34 weeks - yeah!

Well we made it.  We are very excited.  Babies born at this point might need some NICU time, but if they are otherwise healthy, it could only mean a couple of weeks.  I am very fine with plugging along here on bed rest for a couple more weeks if we can avoid NICU time altogether.

I had one of my twice weekly non-stress tests on Monday, and it came back with great results.  Babies' heart rates and movement are just what they like to see.  What this also tells us is the placentas are still working well.  Back two and a half weeks ago at our last growth scan my doctor thought baby B's small size could be attributed to the breakdown of the placenta.  And that does not appear to be the case after all.  We have another growth ultrasound this Friday, and my hope is they will tell us the babies are within the same percentile or even higher from the last growth scan.  I really think the rest and eating a bit more might be helping to get more nutrients to the babies.  Or it is very possible our last scan got the babies right before they hit the typical 32 week growth spurt.  Regardless, I feel huge.  And despite some third trimester puffiness in my face and limbs, I feel the size of my belly has grown exponentially in the last two weeks.

Photos do not give justice to enormity of belly.

After the non-stress test, I went across the street to see my doctor.  I was a bit shocked to see that I gained five more pounds in one week's time.  Wow.  Eating more and doing nothing is paying off in the weight gain department.  Last week I said I would not hit the recommended 35-45 pound weight gain advised for twin pregnancies.  I am now up 29 pounds from pre-pregnancy, and I honestly feel I could go another couple weeks.  So it is very possible that I could reach that recommended weight gain.

I am more confident this week that I can maybe make it another couple of weeks because after much debate, my doctor and I decided we should do a quick cervix check during the visit on Monday.  I have so many contractions that I actually started to fear that I would go to the restroom one day and come out with a baby (I've been watching WAY too much silly television with stories of such things happening).  I was fairly convinced I was 3cm dilated and could start active labor at any point.  Turns out I was wrong.  No change since last check two and a half weeks ago, which was barely even a change from when I was admitted to the hospital in pre-term labor 5 weeks ago.  As of Monday, I am holding at 1 1/2cm dilated and 60% effaced.  My doctor's exact words were "I feel much better about that cervix at 34 weeks than at 29."  Good deal.  However, it could all change at a moments notice, and this week I'm not so great about realizing this.

I have a tad bit of a false sense of security.  Yesterday I spent much of the morning on my feet sterilizing breast pump bottles and writing many thank you cards.  I started packing a bag for Lilli (for when we do go to the hospital and she goes to her uncle's house) and put away the rest of the boys new clothes that had been sitting out.  I'm nesting, no doubt about that.  Everyday my list of to do's gets longer, and I really have to remind myself to rest.  Though yesterday my body did the reminding before my brain could get involved.  My back gets so tired after standing for even just a little while, I have to lay down.  I am pretty sure by the time I have these babies I will have no muscles left.  I will have to take it slowly when I can actually pick up my 25 pound toddler again.  I don't want to throw out my back completely just when I have my body back.

The last five weeks have been a journey, and one I'm not sure I'm ready to end just yet.  I am becoming very ready to not be pregnant anymore.  The belly has taken over my body.  I really cannot state how bizarre my once small innie belly button now looks.  I sure hope it goes back to some semblance of its former self.  But despite my readiness to not be pregnant, and my fear of the belly button metamorphosis, I am a little reserved about what will come after babies are born.  I am not sure I'm totally prepared for the chaos just yet.  Though I am not sure I'll ever be.  So whatever days of peace and quiet I get from here on out are thought to be a gift, for me as well as these growing babies.  If I could drink champagne right now, I would.