March Multiple Moms Check-In Week of 1/16

direwolfmini · January 2017

Hey Ladies,

I thought maybe we could change it up and not have actual questions this week. Just post whatever you'd like to about how you're doing, how the pregnancy is going (or how the babies are if they're here already).

I miss having a place to talk about multiple pregnancy when this thread isn't posted.

Anyway, if this doesn't work, please feel free to add some questions!

anonellis · January 2017

Good idea! I agree we don't need formal questions anymore.

did all the FTMs (I think that's most of us) find pediatricians, and if so, did you come up with any twin-specific questions to ask them in advance? I couldn't really think of many except they did want to talk about breastfeeding issues etc.

I was hospitalized and am out now but expecting these babes earlier than before. I absolutely hated the continuous monitoring that I now understand is a huge reason people prefer birthing centers. It is SO hard to keep twins on heart monitors and I was basically trapped and paralyzed overnight (even then, the babies still kicked them off regularly and people were constantly in and out trying to adjust them while I tried to sleep, perfectly still, on my back). Just one more thing to look forward to that I hadn't thought of!

direwolfmini · January 2017

@anonellis I ended up picking my pediatrician based on the suggestion of the twin mom that taught the Twiniversity class that I attended. She doesn't live far from me and suggested her own pediatrician. The doctor I picked is the mom of 22 year old TRIPLETS so really, she asked me multiple specific questions that I hadn't even thought of! @AandDM2014 she carried her triplets all the way to 33 1/2 weeks and only had to deliver then because she developed preeclampsia. There's some hope to keep your babies cooking for a long time!

This office is about a 20-30 min drive from me, BUT they have Saturday AND Sunday hours (they serve the orthodox community nearby, I'm not Jewish but appreciate all of the appointment options), they have walk in hours in the morning and evening, and extended evening hours. They also have 4 lactation consultants on staff AND require all vaccinations. I new before even sitting down with the doctor that this would probably be my pediatrician.

24 hour monitoring sounds awful. I'm not looking forward to that.

I had to go in for an emergency non-stress test and it was comical trying to chase down two babies. My breech Baby A kept flipping from breech to vertex to breech during the test. I guess its comforting to know that he can still flip, and I might not be destined for a c section.

The outcome of that emergency appointment: I have something called SPD: Symphysis pubis dysfunction. Basically, my pelvis is separating in preparation for birth WAY too early and causing me excruciating pain. My doctor wrote me a note to have me work from home for the remainder of my pregnancy. This isn't something my company ever does, but I might have the upper hand to make them because my former boss's last day was Friday... so I'm currently doing my job and his. I THINK I can get them to allow me to work from home for at least 2-3 more weeks. If i work until Feb 1st, I would get paid a higher rate on my maternity leave because it would include my annual raise. Fingers crossed this works out.

I've also been prescribed antidepressants. I have a history of depression from my teen years on, but have been dealing with it med free for the past 5 years. This pregnancy has truly tested me (in addition to other outside stressors like my husband being out of work, my boss quitting in the middle of my third trimester, and the anxiety of having to deal with my crazy MIL after the babies are here...). I haven't decided whether or not I'm going to take the antidepressants yet. I know that they'll help, but there is a small chance that the babies could come out and go into withdrawal from them. There also appears to be a link between Zoloft and Autism, so I really don't know what I'm going to do about it... I would love my children regardless, but with a disabled husband I'm not sure I could handle two disabled children as well. On the other hand, I won't be any good to my family if I end up getting majorly depressed. Its a lot to think about.

Thanks for reading my novel!

anonellis · January 2017

I wish I could give you a hug! We are having really similar pregnancies -- I have SPD too! Although after going into preterm labor I'm on modified bedrest for that and it's making the SPD affect my life a little bit less. The hardest part for me is that the best way for me to get comfortable had been to sit up very straight and cross-legged, which is a position I can actually still get into but is EXCRUCIATING to get out of / stand up after being in. And rolling over in bed, which I feel like I have to do all the time, is also so painful!

I will say that my baby A finally flipped head down at 31 weeks and has stayed that way (i'm 33 weeks now) so try not to worry that it's getting down to the wire. Now that he's head down, I am constantly convinced that I feel him somersaulting or that what I feel down low is definitely his feet kicking my cervix. Apparently it never is. And while he's still head down they somehow have a ton of room to move around in there so there's still hope!

