In the vast sea of pregnancy symptoms, I have been truly lucky so far. I am not saying it has been super easy, but it hasn't been that bad. Considering, I'm carrying twins...I cannot help but think that this fact is a miracle. I've heard other women throw up, have feet that swell beyond recognition, and I even knew a girl who couldn't swallow her own saliva. She just carried a spit cup all day. Sure, I was queasy in the beginning. Quite queasy, in fact. And exhausted. But I made it through. I even did a show. I gagged at some smells, but never got sick. Mostly pork products. I had to wear a bandanna with a dryer sheet in it once when I smelled pork...I looked like a bandit, but I was smelling Morning Fresh. Now that I am 17 and 1/2 weeks, the nasty part of the first trimester is long over and the "honeymoon" phase of the 2nd semester is in full swing. I can eat meat again. Just not in large quantities. I even ate bacon, but so far that is all the pork product I can handle. My biggest symptom now is insomnia. I am wide awake quite a bit of the night. I think I sleep for about 3 hours, wake up for 2, sleep for 2, then I'm fitful until I rise. The doctor says it's hormones. I think it is that mixed with anxiety. My mind races and I have crazy dreams. I can never seem to get comfortable. For some reason, I'm getting used to it. I don't like it, but alas, it is what it is.
I am becoming increasingly freaked out by the fact that there are, including mine, three heartbeats in my body. Seriously, that is hard to wrap my mind around....three!!! I have been feeling the little twosome for about 2 weeks now. Not constantly, but every once in a while. I have the little tickle-flutters from both "Left" (Frick, Baby A) and "Right" (Frack, Baby B.) Yesterday, "Right" gave me a solid kick and it surprised me. "Right" is closer the surface and is a little easier to feel.
I went to the doc yesterday and all was well. I'm gaining weight on schedule, but I am stunned that I haven't gained more. Amazing considering the amount I eat. It is important with twins, who have notoriously low birth weight, to eat a signifigant increase in calories. But, I'm eating healthy for the most part, which helps them grow appropriately and helps to prevent me from turning in to a house. Next appointment, I have a genetic ultrasound. This procedure is like a regular ultrasound, but WAY more detailed. It looks for defects in the hearts, brains, bone structures etc. and gets measurements and weights, etc. Plus, we can find out the sexes. Now, both Matt and I (more me than him) have gone back and forth on this question. Should we? I want your opinion, people. Chime in.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
A Mere Shadow of What's to Come
Several folks were wondering what I look like during all this....well here I am! I truly just started to look really pregnant (instead of just chubby) these past two weeks. With twins it is normal, as you can imagine, to look a bit big. I am measuring at about two weeks ahead of a single pregnancy....that means at 14 and 1/2 weeks...I look like 16 and 1/2 weeks. I imagine I am going to be pretty darn big! So this artistically taken photo, (poor MP has the flu and still took a cool pic) was taken in the early afternoon...catch me after dinner and I look even bigger! I still am not in maternity clothes..but I can't button my pants. I got a stretchy little thing that helps keep my pants up in the meantime. Someone is making a boatload of cash on that invention. I went to the doc yesterday, heard the babies heartbeats using a dopplar. They are big enough for that now. Everybody is doing well...including me. I haven't gained any more weight, but I don't see how that is possible. I'm eating more than I ever have....strawberries are top of the list right now. Mmmmmmm. In fact, I'm going to get some right now!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
WOW! Two's Company.
Here we are in cyberspace! And by we, I mean all four of us. Yes, I said four. A mom-to-be, a dad-to-be, and TWO babies-to-be. Can you believe it? I certainly could not. I mean, few folk's baby dreams include two high chairs, two cribs, two carseats...etc. However, it is an unbelievable blessing. The journey to this place has been long and riddled with tests, uncomfortable procedures and a funky surgery. MP (el Daddio) and I had been trying for about a year when a series of doctors poked around (literally) to discover I had a uterine fibroid that was most likely the reason for my inability to conceive. Darn fibroid. It took another several months and some agresssive tests to discover that it was huge (baseball to me is huge.) Regardless, speed past a few other ugly scenarios and I had the surgery in June 2007. I gave "birth" by cesearean to said baseball and was left with a lovely scar and the hope of actually being able to have a baby.
Fast forward six months and I'm back in the doctor's office again. "Why am I not pregnant?" I asked. I was patted on the back, told to try one more month and then they would start with some "assisted" fertilization....turkey baster fertilization...how romantic. Then, as a fluke, for MP's birthday, I decided to take a pregnancy test. I had long stopped buying them after many disppointing attempts at peeing on sticks. $11 a pop is kinda expensive when all you are left with is plastic with pee on it. Lo and behold...positive. I took another, also positive. What? A blood test later and it was confirmed. Pregnant! Yipeee! About two weeks later, MP and my queasy self went to the doctor to have a quick early ultrasound. Dr. JA was working the machine and wand and there appeared a little bean on the screen with a heartbeat...I was in the middle of saying "Ahhhhhh..." when he moved the wand to the right and said "And here's another one..." Huh? What? Excuse me? I began, with mouth agape, to giggle and Dr. JA sounded (in my ears) like the teacher from Charlie Brown. "Whaa-whaa-wha-whaaa-wha-wa" Thank goodness, MP had the wherewithal to ask some pertinent questions. So, no fertility drugs needed. No assistance. These twins are natural, baby!
Now, at almost 15 weeks, they are healthy and, along with their mama, growing fast. My two little beans have grown to large peaches and we have had the good fortune of already having 4 ultrasounds. (I am triple high risk due to my surgery, age(??), and having multiples.) We've seen them bounce and shake their little bootys. Very funny!! Active little peaches. I have been feeling little flutters here and there. Due to being reasonably slim (not for much longer) and the twin factor, I can feel them a bit earlier than someone with a single pregnancy. Wild. They've already been onstage in two shows...but mama's taking a hiatus from the boards for a while to focus on incubating and finding a job. ( I was laid off...but I'll save that for another time.) Until next time, say prayers and keep us in your thoughts.
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