Birth Story & The NICU....One Year Ago

Bryce Spent 1 month in the NICU          Starting weight 5lbs 1oz      Leaving weight 8lbs 14oz
Lilly Spent 3 months in the NICU           Starting weight 2lbs 14oz    Leaving weight 5lbs 1 oz

As a new parent and a first time parent of twins that I waited so long for, the NICU was not something I wanted to experience, but got to experience first hand. Here is my story.........

2006 started to try to conceive on our own, no luck.

2007 saw countless amounts of OB's and fertility specialists.

The first one tried everything for 8 months when he gave up on me and told me IVF was my only option and that he couldn't help me anymore. We new we couldn't afford IVF and thought about getting a loan but we decided to maybe see another specialist first

Next I went to a new fertility specialist where he tried artificial insemination and no luck the first try. Was going to try again when he decided to retire and I had to move on.

2008 my new insurance kicked in a work and was informed they would cover IVF 100%, so off to the IVF specialist.

After countless appointments, cycles, ultrasounds and medicines we ended up on June 8 egg retrieval day. June 11 replace fertilized eggs and then June 25th blood work for count.

Back to June 11th. We arrive at our appointment and all the way there I am supposed to drink 26 ounces of water and never go potty. All the way there the bladder is getting fuller and more painful.
Finally we are settled in and I tell the nurse I am about to explode, she says here is a cup go to the bathroom and fill it up, when you do stop peeing mid stream and hold the rest. I am thinking yeah right who can start peeing and then just stop? But I do as she says and it was a relief but so couldn't wait to pee the rest. It wasn't even 20 minutes and we was ready to go but before we went back Dr. Odom came in the room and informed us that I had 15 eggs survive out of the 18 retrieved and out the 15 only 11 were viable, they choose the 2 best ones and they were not in the best of shape. One was fragmented at 20% and the other at 30%. But he says we have placed eggs in before that were fragmented this bad and women have conceived off them but I will say you don't have but maybe a 5% chance. We decided to go with it we have come this far lets give it a shot. We head back and we examine our petri dish and agree it was our babies and then watch as they place the eggs back in. Right then they say you are pregnant you just need to carry them, we are hope full. We head back to our room and I have to lay flat for 30 more minutes and then I am released to finish peeing. After we are released for me to go home and relax for 4 days, I do as say. Day 3 I feel pains and was told it is more then likely implantation and that is good. See you for your blood work in 2 weeks. Oh yeah and hope this work as the rest of your eggs that you was going to freeze to possibly use another time, well they died and you have none left to freeze.

Now First let me say I was so anxious and I took a home pregnancy test well 5 tests 5 days in a row before the appointment and each day got 2 lines darker each time. I was told not to do this as the test could read this way from the shots but I didn't care. And I couldn't believe my eyes and hoped it was true. I had to wake Doug while sleeping to tell him, he was so excited.

I went to the first appointment and the blood work should have read around 100 and was reading 2000. Holy Cow the levels are high, they warned me I was more then likely pregnant and most likely with the levels as high as they were with multiples and they was thinking triplets. Say what you put two damaged eggs in and now I am pregnant with triplets, even the doctors couldn't believe it. I return a week later and the levels should be 5000 and I was well over 10,000. They say yep definitely multiples congrats!
Another week later and we head in for my first ultrasound, right before our eyes we see TWINS! We are so happy and cant wait to spread the news. We leave and call everyone and the news spread fast.

After a few check ups and ultrasounds Time goes by and I am released from my IVF doctor at 9 weeks and sent to my OB were the journey begins.

At first I am seen monthly and at 16 weeks we find out we are having 1 BOY and 1 GIRL.
We share the news again.

Around 28 weeks I start going weekly as there was concerns, and they wanted to keep an eye on it closely. And all my OB keep telling me was you better not have these babies till you are 36 weeks.

30 weeks I am sent to start seeing a high risk pregnancy doctor to start monitoring me.

This is when we come to Jan 24, 2012 34 weeks and 5 days along 3:00 pm. I head in for just another normal checkup, ultrasound and stress test. We start off with the ultrasound and as the tech is finishing up she says I don't think there is any fluids left around baby B and her blood flow is terrible. I am going to go show the Dr. on duty this while you head over and do your stress test and we will be in to talk to you.
Of course while over there my blood pressure goes sky high and that was another concern, but I tell yeah its going to be high after the news I just got, I am scared and nervous.

It doesn't take long and the doctor comes in and tells me he doesn't like what he sees and says 1 of 2 things is going to happen. Either you will have a emergency c section tonight or will be placed on bed rest here at the hospital, lets talk to your OB and see what he wants to do.

I finish up and head upstairs 4:00 pm to see Dr. Shaner where we discuss options. He says he doesn't want to do bed rest and take a chance something goes wrong so lets have these babies tonight. We can induce you but I would rather do a C section and take a less chance something goes wrong with baby B my GIRL. I said that's fine lets do this. Tells me to head over to Labor and Delivery and check in we will do this at 7:15 tonight.

