23 weeks - 3/28/2021

Week 23: The babies are the size of grapefruits.

 

 

 

These babies are getting to be pretty active, and while a quick jab to an organ can be quite the surprise, it is also very reassuring that that are growing strong and healthy. The kids were finally able to feel a kick on the outside, and after some wide eyes and giggles, I think they finally get there are real live babies in there. My son often says "be careful, be careful, don't break mom" as he tries to jump over me while laying on the couch watching TV. And my daughter likes to put her hand on the belly when we read at night, the boys seem to be a fellow fan of the Emily Windsnap Mermaid books at bedtime. I make sure to play their families voices each night to balance out the crime podcasts I listen to during the day...not trying to get them use to solving a murder in their down time!

What's going on in there? This week the babies' skin is a bit saggy (but won't be for long as fat begins forming) and has a pinkish-blue hue, thanks to developing veins and arteries right underneath. Their little arms and legs are packing more of a pinch these days, which you can see from the outside. The placenta- babies' recently completed life-support system- transfers oxygen and nutrients to baby and removes waster products. 

Next appointment: 4/20/2021  ultrasound and diabetes screening

Feeling: Feeling good! 

 

Weight: 175 lbs

17 weeks to go! (15 weeks until the 38 week mark!)

 

 

 

 

22 weeks - 3/21/2021

Week 22: The babies are the size of bell peppers.

My daughter has come to call the babies Apple and Banana since they were called baby A and B. Apple is head down and seems to punch down and may possibly be kicking his brother, Banana, who is hanging out on top in his little hammock pose and who likes to kick straight out the side of my stomach. Though I think he knows exactly when I get the camera out since he stops kicking as soon as I try to record it, little stinker.

What's going on in there? Though their eyelids are still sealed shut, the babies can perceive light and dark now. The babies’ ears are beginning to hear and process sounds from inside the belly —breathing, rumbling tummy, and heartbeat. And the babies’ nervous system is sharpening their senses, which means their fingers are learning to grab their tiny ears, nose and umbilical cord.

Next appointment: 4/20/2021  ultrasound and diabetes screening

Feeling: Feeling good, babies are getting bigger which is making the belly feel heavier throughout the day, and making my back ache a little at times. I may be slowing down a bit but overall doing great!

Weight: 174 lbs

18 weeks to go! (16 weeks until the 38 week mark!)

 

 

 

Ultrasound Day! 3/19/21

The OB appointment went great. Baby A (aka Apple) is head down and Baby B (aka Banana) is laying sideways on top of his brother laying. Both boys looked happy and healthy, with good heart rates of 139 and 145 and plenty of fluid, wriggling around for their  Momma on Facetime. 

The belly measured at 29 weeks, which the doctor said was normal since there are two in there. The doctor confirmed that we can be measure the babies Kidneys in the OB office so we do not need to return to the hospital for growth scans unless something changes. We will stay with appointments every 4 weeks until 30 weeks then go to appointments every 2 weeks.

We will do the diabetes screening at the next appointment, which is done between weeks 24-28, where I drink the Glucola drink an hour before the check up and they will draw my blood at that appointment. I think we want a glucose level of 135 or lower and we will remain in the clear. If the level is elevated then we do the three hour test at the hospital, though the doctor doubts that will be the case since I have no concerns the last time I carried twins.

21 weeks - 3/14/21

Week 21: The babies are the size of bananas.

 

 

 

The boys are staying active, especially when I have a cold drink! Their little kicks get stronger every day. We are at the point where bending over squeezes the air out of my lungs so things on the ground stay there a bit longer these days. 

What's going on in there?

Your baby's arms and legs are in proportion this week and his movements are now much more coordinated. Your baby-to-be's liver and spleen have been working hard producing blood cells, but now bone marrow spaces are mature enough to help as well. While the placenta is still #1 when it comes to nourishment, now your baby takes in small amounts of amniotic fluid, too.

Next appointment: 3/19/2021  ultrasound

Feeling: Good overall, a little more tired these days and the belly gets that heavy feeling when I’m on my feet. 

Weight: 172 lbs

19 weeks to go! (17 weeks until the 38 week mark!)

