31+4 with DCDA twins and just looking for a bit of companionship during the countdown...

[legallyblond]

.... That's it really!

I have an almost 3 yo DD (she'll be 2.11 if they arrive when anticipated) and am still working full time (10 hour days as a lawyer) and, just this week, the exhaustion has hit. I'm planning to work until 34 weeks and have an elcs booked for 37+3.... It feels a long way away!

I am starting to get nervous about it all (I have been nervous throughout though!):

• nervous about bf - I ebf DD until we did baby led weaning and then carried on bf until she was 2, but a bit scared it won't work with 2, also becasue no sign of leaking colostrum and much smaller boobs than last time... and I never pumped or gave DD a bottle (of either my milk or formula - she was a total boittle refuser), so will be clueless (and disappointed that I'm not giving them the same as DD) if bf doesn't work or they're in NICU...
  

• nervous they'll be permature - I really, really want to make it to 36 weeks at least and would LOVE for them to just wait until the elcs date (for practical reasons like childcare too!). I had a "scare" at 23/24 weeks when my cervix was v short so I had a cervical stitch to prevent them coming. It did the job (my cervix doubled in length and has stayed long) so I am VERY grateful for getting this far, but stilll.... I dread the thought of NICU...
  

• nervous about the elcs and the recovery - I had a natural birth last time (albeit with an episiotomy, so recovery wasn't a bed of roses) so have no idea really... plus there's DD.. eek! I have chosen elcs becasue (a) they're transvers and breech now; and (b) in any event, I am uncomfortable about the potentially avoidable risks of an induction gone wrong... (that is despite being induced with DD at 40+12 and it being ok - G&A only and episiotomy the only real complication)..
  

• nervous about life with a toddler and twins. Need I say more? Still, I keep telling myself, I know what to do with one, so worst case, I just do everything twice, right??? In a sense, I feel pretty confident about my mothering ways (basically the opposite of Gina Ford I'm afraid!), but do keep hearing everyone saying how awful it will be with twins and how I MUST get a routine. I actually loved the newborn stage with DD and found it pretty easy (bf was great for me), so I am nervous that my bubble is about to be burst...
  

I guess all this is normal but just wanted to vent / share! Plus share the ride with those in a similar position....

[Linguaphile]

Cornwall--aaaaa, so exciting they're here! Love the names, by the way. :) Really encouraging to hear about your breastfeeding experience too (well, maybe not the chomping part, but great that they're good latchers). Keep up the good work!

Anda--so sorry about all the fuss and bustle - that must be frightening! Good they're monitoring the babies so much, though. Is it pre-e they're worried about with the bp and urine? Not long and you'll have two gorgeous, healthy babies to love!

I'm sooooo ready for these babies to come out. The consultant thinks Twin B may have cracked one of my ribs, and I'm also getting the most awful stabbing/burning pain at the top of my belly that they say is ripping muscles. :( I feel like I'm carrying around a litter of puppies! Cannot wait until they're here.

[legallyblond]

Hey anda, sorry you were whisked in again yesterday. I assume its pre eclampsia they're monitoring for, in which case I'm sure 48 hour monitoring is enough. Have they filled you in on all the signs of it worsening / an eclamptic attack? Weird vision, headaches, swelling, feeling "out of it" etc. When I had my cervical stitch, the woman next to me on "ante natal" (v surreal - post op for me at 24 weeks) was 33 weeks and worsening fast (her bloods were showing the biochemical changes of full on PE), but even there, in hospital, the consultant said they would make the decision to get the baby out or not on a 24 hourly basis (I could hear everything!)... So given its not even PE for sure and, if it is, its early stages, 48 hours will be fine! If they had any real worries, you def wouldn't be allowed home. I don't think you'll make it to planned c section date though.... ...

[legallyblond]

Oh and lingua - cracked a rib!! Poor you, must be agony. So nearly there though.... You've done amazingly!

[Linguaphile]

Thanks, Legally--all totally normal, I'm told! Just ready to have them out.

I'm in Day Assesment for monitoring this morning because I woke up to contractions coming so strong and fast7 in 45 minutesthat they made me feel nauseated. They went away, but was told to come in to be checked. Monitoring looks okay except twin 1's heart rate was a bit sporadic, possibly because of all her movement! I've been told to wait for a bit now because the midwife thinks the doctor should see me. Thinking everything is probably okay, but better safe than sorry! Would love for them to hang on until 37 weeks if possible, which is still 9 days away...