5:00 and I am heading over to L&D but stop and call Doug and tell him the news. My Convo goes like this: Hunny don't be scared and don't panic and rush here but there is a few problems with Lilly and they want me to have the babies tonight at 7:15 via emergency c section. He says I am on my way and hangs up. I then call my mom and the bestie so they can also head up to the hospital.

I head over to L&D, check in and get settle. By then Doug is finally here and he is a nervous mess. Me I am cool as a cucumber and anxious to see these babies. I tell him to relax, no chance.

Nurse comes in asks all her questions, hooks me up to the monitors and then leaves me be to relax. Another nurse comes in to start IV's. Sticks me 4 times and says I give up, I normally only stick people 2 times and quit if I don't get it so I will let the anesthesiologist do it when he comes in to place your epidural in.

Anesthesiologist comes in sticks me one time and done. Preps me for the epi and starts I am holding does hands and he shoots me with the first stick and holy shit did that puppy hurt, I screamed and Doug is saying its OK you will be fine over and over when I say Shut the F up, this shit hurts so bad. He doesn't say another word. I apologize when its all done, he understands. Numbing starts, no movement from the chest down.

7:15 wheeled back to operating room, placed on table and nausea sets in and I need to get sick, so I am rolled sideways, nausea gone till I am layed flat again.

Doctors show up and the NICU team is standing by ready to go.

Bryce is removed at 7:32 pm with his umbilical cord around his neck. I don't hear anything, he is not crying or breathing. They work on him and finally a cry. As I hear him cry I feel a big tug and Lilly is removed at 7:34 pm. They tell Doug to look over the sheet to get a pic but don't touch anything. Of course the first thing Doug sees is my stomach cut open and the doctors arm shoved all the way up in my stomach and he is like really. He cuts the cord and she is whisked away.

I start to cry, when your baby is transferred from your belly that your baby was in for 7 months to an isolated incubator and not placed in your arms, your world and time stops in its tracks. Everything you dreamt of happening, how the delivery was going to be how you would hold them and feed them right away and then it doesn't get to happen you think why me?

I am sewed up and then wheeled over to recovery. There I start to flip out cause I still cant move my legs and need to so bad, so I ask Doug to. The nurse comes in checks me over and then leaves me alone to sleep for an hour, I guess till all my epi was gone. By then I don't really remember this, but Doug said they wheeled me down to the NICU to see the babies. I visited and then was sent to my room where I slept all night.
I woke up the next day got all my pain meds even though I was hooked up to and epidural pump for the next 4 days. Headed down to see the babies and get their stats. That's when I don't think I ever really left that place unless I needed food or meds. Normally I skipped the  food and meds and nurses couldn't believe I didn't hurt. I never really thought about it, I was just worried about being with them.

4 days go by and I am released but don't leave the hospital, I lived there till the day Bryce was released. I slept there, pumped there and barely ate. I ended up losing all my baby weight and 30lbs more.

Things that happen while the babies where there. First we was on the yellow side. We met several different nurses, a few we didn't like and one we reported we never wanted ever again. She would never watch my kids and then Bryce would pull his oxygen and desat where he couldn't breath. Good thing I was there to put his cannula back in.
Then we had a few we really liked but didn't learn you can request a primary nurse till 2 weeks before Bryce was released. That's when we found Joy and we fell in love with her she was so caring, and loved my kids so much. She paid attention and gave me the security that I could actually go home and relax or shower and not have to worry. I could call and she would always tell me what the plans were and how they were doing.

Bryce while he was there was on c pap and then regular oxygen till he could be weened off. He was placed under a blue light for jaundice. His bilirubin was high for a while. After 2 weeks he was placed in a big boy bed before he was sent home a week later.
This was a great day, but a sad day for me. I finally got to take home one of my miracles but then had to leave my smallest one at the hospital. But I spent all nights with Bryce and then Grandma watch him during the day while I spent all day and evening with Lilly.

Lilly was never really sick. She was only on oxygen for 1 week. She was just very small and needed to grow and eat.
I held (kangarooed as they call it) her very often. This was our mommy daughter time.

2 months go by and we are finally sent over to the green hall. This is one step closer to going home and where most of our NICU friends have already been sent months ago so it was so good to see them again. While we was there we got to know alot of great people that had babies also in the NICU. One mom had a 1lb 2oz daughter Chloe. Our other neighbor had a son that needed a permanent trachea and 24/7 care but he was sent home after being there for 2 years. Then I met a mom that had twin girls and lost one at birth and the other was trying to hang on, and an mom that had 5 girls 2 died and the other 3 were striving to hang on also. Not sure what happen with these two families as we moved to the green side before they did.

Both kids were sent over to the green side, we had a large room. Bryce was only there a week and then sent home. After he was sent home Lilly was moved to a smaller room at the end of the hall with more privacy. There we got to know another mom of twins b/g born small, but doing great. It was a bittersweet moment when I came in one day and they were all packed up and gone.

