early afternoon, we went to see the OB. Phil's been at every ultrasound since week 8, but hadn't come along to the OBs office yet as there really wasn't much to see. This was his first time there. This week we asked Dr.Chang questions about our delivery and let her know our birth plans, what we wanted and what we wanted to avoid if possible. The appointment went well and we were checked by a medical student. She did her best to listen to the babies' heartbeats and then she measured my belly, which normally isn't done with twins, but I let her as I was curious what I was measuring. I hope that she learned something from talking with us. My BP was still low to normal at 110/78 and my belly now measures 41 weeks! I love my belly.
Wednesday evening we drove back to Foothills for a panel discussion class, held by the Twins, Triplets & More Association of Calgary(or TTMAC for short). Two families with four month old babies (twin identical girls and twin fraternal boys) presented what their experiences have been caring for twins. It was interesting to hear from the new parents on all kinds of topics. They spoke about things to buy/not bother buying, sleeping, feedings, birth experiences and a bunch of other twins tips. We will now be using an ipad app to track our babies feedings and changes. We found a cup holder to attach to our City Select stroller and will be buying it soon. (Phil will be so happy! Starbucks here they come!) The best part of the class was just listening to how the parents were coping with the challenges of having two babies. I think we learned a lot of useful information.
Friday, early afternoon, (our first ultrasound appointment which wasn't plunk right smack in the middle of the morning rush hour! - yet still during a snowstorm..) we got another glimpse at our cubs. I love seeing them. We don't often get good images of their faces, so what they look like will be a surprise to us when they're born. I know we are very spoiled in that we get to see them so often. Every two weeks like clockwork now. We've talked about possible future pregnancies and how if we have a singleton we'll be feeling slightly in the dark, as normally you'd only get two ultrasounds total! The excitement is building and we only have approximately 7-8 more weeks to go!
The ultrasound went great. No more photos from here on out, so now you'll have to wait until they're born to see them! The babies have moved slightly from a vertical separation between them to more of a diagonal across my belly. Baby Girl is tucked on the bottom, still head down! (Good baby girl! Please stay that way.) Baby Boy is more on the top and he's the one I feel the most movement from. Also.. they have big heads.. Thanks to Phil, or perhaps thanks to my mother's side of the family. Either way I'm preparing myself for some extra pain at delivery.
Baby Girl is now measuring 1497g(3lbs 5oz) and she gained almost an entire pound in two weeks! Baby Boy is measuring 1649g(3lbs 10oz) and he also gained nearly a pound! (Good babies.) The technician also did one last internal ultrasound to check my cervix. Anything 2 cm or less and they begin to worry that delivery may be near, in which case they'll give you steroid shots to help the babies' lungs mature faster. Our number went back up again! We're measuring over 4.6cm which they said is quite long. Also, completely closed, so the technician figures that delivery is farther off for us and she joked that we may be needing induction at week 38. One can hope. My BP was the lowest it's been so far at 102/64. All good news! C'mon 6lb healthy babies, Jan 8-11th.. perhaps I can will it to happen...
I'm feeling more and more pushing/kicking movements in my belly. I love it. I feel the cubs wiggling around almost the entire day now, and feel bigger kicks 2-4 times a day where we can actually watch my belly moving. I call Phil over to feel them multiple times per day. I don't want him to miss a thing or feel left out at all. He doesn't understand how important he is in this puzzle, but I try to let him know. I'm more in love with him than ever. It's so beautiful to watch our tiny cubs moving. I'm sure I will spend a lot of my time just staring at our kids once they're born. I still can't get over what a miracle this truly is.
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| 30 weeks according to OB, measuring 41 weeks |
This weekend we may hit a Christmas craft market or two (depending on how far I can manage to walk), buy some decorations/baking and then take it easy. I also have a bi-weekly massage scheduled for Sunday, which will just be heaven..