[legallyblond]

Hope they stay in Lingua.... I have 36 weeks in my head for some reason... That's always been my goal... And that's 12 days... But my ideal is the booked c section date of 37+3!

Have you had lots of braxton hicks before? I have never had a single one, not with DD (an I got to 42 weeks) or these twins... Do they think they are just bh or actual contractions?

[Linguaphile]

Just finished the appointment and all looks finecervix is still closed and long, babies both head downso it looks like they'll be in there at least a little longer. Apparently BH can be quite painful; I've had a few, but nothing like these! Doctor said it's normal and to just keep an eye out for when they are really regular and don't let up. Phew. My parents will be flying in a week from today, so I'm just wanting to hang on until then!

[Cheerymum]

Lingua, so glad to hear all well, thinking of you lots.
I have had masses of BH since about 20 weeks - intense enough to stop me in my tracks but not actually painful. Think I have some muscle tearing/stretching pain under my ribs though - OUCH to your cracked rib, must be v painful.
Legally - my goal is simply September!! Will be 35 weeks then. Actually just getting through this week would be good
:-) I feel so much pressure in my bottom all the time I'm scared I'll be one of those women who goes to the toilet and accidentally finds the baby fell out!! Sorry if TMI!!
If I do end up with a totally planned section I reckon it will be before 37 though as these are MCDA.
So exciting that we will all get to meet our babies soon though.

[legallyblond]

Lingua- glad its "just" Braxton Hicks!

Cheery- Sept is my goal too (I'll be 36+1 on 1 Sept)! But obviously 37+3 and the planned date would be wonderful...!

[andadietcoke]

How's everyone doing? lingua sounds like a very reassuring appointment! I've found my BHs are worse in the evening. They're not painful though, but when I was on the monitor at the hospital they were going off the chart so must be fairly strong.

I ended up being admitted overnight on Monday after four consecutive days of trips to mat triage for BP issues and PE symptoms. They've upped my labetalol and I've got home visits today and Monday and an appt at ADU on Friday.

37+1 today

Did anyone watch The Midwives last night? I really wish I hadn't - the twin birth terrified me! I basically spent an hour in tears.

[Linguaphile]

Anda--that episode was terrifying! I was sobbing watching those little babies not breathing on the table and seeing the dad praying for his wife and babies... Makes me really scared to have a natural labour now. DH was like, "What on earth are you doing watching that show?! You know it's only going to make you anxious!" Le sigh. Praying for healthy babies and uneventful deliveries all 'round. Really sorry you've been in again with the PE stuff. Making it to 37+1 is a great success story, though! Maybe they'll just decide to take the babies a little early to be on the safe side with the symptoms you've got? ;)

I'm 36 on the dot today and my ribs/abs are killing me. Twin 2 has turned back so they're both head-down, but her little bottom is now snuggled right up under my ribcage, which is murder on the cracked one! Just a little less than two weeks, though, and I'll have babies to show for it. Final scan on Friday to determine if they're still go for a natural delivery.

[Cheerymum]

Anda you are there at full term! Your planned section must be only a few days away. Great result.

Glad I missed midwives from the sound of it ...

Lingua, you too are practically there, good luck for Friday's scan, and hope the sore rib isn't making life too miserable.

I have a repeat growth scan this afternoon. I'm really hoping to keep going at least a couple of weeks longer (33+2). It's a fortnight now since they first scared me and gave steroids etc but they're so vigorous inside me that I find it hard to believe they're struggling.
I officially started mat leave yesterday. Yay! (Though have been on A/L for 2 weeks before). Roll on September.
I had been hoping for a normal delivery but its off the cards for the time being. Am going to discuss with them today about whether it becomes a viable option again if we get closer to term and they are well ... had my daughter vaginally and had hoped to limit the damage to one zone if the safety of either route is even! Though I am perhaps losing my bottle now.

Good luck all for the deliveries you want, when you want them. Thinking of you.

[Cheerymum]

Yay! I had excellent news today! Both growing! 1 a bit smaller but they are MUCH less worried. And I might even get a normal delivery if I'm lucky!

