33 weeks

I really look forward to Wednesdays when I can officially say we're one more week mature.  We had a couple rough days this last week, lots of cramps, low back ache, and frequent contractions, mainly on Sunday and Monday.

On Monday I saw my doctor and was contracting all during the visit.  I was having these weird little 20 second contractions about every two minutes and larger 45 second contractions mixed in about 3 to 4 an hour.  The doctor told me to not count the short ones, only the long, hard ones.  Works for me.  I also told her of all the cramps and backache.  This can be known as back labor, but it can also just be a regular symptom of pregnancy.  Its so fun to try to guess, but our guess this time is that its just due to my getting further along in the pregnancy.  At 29 weeks, when I had pre-term labor, contractions and cramps can feel like nothing while actually thinning and dilating your cervix.  Whereas now, 5 weeks later, what I feel can be more reminiscent of the weeks preceding Lillian's birth.  Everything will feel more like real labor, but that doesn't mean its actually doing anything to my cervix.  Seems a little backwards, but that's just how it is.

At the appointment I told my doctor of my need to get to 34 weeks in order to feel a little more relaxed because contractions and a trip to the hospital at that point would mean babies, no more bed rest.  She then told me that if I went into labor now, they see no need to stop it.  I've had two rounds of steroid shots for the babies lungs, and that is their main concern when dealing with pre-term labor.  So although that takes a little load off, knowing that if I start labor now, it would be my last hospital visit, its still scary knowing that I could have babies 7 weeks premature.

As of yesterday, the frequent little contractions ceased.  Now I have a couple an hour that last about 30 seconds.  They are also so mild that if I were not so concerned and so in tune with what I'm feeling these days, I would easily miss them altogether.

The doctor also let me know that because we've made it this far, and they assume the babies have gained some weight since the last growth scan, that they can most likely handle a vaginal delivery.  At the last scan 12 days ago, they were both head down and ready to go - doesn't mean they haven't or won't flip, but I still feel much more movement up high, so I think their little legs are still up.  I am not opposed to a c-section, whatever gets the babies out safe, but if I can avoid one and do this the way I did with Lillian, that is my preference.

I put on two more pounds, upping my total weight gain to date to 24 pounds (I gained 29 at term with Lilli).  The bedrest is likely helping in my putting on more weight, either because I'm losing muscle, or just the lack of activity to burn the calories I'm taking in.  Regardless, its best for the babies.  They recommend 35-45 pound weight gain with twins, but I will not get there.  It is amazing to me how this pregnancy just snatches every bit of nutrition I put into my body.  And I imagine nursing twins will be just as taxing.  I'll have to learn how to eat like a normal person again after they are weaned.

All in all , its been a good week.  I am satisfied to be here still.  Bedrest is as emotionally draining as it is physically not.  I am happy to still be pregnant, but I very much look forward to the day these babies come, assuming it is a week or two away still.  I will be happy to get back to moving around like normal, and be able to pick up and snuggle my daughter.  Bedrest is actually a good way to prepare for twins in the sense that I will be happy to have more than enough to do, instead of nothing to do.  Now we just pray for everything to go smoothly when labor does start, and pray some more for very healthy little boys.