Yesterday marked one month of finding out about the identical twins and it was our second doctor's visit. I was thrilled because I thought we would have another ultrasound. Like most expectant mom's I've been doing my reading, receiving daily updates on the babies' growth from "What to Expect," and wanted to view the development that has been occurring. Not to mention, I was ready to add a photo to my frame to showcase. However, that didn't happen but we did get to hear the heart beat. I asked the doc what one of those contraptions would cost. It was out of my budget! Of course, at this stage you know you're pregnant and you see your body changing and are experiencing pregnancy symptoms but you can't feel the babies. As a new mother to be I believe we all worry to a certain degree and love to have that reassurance. Good news is our next appointment is scheduled for the last week in April. Exactly 2 days before we are due to visit KY. Doc confirmed we will find out the sex at the next office visit. However, we are hoping that they can keep it a secret from us that day and place a few cards in envelopes with the sex written on a piece of paper. We plan on having a cookout with our families on Thursday 4/28 and do the BIG REVEALING together. It means so much to me to include them on this journey and share every moment I can. Despite distance you can be creative and make memories that you will always cherish.
Our doctor confirmed at our first appointment that we were having Monozygotic-Diamnionic aka "Mono-Di" twins. "Monozygotic" (Identical) twins occur when one egg is fertilized by one sperm. At some point in the very early stages of cell division, the developing cell group splits in two and develops as two separate embryos. This rare twinning creates two embryos who share the complete complement of each other's genetic information; their DNA is identical. The point at which the split occurs will determine which of the four possible developmental scenarios will develop for the babies. I'm just going to focus on our reality. "Diamnionic" basically means two amniotic sacs. Breaking it down we have Identical Twins with two amniotic sacs. They share one chorion (outer sac) and one placenta. Due to the two babies taking from one nutrition source it is considered riskier than two babies having their own. Therefore, soon after our next doctor appointment we will continue going for our routine visits along with seeing a high risk pregnancy specialist at another location. This doctor is specialized in monitoring the growth of the babies. In researching, you learn that the placenta is suited to supply twins with everything they need throughout their gestation. Under the best of circumstance it generously provides for the transfer of oxygen, water, and nutrition from mother to developing fetuses. However, there are situations in which the placenta appears to provide a preferential supply of nutrition to one fetus over the other. The specialist will closely be watching the growth of both babies and we were told if one gets to 20% or more larger than the other then that's a red flag. Everyday I remind them to share, share, share!
Another risk the specialist will be on the lookout for is known as Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). Basically TTTS can occur due to sharing a single placenta. The blood supplies of identical twin fetuses can become connected, so that they share blood circulation. Although each fetus uses its own portion of the placenta, the connecting blood vessels within the placenta allow blood to pass from one twin to the other. This can lead to being shared unequally by the twins, and one twin may have a share too small to provide the necessary nutrients to grow normally or even survive. TTTS affects approximately 15% of identical pregnancies. Unfortunately, TTTS can't be prevented but treatment has come a long way. As my husband tells me, "Don't cross that bridge till you come to it." Hopefully with your continued prayers this will not be something we face.
There are a few frequently asked questions I want to answer:
Q. Can you have boy/girl identical twins?
A. First of all don't feel bad for asking this question because once you hear the answer it all comes back to you. I also totally forgot till the doc explained it at our first visit. I'm even pretty sure I got an A on my test back in the day on this...haha! Quick recap of Biology 101: The egg always carries an X (girl) chromosome and the sperm either carries an X (girl) or Y (boy) chromosome. Therefore, the man's sperm determines the sex of the baby. Again, with identical twins it's one egg fertilized by one sperm. Then the egg splits. Therefore you're either having 2 boys or 2 girls. No combo. (Side Note: I believe God was genius on this. It's all up to the man and I'm so happy for that! Women don't need that additional pressure!)
Q. Were you on fertility drugs?
A. Negative partner. Fertility drugs can result in Dizygotic (Fraternal) twins or even triplets, quadruplets, etc. Fertility drugs can increase the number of eggs a woman produces and then multiple sperms can fertilize those eggs. With identical twins they can't really explain why the egg splits. My answer...A gift from God.
