July started off with a few fun things to celebrate July 4th. On the 3rd, we went to dinner and watched the fireworks in our hometown with my parents. It was nice to be able to spend the evening outside and fireworks are always something I enjoy watching. Then, on the 4th, my parents came over to grill out for dinner...what else do you do for dinner on July 4th?? I so enjoyed time away from the bed to celebrate the holiday.
The next Monday I was back to doctor appointments. We went to the hematologist for a follow-up appointment. He determined that I would need to come back for another iron infusion. After the appointment, we went with my dad to the American Red Cross for him to donate blood for me in case it would be required after delivery of the twins. The 11th of July I returned to the hematologist for a third iron (Venofer) IV infusion. A couple introduced themselves to us while my iron was infusing. The wife was several months into a pregnancy with their first child. The husband said a month after they found out she was pregnant they discovered she had breast cancer. She was receiving treatments as long as possible while pregnant and would require more after her pregnancy. I thought my pregnancy was hard and scary until I met this woman. She was so strong and had a positive outlook that I was motivated by her to keep my head up!
After this appointment, we went to the next appointment with my OB. This appointment was spent examining the babies complete physical profile, meaning they measure the head circumferences, abdominal circumferences, arm and leg lengths, and blood flow through the umbilical cords. There was some dispute between a few of the measurements on Baby B, so they sent us upstairs to a maternal-fetal specialist. They repeated the ultrasound and obtained a few better measurements. Baby B was so far up in my ribcage, it was hard to get an accurate abdominal measurement and Baby A was so far down in my pelvis it was almost difficult to obtain an accurate head circumference. In the end, they were able to determine that the babies were measuring fine and most importantly, the blood flow in the umbilical cord was excellent. At this OB appointment, I also discussed with my doctor that I had been experiencing stronger, more frequent contractions at home. She checked me and determined I was already 1cm dilated/60% effaced and determined that I should stay in the hospital overnight for observation of the contractions. So, over we went to the hospital and I spent the night hooked up off and on to the monitor. I was having several strong contractions fairly regularly. The next morning, my doctor came around and said I was ok to be discharged but would need to take a medication, Procardia, to help slow down the contractions since at this time I was only 33 weeks and 5 days. Her goal was to get me to 35 weeks since the boys would more than likely not have to spend any time in the NICU after delivery.
The next week, I returned with my sister to the American Red Cross for her to donate blood for me after delivery. My OB was not convinced I would require any blood post-delivery, but wanted to be proactive and ready in case I did. I was much more comfortable knowing that if I required any blood after delivery it would come from my own family and not a stranger. The 18th, we were back at the OB for another physical profile on the boys. The measurements, again, were great for the boys and I was now dilated to 2cm and 80% effaced. I was able to go back home and would continue the Procardia until 36 weeks if I did not deliver before.
The weekend was long but relaxing until Sunday the 21st. That morning I noticed I was having some upper right quadrant pain on my abdomen and a sharp pain to the right lower quadrant. I rested and rested and it went away for a while. However, that afternoon, it came back even worse. Brad called the on call nurse and we were instructed to head on to the OB-ER to be checked out. They hooked me up to the monitor and did some lab work. The blood work showed that my liver function studies were elevated. They were concerned about preeclampsia that could lead to pre-term labor. So, I was kept overnight again for observation. My blood pressure stayed slightly high overnight and when my OB rounded the next morning she informed me that the best plan of action would be to go ahead and induce me to deliver the babies that day. So, the plan was put into action and once a bed opened up on the labor & delivery floor I was moved down there. Wow! This was really happening! I was really going to see my little miracles very soon!! The day we had waited for over the last year and a half had finally arrived :)
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