Babies: 26 Week Update

Look how precious they are.  I am so in love with them!!  They are both super healthy, active, and weighing in right on target for gestation.  Parker is now a full 2 pounds- she gained a half a pound in 2 weeks!  Jolie is 1 pound 13 ounces- still slightly smaller than her sister, but has been that way since our first sonogram at 6 weeks.

2 weeks ago they were both head down and on separate sides of my belly, and at the sonogram on Tuesday Jolie was in her usual place on the right side, but Parker was all up under my ribs and in her sister’s space.  Her little feet were down by my right hip, and the sudden jabs in my ribs I’ve been feeling were arm punches.  This whole time I’ve been blaming precious Jolie for it;)  Parker is wrapped around her sister like a snake.  It doesn’t surprise me at all, laying on my right side all the time is probably uncomfortable for her.  So she made her way around to the front- less smooshing there.

Momma: 26 Week Update

Babies ‘passed‘ the appointment with flying colors.. momma, not so much. My belly is now measuring 37 weeks (4 cm larger than 2 weeks ago–I’m growing at super high speed! ) and after reviewing the results of my sonogram Dr. Walsh observed some significant funneling due to the weight of carrying two babies.  My body is clearly preparing for delivery- and it is way too early for that right now. Apparently I’ve been having mild contractions causing this funneling to occur (I don’t even feel them).   I started Procardia (a blood pressure medication that is also used to prevent preterm contracting) on Tuesday and I’ve been put on strict bed rest. We return for another sonogram on Friday morning to see if bed rest has improved or prevented any further progression.  If it appears that the funneling has progressed, I will be put in the hospital for observation and labor prevention.. until when?  TBD.

Yowza.

So many emotions.  I’m so bummed.  Defeated.  Sad.  Wrecked.  Disappointed.  Helpless.  I’ve been crying nonstop.  But, according to my OB, there is nothing I could have done to prevent this- and I know because I asked, more than once. The weight of what would be a full-term singleton- and I have at least 11 more weeks to go- is just too much for my body to handle, and simple gravity has taken it’s course.  How could this happen when just two weeks ago I had ‘a cervix of steel’?? 

Walking into the appointment on Tuesday I was nervous, but the anxiety was related to the fact I was taking my initial glucose test, not because something was going to be wrong with me.  My cervix is still measuring at a 3+ (which is a positive!) But, 2 weeks ago I was at a 4+.  My OB is confident in my cervical length, it’s just the funneling that has her concerned.  I was just was so sure all was going to pan out perfectly.   I was going to reach 37 weeks without a problem due to the simple fact that we have gone to every appointment and been praised for how well everything looks and how well I’ve been carrying these babies.  How naive and ignorant. 

I know and have faith that God is in control, and He has His perfect reason for it all.  Trusting and believing in His plan for me and these babies is really hard.  But, He didn’t develop the human mind to figure out the future, and trusting in His way is all we can do at this point.  

*Proverbs 16:9 “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” 
*Psalm 25: 4-5 “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
*Philippians 4:4-6 “Rejoice in the Lord always.  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to the Lord.”

My hope is that I go in on Friday and she sends me right back home because bed rest is working. Praying so hard for that.  I know doing all this right now will possibly allow me to bring them home with me from the hospital- instead of leaving them in the NICU.. or even shortening their stay in the NICU if it comes down to that.  

I am so thankful to my sweet friends and precious family for the constant confirmation of love and support through these past couple of days.  I have been fearful, tearful, angry, and confused with all this.. but it is so awesome to know you have others leaning into you when you need them most.  After our doctor appointment on Tuesday I was an emotional wreck and in no condition to have company. Wednesday, all day, people were in and out to visit.  Almost every neighbor in the cul de sac stopped through to say hello, bringing sweet treats and magazines for me (none of which knew anything about my new condition on strict bed rest), and then last night I was completely spoiled by Ashley– who came toting a slew of books and magazines, flowers, and a bag of goodies for me to enjoy while laid up in bed.  Shortly after her arrival, Jacqueline and Travis (and my favorite baby Landon) came with (more) flowers and yummy dinner in hand.. and more snacks, sweets, and love for me and my baby girls.  I cannot express what these tokens of affection did for my spirits yesterday, and have continued to carry over into today.  It is amazing to see God’s work to use those around me for physical support, and by no coincidence did our sweet friends and new neighbors make their presence to be with me on this first (and still emotional) day of full out bed rest.  

I know this is totally worth it in the end- just trying to get over the initial realization of it all.  Attempting to stay positive and waiting for Friday morning seems like eternity.  Ok.. enough of these tears.  I’ll keep you posted for updates as they come. 

For now, just pray.