Q. Do twins run in your family?
A. Stay tuned to my next blog :)
In closing, one day at a time is the best you can do. Not just being pregnant but in life in general. It doesn't hurt that my doctors gave me the OK to go on my trip next week to drum roll....HAWAII! I will be going with Aunt Tiffany and Aunt Kimbo. Yes, the hubby will be at home. He's awesome! So kids, don't say momma never took you anywhere :)
Aloha friends,
The Cochrans
Cute Story
A lady at work has 8 year old identical twins. A couple of weeks ago she told me she had a book about multiples. The following day she came in with the book and the cutest story. She said it was up on a high shelf so she climbed up there and brought it down and the boys noticed it and exclaimed, "Look a book about us!" She replied, "No boys this is for Ms. Leslie. She is having identical twins." A look of confusion and astonishment spread across their faces and they said, "You mean we aren't the only twins in the world." She said she got so tickled because she never realized that is what they believed. They were shocked to hear there are others out there like them. Haha!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Mother's Intuition of the Gender
I am not Ms. Cleo; however I feel that we are having boys. Why? I just do. I have heard a variation of how you can predict the gender, but I'm just going on my intuition. Ironically, the only names I have picked out are for girls. Hubby has agreed to Camryn Reese Cochran and I like Addison Claire Cochran. We could either call the girls Cammy & Addy or Camryn and Claire. However, boy names aren't so easy. He doesn't agree on anything I throw out there. I've read other blogs that discourage naming multiples names that rhyme. Like yesterday I saw on TV twins named Gary and Larry. We won't be going there. I've also seen where someone named the girls (I can't remember the name exactly) but basically Leslie Ann and Ann Leslie. Wow! Not going there either. We may have their names start with the same letter.
My mother calls me at least once a day to recommend a name. However, dad to be is going to have to agree and like I've said that's not going to be easy. If all else fails I have a Plan B. He names one and I name the other. Life is all about compromise, right? If you have any suggestions feel free to recommend. Of course, you want us to name our kids after you :) Which brings me to some names you may like but reminds you of someone in your past and you just couldn't name your child that name. Women are probably worse at a name triggering memories than men. Also, when I worked at Servpro and was marketing to a mother to be she told me there was a name her & her husband liked. Luckily, something made her google the name and low and behold there was a porn star with the same name. Whoa! Close call! Note to self I need to google the names we select before they become permanant.
My mother calls me at least once a day to recommend a name. However, dad to be is going to have to agree and like I've said that's not going to be easy. If all else fails I have a Plan B. He names one and I name the other. Life is all about compromise, right? If you have any suggestions feel free to recommend. Of course, you want us to name our kids after you :) Which brings me to some names you may like but reminds you of someone in your past and you just couldn't name your child that name. Women are probably worse at a name triggering memories than men. Also, when I worked at Servpro and was marketing to a mother to be she told me there was a name her & her husband liked. Luckily, something made her google the name and low and behold there was a porn star with the same name. Whoa! Close call! Note to self I need to google the names we select before they become permanant.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Faith*Allergies or Morning Sickness*Cravings*Zzzzzs
I should never let two weeks go by without writing. That only means I'll ramble. Haha! Let me try to recap what has been going on as quick and sweet as possible.
FAITH
When I went back to work after the exciting weekend of finding out the big news I decided to share the pregnancy with my coworkers. That morning I placed the sonogram photos in a picture frame. I felt like I was in school again and today was show and tell. I have learned that when you share you are pregnant you get many different responses. One of the first ladies I told had a reaction I was not prepared for. She immediately had worry written all over her face. She quickly shared, "I was pregnant with identical twins." I knew that she does not have twins. She went further and said, "One died while I was pregnant and then the other did as well." Now I share this because we all have moments in our life that takes us by surprise. Obviously that is not something you want to hear when you are pregnant; however I know this woman very well and knew that she meant no harm in sharing her experience. I knew that upon hearing my news it had triggered those emotions. However, I found myself vulnerable and debating on if I should share the news with the rest of my fellow employees. I already had a small degree of worry and stress but this definitely heightened that anxiety. In my heart, I know that no worry will protect or prevent anything from happening to my babies. God forbid, if something happens during my pregnancy worry is not going to help ease any of those emotions. Despite knowing these things I continued struggling with those feelings. Then, I overwhelmingly felt like the enemy was stealing my joy. I have an application on my Iphone that gives bible verses. I opened the application and Hebrews 11:1 appeared. It reads: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Anytime worry reappears in my head I recite this verse. It has given me peace. Now I replace worry with FAITH and George Michaels "Cause I got to have faith, faith, faith!"
