This week in baby

So far this week I have participated in:

• A 3.5 hour non-stress test (NST) at the hospital with my new friend, Nurse Heather
• A regular OB appointment with Dr. Carter, including requisite panic attack (mild)
• An ultrasound with the good people at Phoenix Perinatal Associates
• And another non-stress test at the hospital with Nurse Heather

So let's talk about my week in baby.

MONDAY

The average NST lasts about an hour and they key is getting both babies on the monitor at the same time, which in my case was a HUGE problem. I also have to do the test in labor & delivery at the hospital. . .because we're having twins. The test measures their heart rates when they are active and awake. The babies just would not cooperate, and when they did get them both on the monitor they were sleeping. Which is a problem since the babies need to be awake in order for the test to be accurate. It took two cups of cranberry juice, a trip to the bathroom, a walk around the room, multiple position changes, a shift change (!) and finally an an ultrasound to get what we needed. At one point, about three hours in, I asked if they could just call my OB and tell him that "I came, they tried, it didn't work, and we'd try again on Thursday." No dice. And I left my phone in the car, so Dan and my mom was freaking out that something was wrong. Even after I called and explained the situation.

TUESDAY

Went to see Dr. Carter. A little background. I sweat when I get nervous. And I've noticed over the last few weeks that I get horrible hot flashes when I go to the OB and my blood pressure is then a bit higher. A colleague pointed out that it's anxiety, and the more I thought about it the more I agreed. As I told the nurse, I don't worry about getting bad news at an NST or an ultrasound, but I worry that I will hear bad news at the OB's office. So I talked to the OB and he seemed to understand, but I suspect that he thinks I'm horribly neurotic. Which in all fairness I don't think I am. Given the fact that I am 32.5 weeks pregnant with twins I think I've held it together pretty well, physically and emotionally.

Anyway, my OB said that I looked fine, the babies seemed fine, and that if the babies were to come today "32 weekers do great." Bottom line? I am 33 weeks tomorrow. If I go into labor before 34 weeks they will try and stop things. After 34 weeks they will let nature take it's course.

Wednesday

An anatomy scan with the perinatologist. Baby A weighs 4 pounds 6 ounces and Baby B is 4 pounds, 10 ounces. To put that in perspective, these babies combined weigh more than Noah did when he was born. . . and Noah was 8 pounds, 11.5 ounces and a week past his due date. They are both head down, facing my spine, and VERY low. So low it HURT when they scanned me. But the important thing is that everyone is healthy and growing normally. They're getting big and space inside of me is at a premium so it was not possible to get pictures.

My colleagues at work also took me to lunch to celebrate our impending arrival and gave us a wonderful gift certificate to Babies R Us, which I know will come in very handy.

Thursday

Another NST at the hospital with my new friend Heather. My mom came with me this time and as luck would have it we were in and out in ONE hour! Yeah! Today the girls decided to cooperate.

Coming up this weekend. . .

Dan and I are going to going to purchase additional infant car seats and bases for our cars!