Childbirth Classes: The closest thing to a baby manual

As of this past weekend, most of our pre-birth classes are out of the way. They are fun and very informative, but tire me out!

A few weeks ago we took a class called "Breastfeeding for Multiples". Yes, Jay went :) He was a bit hesitant, but I assured him I needed him and that there would be plenty other men there (going out on a limb, but I figured this was the case since it recommended it in the class info write-up). Thankfully, I was right. There were four couples of twins - complete with Dads! For the most part we reviewed initial days and weeks "how-twos" after the babies arrive. Generally speaking, we'll treat them a bit like singletons until each of them can feed well on their own. Once we've got it down, we'll figure out how to do tandem feeding. Yes, I've already begun to think about the sheer logistics of this and yes I'm sure it will prove to be challenging. Hopefully the babes (and mom) will catch on quick so that I can utilize any help that's still coming by. Either way, I'm sure we'll get there with time and lots of patience.

What I really took away from this class was the concept of how important it is to begin breastfeeding as soon as possible after delivery (if no NICU of course) and that the size of a babies stomach is itty bitty when their first born so what they will require will be equivalent to what their little bodies can actually process. In fact, when they're first born, their little intestines haven't fully learned out to process "true" food (hence why they go through various stages of really weird looking poo - if you look, beware of the icky but informative photos). So, essentially, demand will increase as supply does. Which is a relief since you often hear that women worry that they're babies aren't getting "enough" milk. Our instructor literally said that the first day or two you might feed in 10-15 increments every 2 hours and that would be enough. Above and beyond that time, is time dedicated to pumping. Pumping in combo with breast feeding can be critical, especially for mothers of multiples. This is because supply is often a direct result of demand. The more you empty your breasts, the more you are telling your body how much to make. She said that on average you should empty a minimum of 8 times per day (total of breast feeding and pumping). In the very beginning (when baby isn't demanding a lot), you need to finish emptying your breasts after baby feeds in order to get your supply really going. The other key thing to breastfeeding multiples, she said, was to alternate which breast each baby feeds on and the angle at which they feed. This is because the sucking power will vary among babies and you want to make sure to empty each breast as equally as possible.

Yes, there was a lot of boob talk, but it was interesting to learn! We also watched a video and used a baby doll to each practice feeding positions. I'm looking forward to getting into the class booklet a little more in-depth in the months to come. Oh I hope we have success with this as it will ultimately be best for the babies and will help in so many other ways, including weight loss and moola :)

The most recent class we just finished our Childbirth in a Day class. Rather than string it out over several weeks, especially because we may end up going the c-section route anyway, we elected to take the one-day class. Lots of info and another booklet with videos to review as it draws closer.

Now, all that's left on this front is to buy for and pack our hospital bags in advance, get a pediatrician lined up and take an infant CPR class. Ok, so there's still a lot to do but we're making headway!


What's New with Mommy...

Movements: Last night I felt Tweedle A "kick" for the first time (3x in a row!). It was soooo awesome! I tried to call Jay in to experience it too, but, of course, baby stopped moving.
Slowing Down: On Sunday I decided to catch up on some housework. Nothing major - a little laundry, dishes, cooking, general vacuuming and dusting, etc. I didn't stop and lie down a ton, but I figured I'd be ok since I wasn't doing a ton of walking. Boy was I wrong. By the end of the night my body was hurting and the next day I was a zombie. So, I need to find a way to always do a little each night that way I don't have to "catch up", because frankly I don't want to wear myself down like that again.
Symptoms: I never thought I'd be saying this, but my tailbone hurts like crazy!! Who would have thought that would be something associated with pregnancy, but I guess it does make sense. Especially because I have a strong feeling that I'm carrying Tweedle A pretty low and more to my back, whereas the Baby B seems to be up front and to my left. So far it would seem that the only thing to relieve or prevent this is to not sit upright for long periods of time. That, in combination with the fact that standing or walking for too long also makes my back and belly sore, it sounds like more, true pelvic rest (lying down) is in my future, like it or not.

17 Weeks Tomorrow! Have I mentioned I love my new belly?

Because I do! Sure, the bigger it gets the more challenging things are becoming, but that's just part of it. I am too much in awe of the little lives that are at work here to focus on the aches and pains for too long. I bought my first official maternity pants a little over a week ago and, let me just say, those are heavenly. They are the next best thing to pajamas or nudity. :) They feel so much better on my tummy and are much easier than dealing with the belly band rolling up and down all the time.

In other belly news, I am getting not only growing in the front, but also out to the side (I laughed at the thought of possibly eventually looking like a moo cow!). I attempted to capture this in the pic below, but it's harder to see straight on than I originally thought, though you can see a hint of it on my left side in the pic.

And if you're not totally done with belly shots by this point, the one above is my newest side at 16 weeks and below is an updated slideshow with weeks 14 & 16 added. Life is good!

We can feel you babies!

I've not noticed you "kicking" yet, but for the past two weeks off and on, I have felt different spots in my uterus become balled up and firm... it must be your sweet little bodies curled up and rising to the surface. I love every second of it! Last night was the first time your daddy was able to feel you, too. I was laying in bed getting ready to call it a night when I felt one of you (Tweedle A)... I called him over and after several seconds he said he could feel you turn or move! Further proof you are growing bigger and bigger by the day.

