This week was one I knew would eventually come but it's still hard to believe it's here. I have noticed a big change in how I feel and energy level compared to 2 weeks ago. I went to my regular doctor on Tuesday. The doctor discussed bed rest with me, but fearing I would drive myself crazy being at home and doing nothing all day we decided I could reduce my work schedule to 20 hours a week. Wednesday I returned to work and talked to our Human Resource Department. I basically found out that Short Term Disability (STD) only picks up if you are 100% disabled. Financially speaking I would make more money going on STD versus working. I spoke to my boss and she agreed it was time for me to rest. I had many women in the office worried just because they noticed the change in me as well. I am one of those people who always push forward and sometimes it takes family & friends to tell me "Leslie you need to slow down." So Thursday was my last day at work. I tried my best to organize my chaos, worked late, and as I was driving away I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. I am very relieved to reduce my stress for the boys, get off my feet, and rest so my boys can grow, grow, and grow.
We had our specialist doctor appointment yesterday morning. Typically 3 weeks fly by but this go around seemed to take longer. I am guessing along with the change in how I feel and with the due date approaching I am getting more anxious to see them and hear the update. When we visit the specialist we always have the ultrasound first. The boys haven't changed positions. I did find out it's not Baby B's head and butt I feel, but Baby A's feet and Baby B's head. Baby A is head down and really low. He lies on my cervix but then he wraps around and his feet are high. Baby B is up high (I call it the "top bunk") and then he wraps around with his feet low in breach position. So I picture them in a circle-Head-Feet-Head-Feet. I told Cochran they are going to have foot fetishes because they always have the other's feet in their face.
Baby A weighed 3.5 pds and Baby B weighed 3.8 pds. The doctor and ultrasound tech listened to their umbilical cords to check the flow. Both were great. The only concern is that Baby B has a larger stomach than Baby A. This is not based on the 3 ounce difference but Baby A's stomach circumference is smaller (Cochran said that he just takes after him). The specialist asked if I was still working and I told him I was now finished. He said great and that it's time for me to rest and to stay on my left side. When you become pregnant (you anatomy/biology majors and smarter than I people may already know) you learn that a major vein runs down the right-hand side of your body; it's called the inferior vena cava. It is recommended to lie on your left side to encourage better circulation both for you and to your baby. For instance, if I lie on my right side my right leg will fall asleep from my knee up to my thigh. It's the weirdest thing. Also, I've told you about how my right side swells more and the nurse said perhaps I sprained my ankle when I was younger. The specialist said it has more to do with the weight pressure, the vein, and circulation which causes my right side to swell worse than my left.
The specialist also wants me to start having the non-stress tests starting next week at 32 weeks. Originally I was set to have this at 34 weeks. I'll also have a non-stress test/visit with the doc the following week and then it will be time to see the specialist the following week. He did mention at a certain point I will see my regular doctor twice a week.
Update on our delivery date. As I was scheduling my next appointment I asked if they knew which doctor was on schedule for 9/23. I discovered it was a doctor that I did not want. The doctor I prefer is on the schedule the day before so I moved up the date to 9/22. Of course, our parents have "trip flex" in case of changes. We may go ahead and if the same doctor is on for the week we may move the date to 9/21. So our parents can fly in on Tuesday and be there for the arrival of their grand boys on Wednesday. Of course, anything can happen with twins. 60% of twins are born before 37 weeks. I am hoping our boys wait till the delivery date. Two weeks can allow them to gain close to another pound each. However, we have to be realistic and know that anything could potentially happen 3 weeks from now (35 weeks pregnant) and leading up to our scheduled delivery date. I've started packing for the hospital but still have a few items to pick up and baby clothes to wash.
My pregnancy has been so blessed so that's probably why we are all wondering where the time went. I can't stop looking and kissing their ultrasound pictures. Today the ultrasound tech could only capture Baby A because Baby B was head down; but they're identical so they should look alike right? I am focusing on nothing but them. My hormones are all over the place and my heart has so much joy I think it might burst.
Thanks to all of you for reading and sharing in our journey. I'll continue with the updates.
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