17 week check-up & ultrasound!

We started working on our gender-neutral baby room yesterday.  The room is going to be silvery-gray with white trim.  Then, we can add color on the bedspreads and crib sets.  The plan was that Dave and his friend would work on this project and I would lay low.  Of course, I'm such a control-freak, I had to be up there helping a bit.  I started feeling a not-so-good pressure and stopped after a few hours and laid down.  When I woke up this morning, I had menstural-like cramps and a back ache.  Not good.  Fortunately, I was already scheduled for my 17 week check-up this morning.  Weight:  155 lbs. Heatbeats:  140's and 150's.  She said I am measuring at 20 weeks, even though I am 17 weeks.....due to it being twins. Things looked good.  They were very concerned about the cramping, especially since they have me on "watch" due to past surgeries on my cervix.  I was supposed to see the specialist at Strong tomorrow so they could ultrasound and measure my cervix.  The doc called and asked if I could get in today.  I could, and Dave and I went in.  I had the anatomical ultrasound!  That was the coolest thing ever!  It look over 1.5 hours and we saw everything.....including 2 penises!  JOY!  I think Dave was a little bummed, because he wanted a boy/girl.  I'm delighted to have all boys!  We are both very happy.  All the measurements look good.  The babies wouldn't cooperate and turn over so we couldn't get a profile picture.  They are both upside-down and head-to-head.  The measurements show them to be 7 oz. (baby B on my right) and 8 oz. (baby A on my left).  Baby A was very active.....and usually he is the quieter of the two.  I would have guessed that baby B would be bigger, but not so.

So, back to my cervix.  It should measure 35mm.  Mine measures 24mm.  Anything under 25mm is cause for concern.  We spoke to the doctor at length.  There are options:  sewing my cervix shut, vaginal progesterone, bedrest.....but none have proven to help at all.  In fact, sewing your cervix shut has resulted in very premature births.  His best advice is to have some repeat measurements and listen to my body.  When I'm feeling pressure or cramps....lay down!  He also recommends sitting whenver possible and avoid lifting.  They can take me out of work whenever I feel it is too much.  So, not much of an answer, I guess.  He says we have to get to at least 28-32 weeks for there to be good chances of survival and no health issues, if I were to go into premature labor.   He says we have a 7 in 10 chance of things going along okay.  That kind of freaks me out.  No premature babies, please!

15 week check-up

Two good heartbeats today!  The rates are 139 and 140.  My weight:  154.  I think that's a 9 pound jump since the last post.......and I think I need to slow it down a bit!  I've definitely started to show.  The doctor is sending me to see a specialist at Strong, who I will continue to see throughout the pregnancy.  This is due to the surgeries I've had on my cervix.  They need to make sure my cervix can hold tight.  If not, I'm looking at a surgery to stitch it up.  And lots of bed rest.  In another week, I'll go in for blood work for neural-tube defects and Down Syndrome.  That just gives us the probability of there being a problem.  If the probability is high, we can continue with more tests, like an amniocentesis.  Next appointment in 2 weeks.  And, by the way, I'm feeling SO much better now.  AND, I have been feeling movements for this past week.  Very cool!!!!