I
honestly didn’t think I would be writing this post title so soon,
but as I type I am sitting in my hospital bed where I have been for the
last three days! I went for a doctors appointment on Monday morning and
mentioned that I had been having some tightenings and lower back
cramp/period type pain again. The doctor advised that I should call the
Fetal Medicine Unit where I am seen by my specialists immediately and go in for a
check up. Well I did, and after measuring my cervix they were suitably
worried to admit me. I am very happy to say that things have settled
down now and I am no longer getting the pains and tightenings, however
it looks as though I might be staying in hospital for a while, it may be
a long while... There have been lots of discussions between the
specialists around where the best place is for me right now and to be
honest I still don’t think we have a definite answer. I’m in two minds
myself about the whole thing. On the one hand I think it would be good
for me to be at home for as long as possible so I don’t use up all my
hospital sanity before I really need to. On the other hand I will need a
high degree of looking after and Marts currently at work all day and
then looks after Luke in the evening. It will be quite difficult for me
not to do things when I should be resting! I’m also keeping the family
awake at night with my constant movements up and down to the toilet and
to eat. At the end of the day I just want to ensure these babies
stay in as long as possible so I will get my head around any situation
which I need to deal with! I think the specialists are going to need to
guide me on this one as I can’t decide.
I have already been spoiled by my incredible friends with visits and all kinds of lovely goodies to keep me happy. THANKS guys you really are the best. I also had a lovely gift from Lizzie, a reader of my Blog, of some Doublebase Gel to help my itchy belly which I can’t thank you enough for, it’s amazing!
So back to the usual weekly updates; we had a scan today and they are all doing really well! My continual eating seems to have paid off as baby 4 did me proud and hit 1lb 5oz (610g), I’m quietly very pleased about that :) All the others are 1lb 3oz (between 552g and 545g) which is amazing. As we're being scanned so often it’s important not to analyse the weights and measurements too much as a normal comparison period would be every two weeks. Otherwise there were no problems raised and the only other discussions were around when and if to start giving me Progesterone and letting me know that they will start my steroid injections from next week (24 weeks). The Progesterone hormone will be given as a vaginal suppository and could help prolong my pregnancy. Here is an interesting article on the subject http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/pretermlabor_progesterone.html. The steroid injections are to help the babies lungs mature so they have a better chance of breathing on their own or with limited help when they are out of the womb. There seems to be so much positive feedback from mothers of prem babies to the benefits of the steroid injection. I am not sure on how many times a day/week I will be given one, but I will have them until the babies are born. I am also been given a daily injection of Clexane into my stomach (so painful!) to stop blood clotting, so I’m feeling a little invaded with medication at the moment. All in the name of the healthy arrival of the boys!
We also met with the Neonatoligist and went for a tour around NICU today. Both were quite difficult sessions but we are feeling far more informed about the viability of the babies survival and care at each week they may be born prematurely. Difficult decisions needed to be made around these topics so that the medical staff and everyone else involved in the birth and care of the babies would know how to react and proceed when I to go into labour. I’m glad it’s over, but also so glad we’ve done it as it’s made us feel a lot more confident about that side of things
I am being let out on good behaviour tomorrow evening to go to my Tamba antenatal class, so I should have a wealth of interesting information to share with you tomorrow.
I have already been spoiled by my incredible friends with visits and all kinds of lovely goodies to keep me happy. THANKS guys you really are the best. I also had a lovely gift from Lizzie, a reader of my Blog, of some Doublebase Gel to help my itchy belly which I can’t thank you enough for, it’s amazing!
So back to the usual weekly updates; we had a scan today and they are all doing really well! My continual eating seems to have paid off as baby 4 did me proud and hit 1lb 5oz (610g), I’m quietly very pleased about that :) All the others are 1lb 3oz (between 552g and 545g) which is amazing. As we're being scanned so often it’s important not to analyse the weights and measurements too much as a normal comparison period would be every two weeks. Otherwise there were no problems raised and the only other discussions were around when and if to start giving me Progesterone and letting me know that they will start my steroid injections from next week (24 weeks). The Progesterone hormone will be given as a vaginal suppository and could help prolong my pregnancy. Here is an interesting article on the subject http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/pretermlabor_progesterone.html. The steroid injections are to help the babies lungs mature so they have a better chance of breathing on their own or with limited help when they are out of the womb. There seems to be so much positive feedback from mothers of prem babies to the benefits of the steroid injection. I am not sure on how many times a day/week I will be given one, but I will have them until the babies are born. I am also been given a daily injection of Clexane into my stomach (so painful!) to stop blood clotting, so I’m feeling a little invaded with medication at the moment. All in the name of the healthy arrival of the boys!
We also met with the Neonatoligist and went for a tour around NICU today. Both were quite difficult sessions but we are feeling far more informed about the viability of the babies survival and care at each week they may be born prematurely. Difficult decisions needed to be made around these topics so that the medical staff and everyone else involved in the birth and care of the babies would know how to react and proceed when I to go into labour. I’m glad it’s over, but also so glad we’ve done it as it’s made us feel a lot more confident about that side of things
I am being let out on good behaviour tomorrow evening to go to my Tamba antenatal class, so I should have a wealth of interesting information to share with you tomorrow.
Hi Emma,
ReplyDeleteI've bumped into your husband a few times (I'm a Mum to young twins) and he directed me to your blog.
I'm pleased to hear things have calmed down for you and you are all doing well. It sounds like you are in very capable hands.
I am now addicted to your blog so please keep posting the updates. You are doing so well! I was only carrying twins and I moaned and moaned and moaned. ;-)
Enjoy the TAMBA talk. I found it really useful.
Best wishes,
Ali
Hang in there hon you're doing fab, as a mum of twins I don't know how you do it!!!
ReplyDeleteEmma I have been reading your blog with interest . I had my twin girls at 25+1 in September 2008 and they are now amazingly happy and healthy little girls. We were at Southmead NICU for over 20 weeks and you could not be in a better place it is totally superb and they are all angels. I regularly go back as a volunteer and with my girls - it is such a remarkable unit and has such good results if your babies do arrive earlier than planned. I am now also pregnant with no. three and am due on the 14th May.; I have also been a regular visitor to the pre term labour clinic every fortnight at Southmead and they have been great. I have been on progesterone since week 12 and I honestly think that it is working wonders as my cervix continues to get longer not shorter! They are a little messy but a small price to pay.
ReplyDeleteWill be keeping my fingers crossed for you and your little ones.
Rebecca
aww love catching up with your blog,fingers crossed the little boyos stay put for a while longer yet,i remember the steroids with my twins,and def made a difference,
ReplyDeletetake care and keep rested
love seeing your bump pics ,so gorgeous makes me broody :)xx
Hi Ladies
ReplyDeleteSorry it's taken me so long to reply! I've had quite an up and down week. life in hospital seems to suck it out of you a bit.
@Ali - how lovely to hear from you! Thank you so much and I'm really glad you enjoy reading the blog. I will definitely keep blogging :) x
@Rachael - Thanks! sometimes nor do I ;) x
@Anonymous - Thank you so much for posting your comment, that gives me so much hope! I have been frightened to breath sometimes in fear they they are going to come to soon. The realty is that they may and it how they will take to life on the outside world and we'll cope which will be the next challenge. Thanks for your comments on the Progesterone as well. I will find out tomorrow if they will start me on it. Keep in touch I hope everything is going well for you in your pregnancy. I would be due on the 15th May if I was carrying a Singleton : ) x
@mummyoftwinsplusone - thanks for taking the time to reading my blog. Finger crossed indeed :) x