[Linguaphile]

Ah, that's great news Cheery! So glad that your little ones can cook a bit longer!

[andadietcoke]

Brilliant news Cheery. Must be such a relief! Now you can relax for a little while!

[Cheerymum]

Thanks, Lingua and Anda! Had a little celebratory snooze on the sofa this pm!!

[legallyblond]

Yay, Cheery, I'm thrilled... I guess Sept is looking likely now... Only 9 days!

[legallyblond]

Oh, and despite having DD naturally, c section still on the cards here as they're both breech. At the beginning, I chose a c section anyway... But I might now be torn if twin 1 were head down... Almost glad not to have the choice really!

[legallyblond]

Anda, how are you doing with the PE symptoms....?

[Linguaphile]

Morning, girls! Going in for my 36+2 appt in about an hour and am excited it's my last! Babies still v active and no signs of movement, so I'm praying my cervix ripens up a bit before my membrane sweep next week.

Took a stroll down the road yesterday to pick up some bits at M&S and started BH-ing again, had to sit down because they were making me light-headed. Stupid cramps. Been a bit nauseated as well, thinking it's just flu stuff. Blech. At any rate, I'm super uncomfortable. Walking, sleeping, sitting, standing.... it all hurts my back and my belly. Do anyone else's upper abs feel like they're being stabbed and/or burned? My poor muscles are ripping apart, I think. And then there are the stretch marks, which I thought I'd escaped until a few weeks ago and which now are spreading like the plague. Can you tell I'm feeling sorry for myself today? :)

[andadietcoke]

legally home visit on Wednesday was great - tablets seemed to be working. Have an appt at the ADU today for bloods, BP and monitoring and I have an absolutely banging headache which isn't shifting with paracetamol - really hope it's not a sign that the tablets aren't controlling my BP, but the swelling in my ankles and feet has reduced, as have the visual disturbances.

lingua oh dear (but yay for the last appt!). I have an awful stabbing pain at the top of my bump if I twist or get up funny. Feels like something is tearing/ripping inside!

I thought the babies were supposed to run out of space at some point? Mine are wriggling like anything - last night I was quite alarmed by twin 2!

[Cheerymum]

Anda hope you are ok. Glad you are having a checkup in view of that headache.
Lingua hope 36+2 appt was ok.
Legally - I feel a bit thrown by having the choice again! I was told it had to be Caesarian because of the growth probs, but now that seems to have resolved I have the option again (though only if I labour spontaneously before 36+3 or so) and its difficult to know what's for the best!
I too have muscle ripping type pains at the bottom of my rib cage/top of tummy. And constant feeling of twin1's head in my bottom (sorry if TMI! But am practically afraid to use the loo in case she falls out!!) Otherwise not too bad (except piles, backache, rubbish sleep etc ...) but it will be a relief to "be delivered" whenever that happens.

[legallyblond]

Let us know how the check up went Anda... Lingua, hope yours was ok too!

I'm not suffering too badly with the muscle ripping etc yet... 2.5 weeks to go though, so plenty of time. The main think us the extraordinary shapes that my bump throws.. Feels v different to DD who was head down by now... And it means no pressure in the bottom/bum (which I remember well!), just kicks, like little stabs, in my cervix!

[andadietcoke]

Meh. Urates still high in bloods, but BP lower and urine clear. My home visit on Monday has been 'upgraded' to a repeat visit. At the moment although the urates are high they don't want to deliver early - that will be reviewed again on Monday.

Hoping the weekend goes quickly and that the babies are wriggly - they've been quieter tonight and it really worries me, even though I've been on the CTG this afternoon!

[Cheerymum]

Anda, must be very stressful having so many check ups and not knowing when they will just get on with it. If the babies are still a bit quiet, don't delay at all, go back in asap and say so, and get back on the CTG. Don't worry they'll think you're a PITA - their welfare and your stress levels are much more important and they really won't mind.
Legally, the shapes can be so bizarre, can't they? I am pointy to the left, and sometimes go really angular like a pyramid!

[legallyblond]

I agree Anda, just go back in if they're quiet. It must be difficult, especially as we know this isn't "early" at all for other hospitals, but the perfect planned date (eg I am booked for 37+3 as that is "optimal" according to them die me!).....