I am quite proud of being able to show you off now!

Just look at how much you are making mommy's belly poke out!!

{16 weeks}

In just two short weeks we will go to the doctor to get an ultrasound to find out what each of your gender is! Daddy and I have been talking about names and have a few ideas we like that we keep coming back to. We've decided to keep your names secret for now and will surprise everyone with them the day you both are born! It is so exciting that you will share this occasion with each other for years and years to come.

God has created each of you with a mind and independence of your own, but has also given you a life-long friend and confidant to share lots of laughter and even troubles with. I pray that you will never take this for granted, treasure what he's given you and will always stick by each others' sides no matter what.

We love you forever!
Mommy & Daddy

Week 15! Date set for the gender scan!!

Our 14w6d appointment last Thursday was a good one. Nice and uneventful, just like we like.

First item of business was the weigh-in. The big question: Would 3 1/2 weeks be enough time to put on enough weight to "catch back up" to where I should be? Well, in my case, yes. It was plenty of time. Actually, I gained more than I needed to. {Whoops!} At my last appt I was at 115 1/2. This next appt, I was 122! 7 lbs in 3 1/2 weeks is 2 lbs a week. Holy cow! I was instructed to either keep it up (starting small never hurts to gain a bit more, at least I'm told) or take it down a notch to 1-1/2 lbs a week. I'm going to keep on eating just like I have been while I'm still nauseous and then I might rethink how this whole food thing will work. For now, it's a must eat situation and I know my babies are benefiting from it. They have plump little bellies now! (So cute!!)

Ok, enough about my weight... onto the babies! Any and every time we get to see them we are happy. Would I be a bad mom if I said this wasn't the "best" ultrasound ever? Nah, that's not their fault. I think it had to do with where the Dr was placing the scanning device and, consequently, it made it hard to get good identifiable shots at times. Just a few short days ago when the other doc did it, she focused in more on the top of my belly and got great shots. Not that I'm critiquing or anything ;-) Anyhow, what peek we did get of them was really neat. Their little skeletal system is quite evident at this point. Tiny spines and arm bones and even little skulls... you'll see what I mean a bit later. Let's just say cute and a bit creepy at the same time!

Also, lots of movement and we could see a glimpse of tiny heart valves. Tweedle/Baby A (the lower tweedle, which, by the way, they always refer to the bottom-most baby as "a" and the top-most as "b") *almost* gave the Dr a gender shot, but no such luck, which is ok. Our appt was running a bit behind, which meant we were running late for our last class that night, and I found it a bit hard to concentrate as a result. I even forgot to ask detailed questions about the bleeding incident. We did talk briefly about it and he said didn't seem all that concerned about it and he tried locating it again on the ultrasound, but had no luck, and said that was a good thing.

The big news from this appt is that we have a date for our Level II ultrasound, which is also the day we find out the genders of our babies!! We are pretty darn excited! The date is Thurs, December 3. We will definitely let everyone know what we find out, as I know lots of people are just as eager to hear the news. This is also the ultrasound where they will be measure to make sure their growth is still on target and take closer look at the heart, bladder, stomach, brain, spine, heart rate, placentas, amniotic fluid... and who knows what else. I'm hoping that the excitement of learning the genders will take the focus away from the slight nervousness of having our babies looked at in such detail for any possible issues. In all, the scan itself will take around 1hr and then we will have an appt immediately following with our OB. The nice thing is that after this ultrasound, we will begin seeing him every two weeks until week 30, instead of every 3-4 weeks. Bonus!




Above: If you look really close, and turn your head upside town :-), you may
notice a slight hint of a chin and nose on Tweedle A. We haven't had a profile shot
of him or her yet so I just love, love, loved this!



Tweedle B (top) was referred to as "skeletor" by our Dr. :|
Fitting in this case, yes, though I refuse to think of my babies as anything else
but cute and adorable and skeletor is neither of these. I did study this
one for a bit and am pretty sure that I can see its little tongue.
That is totally adorable, so I am satisfied! :P



Another skeletor-like shot, minus the tongue.

14 Weeks: A little scare, but everything is great!

Week 12 was uneventful. Week 13 was *almost*... but then Friday arrived.

Everything was fine until a little after 4pm. I was sitting at my desk, minding my own business, when I felt a gush. I ran to the bathroom to see what I thought was quite a bit of blood and completely flipped out. At that very moment all of these thoughts and feelings came rushing over me. I just kept saying over and over "God please don't take my babies. Please!!" By the time I made it to my car, I was sobbing hysterically. I flew home and Jay and I started towards the Urgent Care center nearby.

In the meantime, we were able to get a doctor from my OB's office on the phone and she instructed us not to bother with Urgent Care, as they wouldn't even have an ultrasound machine. We could go to the emergency room, but there would be little they could do for us other than give an ultrasound. She was then nice enough to offer to stay at St. Luke's until we arrived so that she could do a scan. What a relief! I have heard enough bad stories about emergency room ultrasounds that I didn't want to do that if at all possible.

