Monday, June 2, 2014

Babies Bump and 32 Week Update

32 Weeks Looks Like This:


How far along:  The above picture was taken at 32 weeks and 3 days. 
Total weight gain?  I'm still up 42lbs and boy oh boy am I feeling that extra weight!
Maternity clothes?  YES!
Stretch marks?  Still none.... yay!
Sleep:  I still have the blocked nostril issue.  But once I've fallen asleep, it's wonderful... Until I wake up for the every two hours bathroom breaks :)
Best moment this week:  I'm officially on leave from work and that has by far been the best moment of this 32nd week!  I had been plugging away just fine with my job.  I'm lucky in that, aside from client meetings, I get to work from home (which, lets face it, since finding out I was pregnant I would work from my couch rather than from my home office!).  My job, however, comes with a lot of stress.  And I'm not a very laid back person so the normal stress turns into uber-stress for someone like me.  Anyhow, over the past couple of weeks I've really been feeling the stress in other ways, i.e. my severe cramping.  I started noticing the cramping while driving to meetings, while presenting at meetings and while rushing home to my computer to answer all of the e-mails that had come in while I was out of the office.  I mentioned this to my doctor and she said she'd support what I thought was best.  At that time, I figured I could get through the next two weeks, at least, and then re-visit the work situation at my next appointment.  Well, that was until I received a phone call about a platelet issue that I have.  I had my blood drawn at a recent appointment for a total blood count.  The last time I had this done was for my gestational diabetes screening and at that time, my platelet number came back just a little lower than what's considered the normal range (the lowest end of the normal range is 150 and mine came back at 140).  Because of this, it was decided that I would have them re-checked.  Well, this time, my platelet count came back at 61.  So, with that, I was referred to a Hematologist.  In speaking with my OB and also the Hematologist, with whom I met on Thursday, I learned that the problem with this low platelet issue is that should I need to have a C-section (which is very possible with a twin pregnancy), my platelet count would have to be at least 80 in order to have an epidural.  If my platelet count were not above 80, then I'd have to deliver the babies under general anesthesia.  If a C-section were not needed, then I'd have to deliver vaginally with no epidural what-so-ever.  I know that is something that is not impossible and if I had to do it, I guess I could.  I just always thought that an epidural is the way I'd go since becoming pregnant.  So, with all that being said, I'm now on a treatment plan to hopefully increase my platelet count to at least over 80 for my delivery date.  I'm currently taking an oral steroid tablet every morning.  I will be monitored closely in Boston so that my dosage can be increased, if necessary (the one good thing about taking the steroids is that, if the babies come early, it could help to promote their lung development).  If the steroid plan doesn't work, then another treatment would be to have the IVIg blood infusions.  Once I deliver, I'll be followed by the Hematologist to see if this was all just a fluke/symptom from a twin pregnancy, or, if I'll need to be monitored for this condition further.  Most importantly, the babies are OK.  But needless to say, with all of this extra stress, it was decided that I will no longer be working so that I can focus on myself, my babies and now also all of my extra doctor's appointments until delivery.  I can't tell you the weight that not working has already lifted from my shoulders.
Miss anything?  I really don't.  I feel like my life is as full as it has ever been.  Typing that takes my breath away because not too long ago, I never imagined true happiness being something that would present in my life ever again.  Oh my heart.  Sometimes this is all just a bit too overwhelming.  Where I came from to where I am today.  The only explanation is God.  God's hands were all over these two miracles from before they were even embryos.  They are lucky, lucky boys.
Movement:  My boys are still very active.  Their movement is visible to the naked eye and I love every second of their kicks and nudges!
Food cravings:  I think I've officially entered the stage of not even wanting to eat.  I constantly feel full because of the lack of room in my stomach and even if I do feel hungry I can't figure out what it is that I want to eat.  Add gestational diabetes into that equation and eating stinks!
Anything make you queasy or sick?  Still nothing in particular, but anything can still do the trick.  a side effect of the steroids is to have a queasy stomach, so I'm really hoping that my dosage won't have to be increased.  I've had enough of the nausea during the first four months of this pregnancy!
Gender:  LOVE my Boys!
Labor Signs:  None.  Unless you count the cramping I've been having.  At my last appointment, my cervix was still long and closed, proving that the cramping has not started any sort of dilation.  Let's hope things stay that way for at least another 4, 5 or even 6 weeks!
Symptoms:  The same…. linea nigra, some ligament pain on my left side in my hip/upper leg area, nasal congestion, restlessness, some back pain, the weird "rash" on the palm of my hands, general discomfort, sore and swollen feet, lower uterine cramping....
Belly button in or out?  In.  But I just might have an outtie soon!
Wedding rings on or off?  Off.
Looking forward to:  An upcoming week of relaxation and no work.  I have a follow up appointment with the Hematologist and I'm curious to see what a week's worth of the steroid has done (or hasn't done).

Here are some other pictures from week 32 that I want to be sure to have documented:

Ready for babies!  I made an appointment at the local fire department for a Firefighter to install both seats in my car.  While there is now absolutely no room in my back seat, I just love, love, love seeing these little infant seats every time I get in my car to go somewhere.  Totally warms my heart!
Also, I had recently bought two little going home outfits for the boys but knew I wanted to have special hats made for them, so onto Etsy I went... Shannon from Little Buttercup Baby made me these two adorable hats and they arrived this weekend.  They're perfect and are just what I was looking for (they look so big in this picture but really are so tiny)!
I laid the hats out next to their outfits and Miss Queen B(elle) had to inspect everything herself.  Luckily, she gave us her stamp of approval!


