Hospital Tour

On Monday night, Andy and I took a tour of Christ Hospital where our babies will be born. We saw a birthing room, the nursery, NICU, and an after-birth recovery room. An operating room wasn't shown to us, but they are also available for moms having c-sections. Christ Hospital delivers around 4,000 babies every year. That averages about 11 babies a day!

Gestational Diabetes

My doctor ordered a gestational diabetes test for me to see how my body is handling sugar during the pregnancy. Many may know how this test is performed, but for those that don't, I'll explain. First, it's a good idea to fast for 10 to 12 hours. Then, after you arrive where the blood is being drawn, a bottle of sugary liquid is handed to you to drink. I was told it tastes like flat 7-up. This was pretty true and pretty sweet too. Some people actually vomit after drinking this solution and have to repeat the test a different day. Everything stayed down for me. :) After an hour, the blood is drawn. When I see my doctor next, she will let me know the results. If she is concerned, I am sent for another test where you drink the sugary liquid again and the blood is tested every hour for a 3 hour period. Only after these results test positive too, would the doctor give a diagnoses of gestational diabetes. Of course, I am praying against this disease.

Video of a twin c-section

This is a link to a twin c-section. The mother is having fraternal twins: one boy and one girl. For those that aren't into blood and guts...it's not gross to watch. :)

http://www.fitpregnancy.com/csectionextras

24 weeks

Nancy Bowers, author of The Multiple Pregnancy Sourcebook says, "With twins, you should try to gain twenty-four pounds by the first twenty-four weeks of your pregnancy, or about 1 pound every week." Today, I am twenty-four weeks and have gained twenty-two pounds.

Also, at twenty-four weeks the babies have reached viability. Because of medical advances, babies born after this point have a very good survival rate. However, Bowers notes, "Babies at greatest risk are those born before thirty weeks gestation. These extremely preterm babies are much more likely to have serious and lifelong complications." I'm still praying they stay in much longer. Thirty-seven weeks is full term for twins. We have thirteen weeks to go.

Breastfeeding Class

Tonight I attended a breastfeeding class. So much was covered: benefits of breastfeeding, how your baby should latch on, different positioning, what the baby's stool will look like, how to know if the baby is eating enough, selecting and using a breast pump, how to store breast milk, etc. I found the information to be very helpful and know it will come in handy.

Cruising in style

This is the car seat style that was selected. The infant car seats will also be used as part of the girls' stroller while they're babies. The girls will love cruising around town come springtime. Thank you Gary and Pat for their car seats and stroller shell. Pretty in pink!

How are the girls?

Today's ultrasound appointment went well. Both girls look great. Baby A (the closest to my cervix) is in a breech position. Baby B is kind of lying in a transverse position. One baby is 1 lb 1 oz and the other is 1 lb 3 oz. My cervix looks good so I do not need another ultrasound until 4 more weeks.

Appointment

Tomorrow is another ultrasound appointment. I get to see the babies again.

The doctor

Today's doctor appointment seemed to go well. She was a very nice lady. I would be very happy to have her deliver our babies. Only one thing seemed a little off. My urine dipstick was a darker green than it should have been. The nurse (or maybe she was a medical assistant) seemed to think maybe I didn't pull the dipstick out of the urine sample fast enough. My blood pressure was good - 110 over 80 and my feet weren't swollen. The babies' heartbeats were good and my stomach measured well. These are good things. Also, the doctor never mentioned the darker dipstick to me, so it must be okay.

Flu Shot

This is an article that talks about receiving the flu shot during pregnancy.

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/37376/title/Flu_shot_in_pregnancy_protects_newborns

I will be sure to discuss this with my doctor tomorrow.

Doctor Appointment

Tomorrow we have a doctor appointment scheduled. The lady we will be seeing is possibly 1 of 4 doctors that could deliver our babies. I'll let you know how it goes.

Cribs

Last night my mom, Dan, and I went to Carson's Furniture Store to make the final decision about cribs and order them. We all decided on this style and we think the girls will love it. This particular crib converts from a crib, to a toddler bed, to a double bed. It's a "build to grow" crib.

This is the link if you'd like to see the style we chose:

http://youngamerica.stanleyfurniture.com/youngamerica/ViewInRoom.do?nav2=YNURSECRIB&sku=825-94-320&nav1=YNURSERY

Thank you Grandpa Bill and Grandma Lil Nelson for this purchase!!! We know the girls will love their beds! :)

Baby at 21 weeks in the womb

This is what a 21 week old baby looks like in the womb.

http://www.parentingweekly.com/pregnancy/pregnancy_information/ultrasound1/21wk.htm?nz=439&sz=3064967&wz=21&dz=10/3/2008

At 21 weeks

Today I am 21 weeks pregnant. I have gained a total of 17.5 pounds. Doing good! :)

A class and a tour

Today I registered with Christ Hospital for a couple of things. First, I will be taking a breastfeeding class. I really need this class so that I'm not confused and unsure trying to figure it all out after the babies are born. The second thing I signed up for was to have a tour of the Labor and Delivery Area where our babies will be born.

The planner in me knows that taking these steps ahead of time is a good idea for me, the babies, and everyone that will be around me when the babies arrive. :)