 

 

20 week Anatomy Scan Ultrasound! 3/10/2021

Today we got to see the boys for an extended visit. All their bone measurements looked great and their heart rates were 141 (12 ounces) and 143 (13 ounces). So basically perfect little ninjas! Baby A is on the left and head down and Baby B is on the right and breech/sideways. We got to clearly see they are both still boys! Luckily they cooperated pretty well to get all the needed measurements, and we got to see some cute little wiggles too. 

At the end of the visit with the ultrasound tech, she said that each baby had one (the opposite side for each boy) "slightly predominant" kidney (slightly larger). She said it was so close to the size where they wouldn't have even said anything but since it was right over the limit, she asked for the doctor to come in and double check her measurements just to be sure. Then the doctor came in, who was very pleasant and chatty (she has a sister in Connecticut and two guinea pigs whose cages her husband does not like to clean) and looked at the kidneys again. She said they ignore anything under a size of 4 and the boys were measuring at 4.7 so she suggested a Maternal Fetal Medicine Consult to review more, though she said not to worry since it was so close to the being "normal". The MFM fellow arrived shortly after and was also very pleasant. She was very reassuring right away, asked about some medical history then said how common this is, that it will most likely resolve itself, and "honestly doesn't see the need for these consults for something so common." (big exhale)

She said that if there was only one baby in there she would suggest a return visit by 32 weeks to check in if the OB thought it was necessary, but since there are two in there and we get scans every 4 weeks there will be eyes on the kidneys anyway, and that if the OB felt comfortable with twins and measuring then they could monitor the kidneys at those visits and we should not need any additional monitoring. It sounds like we will discuss it at our next OB visit on the 19th and go from there but she was not in the least bit concerned which was a huge relief. 

You always go into these scans with the hope that all will be perfect so hearing anything other than that can be concerning, even if minor, especially when the parents are not in the room to ask all the questions that may be spiraling around their heads. Luckily the team was very good about covering all aspects and  this seems like another little bump in the road, that will hopefully turn out to be just another part of the beautifully chaotic journey!

Nine more days and we get to see these little ninjas again!

20 weeks - 3/7/21

Week 20: The babies are the size of sweet potatoes.

 

 

 

We have hit the 20 week mark! The boys are partying it up in the there and make themselves know first thing in the morning. Their little flutters have turned into little jabs so we know they are getting stronger. We will get an up close and personal look at the little womb-mates this week during the 20 week ultrasound so hopefully they are nice and calm and ready to show off that morning.

What's going on in there? The boys are still working hard on their sucking reflexes and may even suck their thumbs if a hand drifts close to their face. By 20 weeks, your twins' eyebrows have started to grow, and they're sprouting hair on top of their heads. This hair may change in texture and color once they're born. There's also a lot going on inside your babies' heads. The areas of the brain responsible for taste, smell, hearing, sight and touch are now developing. When your babies are born, their sense of smell will be one of their most developed senses.

Next appointment: 3/10/21  anatomy scan ultrasound

Feeling: feeling good, sleeping well, and still have a good amount of energy, however bending over can knock the wind out of me!

Weight:170

20 weeks to go! (18 weeks until the 38 week mark!)

 

19 weeks - 2/28/2021

Week 19: The babies are the size of mangoes.

We are officially HALF WAY to getting these boys back out and into their parents arms. Since I have had two previous c-sections, they will schedule us ahead of time for a c-section around 38 weeks which would be July 12th! The previous twins I carried arrived at 35 weeks and 4 days, both around 6 pounds and healthy. The hospital where we deliver requires time in the NICU if born before 35 weeks so while our goal is to get to 38 weeks, another goal would be to get to at least 35 weeks to avoid the NICU if possible. My OB said last time that my body "remembered labor which could have explained why I started dilating around 34 weeks last time. So far this pregnancy has been uneventful (other than the whole twin thing! lol) so I think we will cruise right to 36 weeks then let these babies decide when they are ready to come over that next two week period. Happy and healthy is the #1 goal!!

What's going on in there? This week the baby's sensitive skin is now covered in vernix caseosa, a greasy, white, cheese-like coating that protects his skin from being wrinkled at birth and their lungs are developing, with the main airways (called bronchioles) beginning to form this week.

Next appointment: 3/10/213/19/2021 ultrasound

Feeling: More tired some days but overall feeling great. And feeling a lot more movement throughout the day!

Weight: 169

21 weeks to go! (19 weeks until the 38 week mark!)