After a morning of contractions between 4 and 10 minutes apart and 1 shot of Terbutaline things are finally starting to settle down a bit. Dr. Hutton just left after checking my cervix, thankfully things haven't changed too much. I am not dilated, however more effacing (softening) has occurred. Last night Dr. Carpenter could actually feel Zachary's head when checking my cervix, he is hanging out so low.
So for now all of my current meds are at their maximum levels. If this doesn't hold out we will continue to do the Terb shots as needed and as a last resort we can use Indomethacin. Sloan and I are reluctant to try Indomethacin because of the potential negative effects it could have on the boys kidneys and hearts. If we do end up on Indomethacin it will only be used for a max of 5 days.
The boys were monitored this morning and they are doing great, they are still just as active as ever and continue to be unaware of what is going on. We will keep you updated as things progress.
I am going to try and get some rest this afternoon, needless to say I didn't sleep great last night.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Ups and Downs
Well...we have had quite a few ups and downs since I last wrote. I have been having a lot more contractions. My meds have been increased and I was given a shot last night and this morning, but the shots don't seem to relax things as well as they used to. I have also been having some round ligament pain (the round ligament supports the uterus and it gets stretched beyond belief as the uterus grows...very painful) which when coupled with the contractions, makes getting comfortable very hard. It seems that just when I have found a position that is comfortable, it is time to check vital signs and reflexes, or I have to go to the bathroom. I catch myself wishing that this pregnancy would hurry up and end, but I know that is not the best thing for the boys, so I try to be strong and just put up with being uncomfortable. I would rather be here in the hospital, then to be home and have these little guys in the hospital. I am just learning very early about the sacrifices we make as parents to ensure that our children have the best life possible.
I'm not sure if I will continue to be able to update the blog. Yesterday the site was being restricted by the hospitals web sense program, but today it works. Seems like that has just been our luck with the computer/internet since we have been here. I am so thankful that we have internet, it has been such a blessing and so uplifting to be able to stay in contact with everyone. If a time comes again when I am unable to access the blog, I promise to keep you updated with e-mails.
I know I say this every time, but thank you...thank you...thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers. I am so encouraged to hear that we are in the thoughts and prayers of so many.
I'm not sure if I will continue to be able to update the blog. Yesterday the site was being restricted by the hospitals web sense program, but today it works. Seems like that has just been our luck with the computer/internet since we have been here. I am so thankful that we have internet, it has been such a blessing and so uplifting to be able to stay in contact with everyone. If a time comes again when I am unable to access the blog, I promise to keep you updated with e-mails.
I know I say this every time, but thank you...thank you...thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers. I am so encouraged to hear that we are in the thoughts and prayers of so many.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
26 Weeks!!!
We have made it another week. It is funny because on Tuesdays we count the number of weeks in the hospital (3 weeks so far) and that is pretty much a bummer, but on Wednesdays we count the weeks of the pregnancy and we get to rejoice in the fact that we have made it another week! Thank you for all of your prayers...they are definitely being heard!
I can't help but smile as I write this because there is a party going on in my belly. It is obvious that the boys are celebrating the 26 week milestone as well.
Well there isn't anything new going on here...still just counting the days as they pass. I know I won't get this much free time again for quite a while...I just wish I had a little more freedom in how I choose to spend the free time. Sloan and I went on a ride Monday night over to an adjoining hospital to check out their Christmas decorations, which were beautiful. We had a great time as Sloan let me roll down the sloped halls and hurried to catch me before I crashed into the walls.
I can't help but smile as I write this because there is a party going on in my belly. It is obvious that the boys are celebrating the 26 week milestone as well.
Well there isn't anything new going on here...still just counting the days as they pass. I know I won't get this much free time again for quite a while...I just wish I had a little more freedom in how I choose to spend the free time. Sloan and I went on a ride Monday night over to an adjoining hospital to check out their Christmas decorations, which were beautiful. We had a great time as Sloan let me roll down the sloped halls and hurried to catch me before I crashed into the walls.
Monday, December 11, 2006
What Else???
As I approach the third week of being in the hospital, I begin to wonder what else could possibly happen to make this pregnancy less enjoyable. MY HAIR IS FALLING OUT!!!! Is this just a result of being pregnant (like the sore gums, acne, and bloody noses)? Or is it a side effect of this medication? Maybe it is just breaking from being in a ponytail and me laying down all day. I have yet to ask my doctor about this one.