I was still really shaken up when we arrived, but I quickly undressed and held my breath for a brief moment as she put the goop on my belly and began the scan. Immediately we saw two happy babies (below), moving around more than ever and two little hearts beating away. What a relief! For the first time we saw tiny fingers and toes. It was adorable!!

She went on to explain and show us that I had what was called a subchronic bleed at the edge of the lower placenta. In this case, the placenta at some point became irritated and a blood vessel burst, causing the initial "gush". She said that she, too, had this very thing happen before and her bleed was even larger. I was relieved to hear that this isn't uncommon and typically leads to healthy babies. The good part is that I only spotted Saturday through Tuesday and today it seems to be gone.

Another OB appt tomorrow! We did end up moving up our next OB appt at the recommendation of the OB who saw us that day. So, that means we'll be seeing our babies again tomorrow (10/5)! And, this time, we're going out to the location we went to on Friday... for one, we'll be heading to our multiples class nearby immediately following so it just makes logistical sense and, more importantly, because of their awesome ultrasound screen! Seriously, this thing is HUGE. A TV that is at least 42-46" is mounted on the wall, right in front of the table so that you can see everything! The other location is a bit more convenient for us at times, but I'm sure we'll be back to this office from time to time for this reason alone!

I am curious to see what my doc has to say about the incident... should we be on the look-out for anything else (ie. if it happens again, should we be concerned about this leading to preterm labor)... will I come in more frequently until the bleeding (internally) has resolved?

We have really been enjoying our Preparing for Life with Multiples class over these last couple of weeks. The first week we watched two videos which basically followed several families expecting multiples and revealed what their pregnancies, deliveries and raising twins during the first couple of years were like, which was interesting. We also found out that our class will have a "reunion" next year so that we can all get together and catch up and see each others' babies. I thought that was really a neat plus, but since we are the earliest couple along, it won't be until after we deliver, and then our babies will still only be about 2-3 months. Oh that should be fun. :P

Last week, we had a pediatrician come and speak to the group about everything from how twins are twins in the womb (whether they share a sac and/or placenta) to labor and delivery, especially concentrating on preterm labor. You should know that our twins are what they call Dichorionic and Diamniotic, which means they each have their own placenta and gestational/amniotic sac. This, as the OB we saw on Friday put it, are the "best" type of twins to have because the risks of complications are lower if they shared one or both of the above.

I think the biggest thing to swallow from his talk was the preterm labor, viability and what to expect with NICU care. Generally speaking, twins must make it to week 24 to have a chance at survival. Even then, they will likely have some type of long term health issue if they do survive. The next milestone is 28 weeks, then 32 and up. I am amazed at how precious each and every passing week is to the growth and development of a baby in utero and this just goes to further that point. The longer they can stay in mommy's belly, the better off they will be. Obviously, it's not to early to start praying.

This week is our last class for that series. Tomorrow, we get to take a tour of the NICU and speak with women who are currently living in the hospital under maternity convalescent care. I have a feeling that it will just make everything that much more real for us. These things are scary to think about, but we would rather know what the possibles are and what we could expect, if it is something we end up having to deal with. This class has definitely made us grateful we've started early with everything. In fact, we're thinking about moving up a few of the classes to before the holidays, just in case.

What's New with Mommy...

Sleep: I so do love my sleep (yes, twins will be an adjustment!). For the past several weeks I had designed this crazy system of first a teddy bear and then a throw pillow between my knees and then as of late, I was also stuffing a t-shirt under my small but growing tummy. However, my friend Donna recently let me borrow her Snoogle Total Body Pillow that she used when she was pregnant and I have been sleeping MUCH, much better! It's a little funky looking, but it's a life-safer! Thanks Donna!!
Clothing Update: Do I really have to wear pants? At least that's how I'm beginning to feel anyway! The Bella Band is still working out ok, but there are some days when I really would rather have nothing more than a baggy pair of stretch pants touching my stomach. It's amazing how tender my organs are sometimes! One night, in desperate need for my already comfy pants to be that much more comfy, I hopped out of bed and cut the elastic band in the waist - ahhh... now that was more like it! Hey, it still had a draw string. Who needs elastic anyway?! Needless to say, I need to scope out some true maternity pants just so I don't feel so ick all day at work.
Symptoms: Still tired (9pm bedtime), nauseous and snacking like a fool. Ugh. Lower back pains - check. Morning congestion too (weird huh), but it actually has a name: Pregnancy Rhinitis. Who knew! Also, I have again, over the weekend, started having a couple Braxton Hicks contractions. These are "practice" contractions and are more common in twin pregnancies, so I'm not hugely alarmed by these, unless of course they are more frequent (like 4-6 per hour), at which case indicates preterm labor.
Can you feel those babies yet? Nope, no baby kicks or movement to report just yet. I am constantly keeping my hands on my belly in the *hopes* that I'll feel them soon!
Random Thought: I absolutely hate sneezing while I'm pregnant out of fear that I'll pull something or wake the babies! How silly is that. I also hated to laugh following our IVF transfer while I was on bedrest for the same reason. Of course we all know how that turned out!