Friday, June 5, 2009

The twins are... (13w5d update)

(Once pics are scanned, I'll update this post.)

Last night at 4pm, we had our appointment with Dr. Bailey and I knew by the wait in the office that someone, somewhere had had a baby and that our wonderful doctor was way behind schedule. We took a seat and I read two magazines before we were called back and settled into the ultrasound room at 5pm. It took a few more minutes, but then Dr. B. came in and sat down. We discussed how things were going, how I was feeling, etc. My blood pressure was the lowest it's been in any of my pregnancies (124/76) and I'm down 4 pounds (you didn't really think I was going to post my weight, did you?); he was really happy, especially with my blood pressure. We discussed the P17 injections and I'll be starting those at 16w. We also discussed some additional bloodtests with my second round of sequential tests in a few weeks, and then doing a fasting glucose at 26w. (He can think farther ahead than I can with no problems...) As we ended our discussion, he smiled and said, "I dont know about you; I love the chitchat, but I want to see how the babies are doing!" (And this is why I love you, Dr. Bailey.) Before we began, we showed him our favorite pictures from the high res u/s that we had last week and he chuckled, "These are good, but I can do better." (Have I mentioned that I love this guy?)

We started with an abdominal ultrasound and immediately both babies appeared on the screen. I usually start with Baby A then Baby B, but we saw them in reverse order this time because A decided to try and hide (little stinker!). Baby B was on her back, legs in the air, arms in the air, rolling around like a rolypoly. Absolutely adorable. And then, there it was. Legs open, Dr. B. paused the u/s shot. Three little lines. Her vagina. Baby B is most certainly a little girl. I cried and we let out a sigh as we said her name, "Maya." Maya, who is named in memory of the daughter of a friend- of the first blog I found after losing Nicholas and Sophia and the one that helped me realize that life was going to suck but I would be able to breathe again- had a very strong HB and measured on target. We were able to hear Baby A's heartbeat but the little stinker continued to hide. The baby looked almost upright, with everything below the chest hidden from view. I dont think I've ever seen a baby like that on u/s.

Dr. Bailey switched to the vaginal u/s to check my cervix. The stitch, he tells us, is perfect, beautiful, and looks great. It is very high, right under my bladder and at the top of the cervix, all the way to the bottom. It was slightly curved, so the measurement is slightly off, but a straight line was over 4cm. AMEN. THANK YOU GOD. Still T shaped, he was thrilled and said that he truly believes this is what will do it and get us full term. He slid slightly over and, in full shot, was Baby A. And it was clear that our baby has a penis. Even I could see it. When Dr. B. paused the image over our son, it was very much there and in our faces. Little Bobby- his name is Robert, the name of my brother-in-law who passed away as a child as well as my husband's uncle who died as a child but was called Bobby- was very content to flip flop after that, showing his genitals to anyone who would see. I joked with Peter that I would have to call Dr. Lee and tell her that she was only half right, LOL.

After the u/s, we discussed bedrest and appointments. Dr. Bailey would like to continue seeing us every two weeks and would like me to stay in bed. While he said that he has no doubts that the stitch will hold, he doesnt see a reason to tempt fate, especially when my BP is finally under control. The risk of preeclampsia is pretty darn scary, so I cant say that I'm surprised. We ended up leaving the office a little before 6pm and I picked up the lab slip for my additional tests as I was leaving with pictures of our babies... our son and our daughter. I didn't make it out of the room without crying. As much as I was prepared for anything as long as the babies were safe and okay, I dont know that I was prepared for the same words that I heard over a year ago... And the funny thing is, I wasnt caught off guard.

Peter and I make it a habit to meditate on the babies. We both would say when asked that our RE thought the babies were girls and, if pressed, would give the names we had assigned to the babies, should that be right. But, when we would talk at night, we would discuss our feelings and, inevitably, it all came back to "I felt a boy and a girl today". This wasnt everyday, mind you, but the strongest was at church, when the Cardinal came. I sat there and thought "Oh God, I'm having another set of boy/girl twins". Afterwards, Peter told me that he'd heard the babies singing and that he heard alto and bass lines. (Peter is a bass, I'm a soprano.) He told me then that he really thought Baby A was a boy and that we'd have to wait a bit for Miss Z to make an appearance. I confessed that I, too, had feelings of boy and girl, but that I wasnt ready to say it out loud... That it was too hard... That I just couldnt handle it yet. He just hugged me and said that it was okay. That the babies were fine. To take a deep breath and continue the positive thoughts.