Today began with a rough start, I was extremely nauseous and had to be given some meds to make me feel better. All I know is that shortly after the meds entered my IV I was asleep, when I woke up I was definitely feeling better. The rest of the day passed with little excitement as Sloan and I pretty much just lounged around, dosing off occasionally.
We had a wonderful surprise as Sloan's mom, sister and nephew popped in for a visit. This was quite the surprise since they live 2 hours away. Bailey provided us all with plenty of entertainment and a 5-year-old's sense of humor. He enjoyed showing the nurse his bloody gloves (he colored some latex exam gloves with a red marker) and blowing them up repeatedly.
Earlier in the day Sara and John stopped by to visit as well. We enjoyed comparing bellies and pregnancy stories as well as sharing our plans for when our little ones arrive. Sloan was thankful to have someone who actually enjoyed watching football. They also brought us a book that I am anxious to read, it is called Twinspiration and promises to provide real life advice through the first year.
Today began with a rough start, I was extremely nauseous and had to be given some meds to make me feel better. All I know is that shortly after the meds entered my IV I was asleep, when I woke up I was definitely feeling better. The rest of the day passed with little excitement as Sloan and I pretty much just lounged around, dosing off occasionally.
We had a wonderful surprise as Sloan's mom, sister and nephew popped in for a visit. This was quite the surprise since they live 2 hours away. Bailey provided us all with plenty of entertainment and a 5-year-old's sense of humor. He enjoyed showing the nurse his bloody gloves (he colored some latex exam gloves with a red marker) and blowing them up repeatedly.
Earlier in the day Sara and John stopped by to visit as well. We enjoyed comparing bellies and pregnancy stories as well as sharing our plans for when our little ones arrive. Sloan was thankful to have someone who actually enjoyed watching football. They also brought us a book that I am anxious to read, it is called Twinspiration and promises to provide real life advice through the first year.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Freedom
Dr. Carpenter came to visit this morning and freed me from my monitor. I had been under continuous contraction monitoring, meaning I was wearing a stretchy belt that held on a little device that measured contractions. I was constantly switching positions of the monitor to relieve my belly from being stabbed by the device...I feel so much better. I still have to be monitored, 2 hours mid-morning, 2 hours mid-afternoon and continuous from 7pm to 7am (this is the time period in which I have the most contractions). At least now I can get up to the bathroom easier.
So far the higher dose of meds are hanging in there and keeping contractions to a minimum...I was told that I wouldn't be contraction free, but this is definitely better than before. It was confirmed that I am definitely in preterm labor...not just Braxton Hicks (false labor)...so it is inevitable that the meds will have to be increased as time passes and hopefully they will continue to be effective. So taking that in to consideration, I have been in labor for 6 weeks now...how crazy is that...thankfully it isn't active labor and is completely bearable!
Please continue to pray for more time...that is the most important factor at this point.
So far the higher dose of meds are hanging in there and keeping contractions to a minimum...I was told that I wouldn't be contraction free, but this is definitely better than before. It was confirmed that I am definitely in preterm labor...not just Braxton Hicks (false labor)...so it is inevitable that the meds will have to be increased as time passes and hopefully they will continue to be effective. So taking that in to consideration, I have been in labor for 6 weeks now...how crazy is that...thankfully it isn't active labor and is completely bearable!
Please continue to pray for more time...that is the most important factor at this point.
Friday, December 8, 2006
The Battle Continues
Sorry it has been a while since we last posted any updates, we have been having internet issues.
This last week has definitely been a roller coaster of events. The week started out well, on Tuesday I was able to venture beyond my room and Sloan took me on a wheelchair ride around the hospital...it was fun to get out. It was kind of amusing to be the object of every one's attention, people stared at me as though I was a sad case. The fun soon ended a few hours after we got back to the room. I had an awful nurse that left me on the fetal monitor for 45 minutes, this doesn't sound like that big of a deal except the fact that the belts that hold the monitors on were so tight they were causing me to contract. So after 45 minutes I took myself off the monitor and laid on my side to try to get the contractions to subside. After and hour and a half of contractions every 10 minutes, we called the resident to see what could be done to calm things down. I was given my scheduled meds a little early and tried to go to sleep.
Wednesday, Sloan left for his residency interview in Temple and Mom came in town to stay with me in his absence. This day brought more contractions as well. The contractions started pounding away about 3pm and seemed to be following the same pattern as the night before. My 6pm dose of meds was moved up to 5pm and again things seemed to settle down. My nighttime meds were increased and the night seemed to go smoothly. Yesterday didn't prove to be any better...I ended up having to have a shot early in the afternoon to calm things down again. As soon as that wore off around 7pm I started to have sharp pains and mild but painful contractions...so I was given another shot to smooth things out again. This morning Dr. Carpenter came in and decided that we needed to be more aggressive so he increased my Magnesium (my IV meds) and my Albuterol (my oral meds) to try and get things to calm down.