That day I had so much fun showing everyone the pictures. Immediately they knew it was a sonogram and I was pregnant. However, then I would ask what they saw in the picture that showed both Baby A & Baby B. Some caught on but others didn't realize there was two. Everyone pointed out "the duck" though...haha! So I would point out the writing "Baby A and Baby B." They were elated. It's been a long time since someone was pregnant in my department so they are so excited about the baby news. They are making sure that I'm getting plenty to eat (too much really). One lady calls them the Doublemint Twins.
ALLERGIES OR MORNING SICKNESS?
My friend Emily & Chrissy came to visit me about a week ago. Women always need their girlfriends! While they were here I began getting sick in the mornings. My theory was that my allergies were to blame. Yes, I was getting sick in the mornings but my allergies/sinuses are terrible when I first wake up. Hello! Emily challenged my theory the most. On the beach she passionately pointed out that she has the worst allergies EVER, IN THE WORLD, and has NEVER, EVER gotten physically sick. Another time she asked "How are your allergies treating you? Because your babies would never make you sick." (Yes babies, this is how your Aunt Emily talks to your momma...haha!) I stuck to my theory, but due to my google research yesterday I now admit I am having morning sickness. Emily you were right :) My name is Leslie Cochran and I am having morning sickness. However, on a scale of 1 (low) - 10 (high), I am a 1. I can handle it!
FOOD CRAVINGS?
CARBS, CARBS, CARBS! My body is now on Team Carb. Seems like I lost my cravings for sweets and replaced them with carbs. Meat and potatoes, pasta, that's what's on my menu! My mouth is watering now. My husband thinks my new appetite is comical. He says "As long as I keep my girl fed she is happy." However, I don't know why he is laughing. I believe he is having pregnancy symptoms of his own. Last week, I was craving blueberry muffins. So I got up early and baked 12 blueberry muffins. I ate 3 (they are medium sized and I'm pregnant-don't judge). The next morning I woke up and skipped to the kitchen to eat my blueberry muffins for the morning. I couldn't find them. I went straight to my hubby and demanded to know where he hid them. He said he ate them all. However, I did not believe him. That meant he ate nine muffins in one day! He was serious though. I never thought muffins could bring me to tears but I thought I was going to cry...LOL! I told my hubby that he better take his blueberry muffin eating butt to the grocery and get us (the babies & me) some muffins. We're still waiting!
Zzzzzzzs
I realize that I should be taking advantage of all the sleep I can get. But I just want some energy and motivation. Life is work, home, sleep...work, home, sleep...repeat. That's another symptom my hubby & I share, because he is sleeping just as much. However, one difference is that he doesn't get up several times during the night to use the bathroom. My current record is 5 times. It's amazing. I can pee every hour and a half and every time it sounds like someone turned on the faucet. I've been told if I'm already peeing this much it's probably going to be worse in my third trimester. In my mind, I feel that's God's way of preparing you to getting up often during the night. Oh and eventually I'm going to need a stepping stool to get me into our bed! Joy!