Going into the appointment, I knew what Dr. Bailey would say. I had no doubts. And I cried like a baby when he confirmed it. It was finally out there. In the world. We are having our second set of boy/girl twins, in the same positions that their oldest brother and sister were in. He even said, "After all you've been through, isnt it something to be having another baby boy and baby girl together." All I could say was "It's scary." In retrospect, I wish I'd been able to say something else, but so words would come. I had to joke with Deb, the nurse, on my way out when she congratulated us, to avoid crying. "We have enough clothes for each," I laughed, "so they wont be naked!" And then, I cried walking to the car and in the car. And then, it was okay. It was as though the kids all said "Dont worry, Mommy. It's going to be alright."

So, there you have it. Bobby and Maya. Healthy and fine. Daddy and Mommy. No worse for wear. I have to call in several prescription refills today, get the P17 filled, and make my appts with Dr. B's office (since everyone was gone by the time we left.) My dad is coming over around lunchtime to hang out, then we will celebrate his birthday tonight. And, of course, there's my nap... I'll have to fit that in somewhere...

Thank you for all the prayers. They continue to bring us comfort and are working to keep my cervix closed, the stitch in place, and the babies healthy. We couldnt ask for better this pregnancy.

23 comments:

Alicia said...

Congratulations !! I will continue praying for you guys and your twins. Such exciting news !!

A n T said...

Congrats on confirming Bobby and Maya. Continued prayers being sent your way.

Anne said...

Wonderful news! I am so happy to hear things are going as good as they are. I will keep praying for you and watching for updates on the blog.

Meredith said...

Over from LFCA! I am very happy to hear that Bobby and Maya are healthy, and that you and Peter are doing well. You all will be in my prayers this summer/fall!

Lynda said...

Congrats to you!! I can't wait to see the u/s pic :)

nikki wood said...

YAYYYY Bobby and Maya! You are two of the most loved lil babies in the world. I am so excited for you, it brings tears to my eyes.

momto558 said...

A boy & a girl...that is awesome.Can't wait to see more pictures.BTW..my oldest son's name is Robert.Good strong name.Take care & stay strong..your growing babies:)

Catherine W said...

That is amazing news. I'm sitting here crying for some reason. I am so, so pleased for you both. I'm sure that Nicholas, Sophia and Alexander are so very proud of their little brother and sister and, most of all, their mommy and daddy. xx

Mommy (You can call me OM) said...

Yay! So much fun. :) I'm glad you can now refer to them by name without reservation regarding their gender. You wouldn't want 'a boy named Sue', would you? :)

I wasn't able to comment on the Natural Birth post. I'll say that I used to be a bit cocky in that department. But after reading so many blogs over the past few months, I realize it doesn't matter. There will always be the nagging, competitive spirit within me who wants to 'accomplish' a natural birth. But, I hope my desire for a healthy baby wins out regardless of 'natural birth.'

I absolutely know that you are not saying that you would sacrifice safety for the goal of a natural birth. What I'm saying is, "Please do not put too much pressure on yourself. Take it as it comes." I think that's all we can really do. So much postpartum depression is oftentimes tied into not achieving the perfect birth, feeling like a failure because we 'gave in' to the pain.

Natural birth is a wonderful, desirable goal. Just be gentle with yourself.

Peace.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful names for beautiful babies. I am so glad everything is going well. I loved reading this post. Your joy is palpable! xxx

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! That's wonderful news! :) I will ask St. Benedict and St. Scholastica (twins) to intercede for Bob and Maya. And I'm sure the ones they're named for, as well as their older siblings will be praying for their health, as well as your's and Peter's.
God bless and peace be with you all :)

Anonymous said...

Michele I want to email you something. Can you email me? xxx

Kate said...

So very happy with your news! Maya and Bobby! Oh my goodness, I am all teared up.
So very very very happy for you.

Warmly, sappykate

Reba said...

congratulations michele...i am so happy the twins are looking good, and you know i have a special place in my heart for b/g twins. i will keep bobby and maya there until they come out at full term! big big hugs...keep up the excellent work, mommy (and daddy).

Queenie. . . said...

Congratulations, and best of luck to you in coming weeks and months.

Annalien said...

Congratulations! I will continue to pray for Maya and Bobby's safe and continued residence. God bless!

Kim said...

wow! congrats!

Simbelmyne said...

Wow! wonderful news. I love the messages our babies send us even from the womb.

Sophie said...

Congratulations! This is so exciting, and yet you are probably just as terrified as I am. I hope the next four months or so pass quickly and healthily for both of us.

Misty said...

Oh bless you, and all of the feelings you're are feeling. I'm hanging on right with you. What a wonderful miracle this is.... xo M.

k@lakly said...

Excelleny news!!! I am thrilled for you and your healthy boy and girl! I hope the appts continue to bring this joy into your life and that the next 28 or so weeks fly uneventfully by:)
xxoo

Barefoot said...

What special and wonderful news!! Love the names, and that they're so meaningful to you.

B's Mom said...

Congrats on the babes. Love the names!