I don't have any wisdom on the pros and cons of taking the Zoloft, but I do hope that at least expressing these issues and having your doctors take them seriously is helpful to you. I'm usually skeptical of all the research on autism links because it seems like you can find that link for anything, but I trust you're doing your own research and going with your gut!

WF7968 · January 2017

So glad you started this post this week! @direwolfmini Hugs! You have lots going on and lots of hard decisions to make. Remember to take care of yourself. Like you said, you're no help to anyone if you're out of commission. @anonellis - Hugs to you too! Hospital bed rest sounds tough, but it sounds like you are carrying those triplets like a champ! Apologize in advance for the rant fest/whiny-ness. Having a tough week. I have definitely hit a wall. 33 weeks and 5 more weeks might as well be eternity. January is a really busy week for me at work and I feel like all my energetic is being used at work and then I have none left for DD or house reponsibilities. I'm usually pretty patient with her but by the time we get home I've usually just run out of steam which I feel so guilty about. H works at night so he does morning reponsibilites for her and our 3 dogs and I do nights alone. I want the babies to cook as long as possible but then feel. like how much more can I take. Then I feel guilty for that. I also love my job which is pretty demanding and at times I think I just want to go on bedrest and be done here and then I feel guilty for that. On top of all that, we got discouraging news this week at our growth scan (first scan since 6 weeks ago). Babies are growing 4 lbs 1 oz. 27% and 4 lbs 2 oz. 28%. However their heads (which have previously been proportionate to their bodies have not grown much. One is 4% and the other is 5%. This landed us a trip to the MFM next week. My doctor seemed calm about it and different offer mcn explanation other than a possible bad measurement. Of course me and H google though and the possibilities are bad measurements or really scary things. Trying to remain calm and have faith till the MFM appt. Ok sorry for the rant. Sounds like we are all having a bit of a hard time this week, but I just want to say this is so much harder than my singleton pregnancy, so pat yourselves on the backs ladies because we've made it a long ways!!

direwolfmini · January 2017

@anonellis YES to everything you said about getting comfortable. I keep sitting cross legged forgetting that it SUCKS to get out of that position. I have to psych myself up to rollover in the middle of the night and grit my teeth the whole time. Lately I've been sleeping on my back at an incline. I have a leachco back n belly chic pillow that I use with two king sized pillows and a regular pillow to create a decent angle to sleep that is comfortable, and is great if I have heartburn. The problem is that I've NEVER been a back sleeper. I can't wait to be able to sleep on my stomach again!

Good news: My company OKed work from home up until I deliver/go on leave because I can't take it anymore. I really can't believe it!

Bad news: apparently they were planning a surprise baby shower for me tomorrow, and now I won't be there!

I would always roll my eyes when I'd hear _______ causes autism, because it seems like a scare tactic (ie antivaxxers). I need to just do a whole bunch of research this weekend. I just don't want to be the reason that my babies don't have the best chance at a fulfilling life. I think I'm going to hold off on the antidepressants to see if working from home full time (my work commute was what was giving me the most anxiety) makes me feel at least a little better.

direwolfmini · January 2017

@WF7968 That is super stressful! I'm sorry to hear that the ultrasound went poorly. Fingers crossed that they tech just got bad measurements. I had a new tech this past Tuesday for my appointment, and she ended up getting incorrect heartrates (they were like 169 and 180 which is WAY too high for this stage), and was thankfully able to correct before involving a doctor or the MFM. I've found that the ultrasound techs at the MFM are much more confident in everything that they are doing. Also, their machines seem way nicer. Hopefully that helps!

It seems like we are all having a bit of a rough week. On some level, its good to know that I'm not just being a baby, but it also sucks to hear that you gals are also going through similar issues! From what everyone is telling me, this is to be expected from a twin (+) pregnancy... Of course, many of the people telling me that have either never been pregnant or only ever pregnant with singletons.

Have any of you joined twin /multiple mom groups either in real life or on Facebook? I've found the local twin mom group I joined to be the most reassuring thing that I've read on twins, honestly. It is good to know what things will REALLY be like down the road, and to see that other people have gone through this and come out the other side.

Finallyhismrs07 · January 2017

Hi ladies! I have been completely mia for the last couple of weeks. My twins are really doing well. Getting bigger and stronger every day. Still looking at a couple more weeks in the nicu. I still think about you ladies all the time. You can do these last few weeks!!!!

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