So far today has seems to be pretty smooth. We all knew that meds would have to be increased at some point as the boys grow and my uterus is forced to accommodate them...causing more pressure on my cervix...which in turn triggers contractions. We are just hoping to keep the contractions to a minimum so that what little cervix I have left can hold on for at least 3 more weeks. If we can make it to 28 weeks (December 27th) the boys will be tiny, but they will have a 90% chance of surviving without any longterm developmental or physical conditions.
We continue to be encouraged by all of the prayers and well wishes coming in from all over. There are people all over the country praying for us...it is truly amazing! It is hard to be discouraged when we receive so much encouragement from all of you! Thank you!
This last week has definitely been a roller coaster of events. The week started out well, on Tuesday I was able to venture beyond my room and Sloan took me on a wheelchair ride around the hospital...it was fun to get out. It was kind of amusing to be the object of every one's attention, people stared at me as though I was a sad case. The fun soon ended a few hours after we got back to the room. I had an awful nurse that left me on the fetal monitor for 45 minutes, this doesn't sound like that big of a deal except the fact that the belts that hold the monitors on were so tight they were causing me to contract. So after 45 minutes I took myself off the monitor and laid on my side to try to get the contractions to subside. After and hour and a half of contractions every 10 minutes, we called the resident to see what could be done to calm things down. I was given my scheduled meds a little early and tried to go to sleep.
Wednesday, Sloan left for his residency interview in Temple and Mom came in town to stay with me in his absence. This day brought more contractions as well. The contractions started pounding away about 3pm and seemed to be following the same pattern as the night before. My 6pm dose of meds was moved up to 5pm and again things seemed to settle down. My nighttime meds were increased and the night seemed to go smoothly. Yesterday didn't prove to be any better...I ended up having to have a shot early in the afternoon to calm things down again. As soon as that wore off around 7pm I started to have sharp pains and mild but painful contractions...so I was given another shot to smooth things out again. This morning Dr. Carpenter came in and decided that we needed to be more aggressive so he increased my Magnesium (my IV meds) and my Albuterol (my oral meds) to try and get things to calm down.
So far today has seems to be pretty smooth. We all knew that meds would have to be increased at some point as the boys grow and my uterus is forced to accommodate them...causing more pressure on my cervix...which in turn triggers contractions. We are just hoping to keep the contractions to a minimum so that what little cervix I have left can hold on for at least 3 more weeks. If we can make it to 28 weeks (December 27th) the boys will be tiny, but they will have a 90% chance of surviving without any longterm developmental or physical conditions.
We continue to be encouraged by all of the prayers and well wishes coming in from all over. There are people all over the country praying for us...it is truly amazing! It is hard to be discouraged when we receive so much encouragement from all of you! Thank you!
Saturday, December 2, 2006
That's What Friends Are For
The last few days have been great thanks to our wonderful friends! Yesterday was baby day as Aurelie and Whitney visited with their little ones in tow. Thankfully they were here at different times of the day...although that might have given us a little insight in to what to expect from two one-year-olds. We really enjoyed the entertainment of the little ones and can't wait for more visits like those. Aurelie has added to the holiday spirit in our room with a beautiful Poinsettia and little bags of Christmas treats! Kendra and Kayla came today with yummies from the Cheesecake Factory, so needless to say we are being well taken care of here!
We have had a rather uneventful end to the week as far as my health is concerned. There haven't been any changes as things remain relatively stable. I did have to drink the nasty orange stuff this morning as part of the test for gestational diabetes. My doctor did warn me that the combination of carrying twins and the Magnesium I am on may be just enough to push me over the limit...so keep your fingers crossed that I pass my test so I don't have to give up all the wonderful holiday treats.
Thank you Aunt Susan for the care package...the puzzles are sure to keep me entertained for weeks!
We have had a rather uneventful end to the week as far as my health is concerned. There haven't been any changes as things remain relatively stable. I did have to drink the nasty orange stuff this morning as part of the test for gestational diabetes. My doctor did warn me that the combination of carrying twins and the Magnesium I am on may be just enough to push me over the limit...so keep your fingers crossed that I pass my test so I don't have to give up all the wonderful holiday treats.
Thank you Aunt Susan for the care package...the puzzles are sure to keep me entertained for weeks!
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