WK23: Day 3 - Home Sweet Home

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.

WK22: Day 7 - Pain Glorious Pain

It's been a very uneventful end to the week. I’ve literally eaten, slept and done odd bits of house work here and there. I manged to waddle my way to Tesco on Friday to buy some milk and bread and um’d and ah’d at the milk refrigerator as to whether I should buy 1ltr or 2ltrs. Stupidly I went for 2!  I also came out with a half price wok which at first I thought could be a good idea so I could balance out the weight on each side. I soon realised that neither purchase was very clever and nearly had to abandon both half way home. The weight of my bump is definitely enough to carry!  

I've been on a continuous loop of sleeping and eating this weekend and when not doing that I seem to be moaning about pelvic and back pain, trying to get comfortable on a sofa or hunched on all fours over my gym ball. Even taking paracetamol and my trusty cures of a hot bath or my hot water bottle don’t seem to be helping now. I’m trying to embrace the pain LOL (is that possible!) as we are going to need to get acquainted over the next while. I’m hopefully on track with my weight gain as I’ve been doing some serious eating the last few days. Lots of protein, diary, carbs and fresh fruit and veg.

I sadly missed one of my oldest and dearest friends wedding yesterday. Traveling to South Africa in my condition wasn’t really going to be an option. I can’t wait to see the pics! Congrats again Mon and Teddy, love you both loads xxx

I’m really looking forward to a busy week ahead with doctors and specialist appointments, friends visiting and an antenatal course with Tamba. Bring it on :)

WK10: Day 5 - Tamba

I decided to call Tamba today, the multiple birth charity who the sonographer gave me the number for. I wasn`t sure what I was going to say but needed to speak to someone. I was transferred to Twinline (their phone support service) and spent a good 45 mins talking to the counsellor about my thoughts around continuing with the pregnancy and the fears that I have about caring for and carrying the babies as well as getting the right care for myself. She was so calming and gave me some very solid advice about taking a step back and slowing down. From our discussion she made me realise that it is still very early days and anything could happen in such a high risk pregnancy. I decide I need to wait until my next scan which will be at 12 weeks as well as seeing the specialist for their advice and take it from there. I won’t lie I was getting quite frustrated that it had been four days and no one had yet called me until finally (4 and a half days later) I received a call late this afternoon from the hospital confirming an appointment for the 2^nd Nov (10 days’ time).  We decided to tell a few more friends and family today as we need the input of a few more people to hear their thoughts. We got some very mixed reactions, but mainly sheer amazement. I just keep thinking if only money wasn’t a factor this would be a far easier path to take. This week has been filled with lots of tears and laughter. I have started reading some of the other quad blogs on the net. How inspiring! The pics and videos make me smile and fill my heart with warmth of what could be. I can’t stop myself from imagining life with the quads and a family of 7!

I feel like I am getting bigger by the day, still feeling incredibly ill and sleeping every minute I can. I can’t stop thinking about the changes my body is going to go through and I’m quite scared about it all to be honest. I managed to get off quite lightly with Luke. No stretch marks and my body seemed to regain its shape on its own without any problem at all. Looking at pictures of other quad mums and their bellies, it’s quite obvious that I’m not going to have it so easy this time. I wonder if I will ever fully recover. It’s hard to take this all in and I feel really sad about the reality. 

I’ve been trying lots of things to cure my morning sickness this week, the best have been;

• Ginger beer – the proper burn stuff
• Ginger shots – from the amazing food market near my work. They knock your head off but keep the nausea at bay for a good hour
• Jacobs Cream Crackers – boring I know but they really help.
• Fizzy water with fresh lemon
• Tic taks – but I just end up eating them one after another which I’m sure can’t be good.
• Dried mango and apricots