Today, I am 27 weeks pregnant. With twins, the normal gestational pregnancy is 37 weeks which means, it would be fantastic if these babies decided to stay put until July 1st, 2011. The first three months of pregnancy were normal, but rough, and most of you who are close to me know that I spent most of the winter very sick. In February I went in for a cervical check, (for those of you who have no idea what that means, just keep in mind that a normal cervical length is between 3 and 3.5 cm up until close to delivery.) My cervical length in February was a 2.8, short, but not a huge concern. The doctors don't tend to worry until about a 2.5. I was told to take it easy, I could still work, I just couldn't go walk the mall or do anything overly strenuous. Not a problem. Well, that held out until March 21st.
March 21st, I went in for a cervical length check and found that in two weeks my cervix had shortened over a centimeter, it was now 1.87 cm. My doctor sent me straight to Rockford Memorial to be monitored for contractions and the next day I had a cerclage (a surgical procedure in which a band of strong thread is stitched around the cervix and then tightened to hold the cervix closed) put into place. I was then ordered that for the rest of the pregnancy, I was to be on modified bed rest and off work. Later that week, I also found out that I needed to take my three hour glucose test, to check for gestational diabetes. Ugh, yuck. One good thing did happen that week, I got to see my lil' babes in a 4-D ultrasound which was amazing. It's a toss up of who Lena looks like, Liam was a lil' bit stubborn and we only got a sideshot of his face.
The following week, I took my three hour glucose test (God awful in case you're wondering, not only do you get to drink stuff that tastes like crap after fasting for 12 hours, you get poked with a needle FOUR times! Ugh!) I passed it very borderline, with a 144 (cut off is 140, crap!) Not only is there an elevated risk for gestational diabetes with twins, I also have polycystic ovary syndrome which doubles your risk of it also.
Okay, so now that you are up to speed, if you are still with me that is! Sunday was my baby shower, it was great and we got a lot of great stuff (so thanks to all those who came to support me and our babies!) Afterwards, I started feeling some contractions. I went into RMH and left a couple hours later with contractions under control. I was also given my first round of steroids for the babies' lungs as a precaution in case they do some early. Monday, I went in to be checked and get the booster shot of the steroids and my cervix had shortened drastically. With pressure, I had 1 cm left, NOT GOOD. I was also having contractions every 3-6 minutes. *Sigh* The doctor sent me straight back to RMH and told me I would be there a couple days. Monday was the day from hell, poked, prodded, examined, it was horrible. I was put on a magnesium sulfate IV drip to get the contractions to stop. Tuesday, they took me off of it because I wasn't handling it well and put me back on my contraction meds at a higher dose. Wednesday, I showed some signs of improvement and was sent home on my meds, but told that I was only to get off the couch or out of bed to use the bathroom and for a quick shower. But I got to go home.
Today, I went back in for a follow up, and my doctor was happy with today. My cervix got a little bit of length back, now about 1.4 cm with pressure and in the posterior position. She sent me back home with the direction of doing what I'm doing (which is a whole lot of nothing) and call if anything changes. I go back next Thursday for a three hour appointment for my redo of my 3 hr glucose test, my 28 week growth ultrasound (yay! Can't wait to see how big the little buggers have gotten in the past month), to be monitored for contractions, and for a cervical check (not fun).
So! There we are, you are up to speed! I appreciate all the calls and texts from family and friends, and prayers you all have sent our way. Our next goal is 28 weeks, then 30, then 32, then 34.. My lil' kickers just need to keep cookin'!!
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