Monday, March 12, 2012

Twins on the horizon


I know I abandoned my blog when I had Brody, as this was a place to share bump pictures and updates, so I thought I could revive it with my pregnancy with the twins.

When we first found out we were having twins, shock and disbelief are the only things that could describe our feelings. The thought never even crossed our minds and there we were, at seven weeks, finding out our whole world would change. And boy, did it. Several days later, I was called into the doctor's office and was told that they thought the twins were mono-mono, which means they share a sac and a placenta. This diagnosis carries a very high in utero mortality rate, high rate of defects, and high rate of fetal demise during birth, along with brain damage and exceptionally early delivery (about 32 weeks gestation). We were devastated. We were referred to Maternal Fetal Medicine/High Risk at Maine Med but they would not see me until I was at least ten weeks along, in order to make the most accurate diagnosis. It was 2 1/2 weeks of hell, not knowing if the babies were going to make it, not knowing what was going to happen, and being incredibly sick and tired through all of it. We prepared for the worst. What we got was a misdiagnosis. Our babies are mono-di, meaning they have the same placenta but a dividing membrane in the sac. I am still considered high risk with identical twins, but the doctors believe I should carry full term with limited complications. So we can now enjoy the pregnancy, as much as one can enjoy being pregnant.

I have been incredibly ill, resulting in one visit to the ER and constant phone calls to the doctor. I know that it will get better someday but it doesn't help right now. It also doesn't help that I am chasing after a crazy almost-two-year-old.

And now, gratuitous bump shot. 13.5 weeks.