Thursday, November 5, 2009

24 Week Ultrasound and Perinatologist

Wow. I can't believe I'm at 24 weeks. That's a big one in baby land as it's "viability week" meaning that IF the babies had to be delivered today they would have a 50% chance of survival. I am so thankful that I have no worries these babies are coming out this week, but I do feel like I've cleared a major hurdle.
What's even crazier is knowing that since twin pregnancies come early, and the average is 34-36 weeks, that we could have babies in our house in (GULP) 10 weeks!! That is some crazy shit to think about.
Every morning I talk to them and tell them they are just fine in my tummy and to hold tight, we still have a long time to bake. Don't come early babies! We want you as full term as possible even if I'm moaning at the end "get them out of me"!

Some of you may remember that I had a bad experience with my OB concerning my weight gain and the fact they weren't really treating my pregnancy any different than a singleton. I did find a perinatologist soon afterwards and I have been twice now. This practice takes a much more active approach to the twin pregnancy concerns and I've been very happy. The ultrasounds and doctor's offices are in the same building, so I only have to go to one place to get everything done which is great even if it does mean for a long stretch of time. There is more 'waiting' time here, but everyone is super nice and really knowledgeable. I go every two weeks, because they really want to keep a close eye on me. Oh, and they thought my weight gain was right on track.

Here are some stats:

20 weeks, 4 days
cervix 3.9
placenta is still very marginal
Baby A= 153 HB, 14 oz
Baby B= 157 HB, 14 oz

22 weeks, 4 days
cervix 3.9
placenta is low, but not marginal anymore!
Baby A= 140 HB, 1 lb, 2 oz
Baby B=152 HB, 1 lb, 2 oz
both are measuring 2 days ahead

22 weeks, 4 days
cervix 3.8
placenta is low, but OK
Baby A=151 HB
Baby B=144 HB
Both are measuring right on target

This last u/s they could not get good measurements (or photos) because both Chicklet and Shadow Boxer were facing toward my spine, but since they had done a major scan 2 weeks before, they were not concerned and both babies seemed to be doing great.
My blood pressure has been great and no protein in the urine, so I've been given gold stars as well.
Next up in two weeks: Gestational diabetes test and checking of the iron levels.

Here are some new photos in 3D! I must admit we almost didn't post these because it looked like our children had enormous noses. Then we looked at some other 3D photos and realized all of the babies noses look huge and squished, so we stopped being stupid and vain. And anyway, when Chicken was concerned about the nose size, I just said "hey don't look at me, I'm just the surrogate!"

Here is Shadow Boxer being swished by Chicklet. I think that's Chicklet's butt in SB's face.
20 weeks, 4 days
Chicklet with arm up by face; 20 weeks, 4 days
Chicklet with both arms up; 22 weeks, 4 days.
Shadow Boxer curled up with an arm; 22 weeks, 4 days.

7 comments:

Clark said...

wow what amazing photos! i knew theoretically that twins squash each other in there but it's a whole different thing to see it in 3D.
I meant to comment on your belly shots you posted saying that you look amazing - and I remember thinking that you might only have about 10 weeks to go! Very exciting.
Oh and I'm glad you found a better doctor. The other one didn't seem to be as supportive as all doctors should be.

tbean said...

Happy Viability Chicklet and SB. Thanks for sharing these amazing photos--you really do have two babies in there! Hope the mom visit is going okay. Can you corral her into doing baby-related things? Like working on your registry or setting up a bouncy seat or something? Just trying to think of shared activities that are low-key and/or in-home.

mama bea, bao in the oven said...

those photos are so freaking cool.

CJ said...

That's awesome! And their noses are perfect!

Next in Line said...

Those are some pretty fancy smancy photos Puff.

Hanen said...

Aw! Amazing! They are just beautiful!

We saw a really cool video in our birthing class which showed twins who you could *see* reaching out to one another through their separate sacs in the womb - and then when they were little, their favorite game was to stand with one of them either side of a curtain and to poke one another - just for old times sake! The point of the story was just that babies can remember some things which happen to them in the womb - but what an amazing experience for twins!

(so I wonder if this means Chicklet will make a habit of sitting on Shadow Boxer's face?! In a loving sibling way, I'm sure!)

Anonymous said...

I'm just catching up on my reader here. Congrats on 24 weeks - that's amazing! Now, stay put, babies! The pictures are so cool - they look happy and well-adjusted already.