FAITH
When I went back to work after the exciting weekend of finding out the big news I decided to share the pregnancy with my coworkers. That morning I placed the sonogram photos in a picture frame. I felt like I was in school again and today was show and tell. I have learned that when you share you are pregnant you get many different responses. One of the first ladies I told had a reaction I was not prepared for. She immediately had worry written all over her face. She quickly shared, "I was pregnant with identical twins." I knew that she does not have twins. She went further and said, "One died while I was pregnant and then the other did as well." Now I share this because we all have moments in our life that takes us by surprise. Obviously that is not something you want to hear when you are pregnant; however I know this woman very well and knew that she meant no harm in sharing her experience. I knew that upon hearing my news it had triggered those emotions. However, I found myself vulnerable and debating on if I should share the news with the rest of my fellow employees. I already had a small degree of worry and stress but this definitely heightened that anxiety. In my heart, I know that no worry will protect or prevent anything from happening to my babies. God forbid, if something happens during my pregnancy worry is not going to help ease any of those emotions. Despite knowing these things I continued struggling with those feelings. Then, I overwhelmingly felt like the enemy was stealing my joy. I have an application on my Iphone that gives bible verses. I opened the application and Hebrews 11:1 appeared. It reads: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Anytime worry reappears in my head I recite this verse. It has given me peace. Now I replace worry with FAITH and George Michaels "Cause I got to have faith, faith, faith!"
That day I had so much fun showing everyone the pictures. Immediately they knew it was a sonogram and I was pregnant. However, then I would ask what they saw in the picture that showed both Baby A & Baby B. Some caught on but others didn't realize there was two. Everyone pointed out "the duck" though...haha! So I would point out the writing "Baby A and Baby B." They were elated. It's been a long time since someone was pregnant in my department so they are so excited about the baby news. They are making sure that I'm getting plenty to eat (too much really). One lady calls them the Doublemint Twins.
ALLERGIES OR MORNING SICKNESS?
My friend Emily & Chrissy came to visit me about a week ago. Women always need their girlfriends! While they were here I began getting sick in the mornings. My theory was that my allergies were to blame. Yes, I was getting sick in the mornings but my allergies/sinuses are terrible when I first wake up. Hello! Emily challenged my theory the most. On the beach she passionately pointed out that she has the worst allergies EVER, IN THE WORLD, and has NEVER, EVER gotten physically sick. Another time she asked "How are your allergies treating you? Because your babies would never make you sick." (Yes babies, this is how your Aunt Emily talks to your momma...haha!) I stuck to my theory, but due to my google research yesterday I now admit I am having morning sickness. Emily you were right :) My name is Leslie Cochran and I am having morning sickness. However, on a scale of 1 (low) - 10 (high), I am a 1. I can handle it!
FOOD CRAVINGS?
CARBS, CARBS, CARBS! My body is now on Team Carb. Seems like I lost my cravings for sweets and replaced them with carbs. Meat and potatoes, pasta, that's what's on my menu! My mouth is watering now. My husband thinks my new appetite is comical. He says "As long as I keep my girl fed she is happy." However, I don't know why he is laughing. I believe he is having pregnancy symptoms of his own. Last week, I was craving blueberry muffins. So I got up early and baked 12 blueberry muffins. I ate 3 (they are medium sized and I'm pregnant-don't judge). The next morning I woke up and skipped to the kitchen to eat my blueberry muffins for the morning. I couldn't find them. I went straight to my hubby and demanded to know where he hid them. He said he ate them all. However, I did not believe him. That meant he ate nine muffins in one day! He was serious though. I never thought muffins could bring me to tears but I thought I was going to cry...LOL! I told my hubby that he better take his blueberry muffin eating butt to the grocery and get us (the babies & me) some muffins. We're still waiting!
Zzzzzzzs
I realize that I should be taking advantage of all the sleep I can get. But I just want some energy and motivation. Life is work, home, sleep...work, home, sleep...repeat. That's another symptom my hubby & I share, because he is sleeping just as much. However, one difference is that he doesn't get up several times during the night to use the bathroom. My current record is 5 times. It's amazing. I can pee every hour and a half and every time it sounds like someone turned on the faucet. I've been told if I'm already peeing this much it's probably going to be worse in my third trimester. In my mind, I feel that's God's way of preparing you to getting up often during the night. Oh and eventually I'm going to need a stepping stool to get me into our bed! Joy!
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