25 comments:

Amanda said...

Going home outfits? Carseats? Ahhhh! You're getting so close! I'm really hoping those boys give you time to get the platelet count under control! Praying for some good news the week from the doctor!

the blogivers said...

Thank the Lord your doctor is watching you closely and taking good care of you! I have never heard of that platelet issue before, but how horrible would it be if they hadn't caught it beforehand?? You keep taking good care of yourself! :)

Erika said...

For the life of me, I can't remember who I knew (via blogs, of course) that had that same platelet issue...or I would point you in their direction. But I can't remember. But I'll keep trying. In the meantime, you look fabulous, I love the hats, and I'm so glad you're done working and can focus on cookin those kids for a few more weeks!!!

Kari B. said...

AHHHHH!!! It is almost time!!! You look wonderful. I hope I look as amazing as you when I'm 32 weeks.

Heather said...

(i've never commented before but have been following a long time!) I had low platelets with all my three pregnancies - the lowest being with my second pregnancy. I took the oral steroids weeks 37-39 and they got me back up in the safe zone for an epidural! I'm very thankful for that as I ended up with a c/s. Good luck - hopefully they'll do the trick for you, too.

The Run Away Stork said...

I'm so happy to hear you are done working and can just concentrate on yourself and the boys! I'll be saying some prayers for good news and a big increase in your platelet count. I love the outfits- everything is coming together. So happy for you!

Emily said...

You are already such a great mom, putting those babies first. So happy you're getting a respite from work so you can focus on what matters most. Looking cute as always!

Katie Jeanne said...

Oh my goodness! Car seats? Going home outfits? Hats? This is all SO incredibly exciting for you and your hubby! You look absolutely beautiful and I know you are going to be an amazing mom! I'm glad you are taking good care of yourself and we will continue to pray for you! God's blessings!

shay said...

Wow, that's crazy about the platelet issue, but sending lots of prayers that the steroids help! You look so cute! Can't wait til the boys are here!

Unknown said...

So glad you are off work and can relax! You look so beautiful momma! Love the dog picture, so sweet. Getting so close, excited to see those boys!

Mrs. Lost said...

I'm glad that you are getting to rest and I will be praying that your count goes up! Stress really stinks during pregnancy so relax and enjoy this time. The hats are adorable! And I had no clue that you could go to the fire station to have them install the seat correctly. Great idea!

Thinking of you twin friend!

Sarah said...

It's the final countdown!!! Whooo hooo. Love those hats, you still look fab and now I need to know your IG name since we are due at the same time (even though we'll probably be a couple weeks apart!) :)

Caroline @ In Due Time said...

so glad that your doctor is monitoring you!!!! can't believe how close it is getting!! So excited for you

Ashley Sanderson said...

yay for no more work! I'm also done working and I can't say how amazing it has felt to get stuff done, checked off the list, and then just sit on the couch while my ankles de-swell from walking around too much! :)

Going to the fire department is one of those things on my list. Need to get that carseat IN the car!!! :)

Can't believe we are getting SO close!!!!

A Few Good Eggs said...

Yeah for being done with work and reducing stress. Good for you for doing what is best for you and those babies. Hang in there with all of the bloodwork and I hope those platelets are going up...

You look great!

A Few Good Eggs said...

P.S. LOVE the hats and outfits.

Amie said...

Praying the meds help with the low platelet count so that you are able to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy relaxing now that you are done with work.

Suzanne said...

Oh Aubrey, you are getting so close to your little miracles. I love the hats. They are so cute!! I'm glad you've put work behind you and now you can focus on YOU and your boys! Keep up the awesome work. You're almost there!! xoxo

Katie C said...

Long time reader, first time poster :) Just wanted to let you know that I gave birth twice, once with no epidural (she came super fast) and one with, and I actually preferred the no epidural birth- easier recovery, more in control of my body, etc. Of course, I didn't have twins, but whatever the case, you CAN do it, whatever the circumstances!

Melissa said...

SO glad you are able to stop working now so you can relax! Glad everything is okay with your boys. Thank you for what you said about your life being so full. Lately - just this weekend - i said i don't think i will ever be happy again. And i remember YOU saying that very thing!! So it encourages me to know that this isn't the end of my story. :)

DeNae said...

Congrats on another week of baby growing. I am so glad you were able to start your maternity leave early, but sorry you are going through the issue with your platelets. Glad to hear those precious boys are growing perfectly!

Christen said...

I actually had that same platelet issue. The steroids helped; I was able to have an epidural, although I didn't know that I was able to until I was dilated to almost seven. :)

Will be keeping you in my thoughts! C'mon, platelets! Go up!!

Leslie said...

You look great!!! Hope you are able to increase your platelet count to help with more delivery options! So glad your boys are doing well and hope not working helps them continue to stay inside for a few more weeks!!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful as always! This is amazing!

I hope a break from work lessens your stress and you can fully enjoy these last few weeks (at least five) of pregnancy with your sweet boys. You are doing awesome, Mama!

Amber said...

Gah! That is a gorgeous baby belly! I love it! I got our car seats and a hospital bag somewhat packed just before I went into the hospital as well. It must be mother's instinct, or intuaition, that tells us when those things need to be done...

 
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