Finally days go by and Lilly is being evaluated for going home and going through her finally steps when again she has set backs. They always told me NICU babies play the one step forward 2 steps back game. Well this is exactly what Lilly did. She was doing great but then she got acid reflux and couldn't lay down on her back flat which is a requirement to go home, because she would get sick, chock and then desat (quit breathing). A few days go by and she doesn't want to eat, that's when Joy figured out she burnt her throat and mouth. She is given acid reflux meds and it heels and she starts eating again. Now we just have to work sleeping flat again. We try again and 2 days in and she is doing good, then one bad day and the bed is raised and we have to start all over again. More evaluations and etc.
While this is all going on there is concern that she has a protruded chin and wants a specialists to come in and evaluate her. He does and see little to no concern and thinks she will grow into the chin, and she did.
Finally the day has come and I am informed she can go home on Friday, this is Monday. Wednesday comes and I am at home with Bryce getting ready to head to the hospital in a hour or so and my phone rings, its Joy. She says how would you like to take Lilly home today? Are you serious? Yes but you have to get here before 4. I am on my way and rush as fast as I can. I get other there pack her up and head home. Before I left I cried and thanked Joy for everything. I got all her information and kept in contact with her since. Joy we love you, you are family to us and thank you again.

Now Lilly was sent home on a home monitor for a month but she did good and only set it off once and that was a heart rate drop which was OK. Her Pediatrician said all babies do that when they fall into a deep sleep so that is probably what she did, so she had the monitor removed.
We are free from it all and I have my family together again.

Today I have 2 great kids that are 1. Bryce is a large monster that weighs 25lbs and crawling everywhere.

Lilly is still small She is 12lbs and sees a therapist weekly to get her on the same pace as her brother as she is not crawling or anything.

Both are pretty healthy, Lilly just has tortocollis of the neck from being stuck in my belly with no fluids, but they are working on getting that straightened out and shes sees an orthopedic doctor next month.

The NICU is a place I hope to never have to visit again and I hope no other parents have to experience, but if it wasn't for St. Johns Hospital & the NICU, my babies wouldn't be here today.

Thank You to all of the Doctors & Nurses that cared for my babies and made them strong and healthy. A special Thank You to their Primary Nurse Joy! You will always hold a special place in my heart.

Gallbladder Surgery

So for about 4 years now I have been having problems with my gallbladder.

Before I got pregnant I went to the doctor about it and nothing was ever done.

Then I got pregnant and while pregnant Lilly always laid and sat on my gallbladder, so guess what it caused me more problems.

After the kids were born my issues went away, until about early November when I started having pressure and pain problems again. So off to the doctor I go again.

I explain my problems and says I still think its your gallbladder, so lets order blood work and a ultrasound and go from there.

The blood work comes back perfectly fine, but guess what the u/s shows? Inflamed gallbladder with tons of gallstones. Now I am being referred to the surgeon.

So now its early December and the receptionist at my doctors office is calling me to tell me she set me up at appointment for surgery to remove the gallbladder on Dec 15th. Do what I don't want to do this right before Christmas and then be laid up and miss my kids 1st Christmas I will call them and reschedule but thank you.

I call the surgeons office and explain to her that I would like to reschedule my surgery for after Christmas so I don't miss my kids 1st Christmas and she understands completely and changes it to Dec 27th. Sounds great to me, plus this helps me so I don't miss as much work with the vacations holiday days off.

Dec 26th rolls around and I was waiting for the surgeons office to call to remind me not to eat after midnight etc etc. And no call so I decide to call them, mainly just so I knew what time they wanted me there. This is where I get frustrated!

When I call the receptionist is like surgery? Yeah and I explained her the situation and and she says whats your name let me look toy up. Here you are, you are not scheduled for surgery, this is for a consultation, you are not a established patient yet so we need to see you first. Say what I was told this is for surgery and repeat to here then why did my doctors office tell me it was for surgery on the 15th and I dint like that day so I called you guys back to reschedule and your receptionist so OK we will move the surgery to the 27th. I wanted to get it done before the new year so I don't pay a deductible etc. She apologizes and says see you tomorrow.

Dec 27th and I show for my appointment (Still frustrated) and was looked over told what was going to happen with the surgery and then the doctors says I would like to get this done right away before this gets worse can we do this Dec 31st? I am like what really? Heck yeah sounds great I wanted to get it done before the new year. I know what you are all thinking really you did this on New Years Eve? This is a party night! I really did care as we didn't have nothing planned this year anyway!

Dec 31st rolls around and we head to the hospital at 6 am, check in and was taken back to post surgery room to insert IV etc. I am like lets go, lets get this over with. We get to the room and the nurse inserts the IV and bam does that shit hurt, and normally never bothers me. In the meantime of it hurting she is taking blood from the IV so the IV needle is moving around and hurting me more. Then something happen, not sure what she did wrong and blood goes all her the floor, running down my fingers. Really lady!

Finally she is done and now she starting fidgeting around trying to find tape to finally tape the needle in my hand down and I am like please so it will stop moving and hurting. And the whole time I am like this hurts with you moving it so much, can you pleas hurry and stop moving it. At one point I did say I have never had one hurt, let alone had one movie it around so much like you have and she looks at me and says it hurts, really? And I was like yeah alot.

After she was complete they sent Doug in to sit with me till I was ready to go. He was there 10 minutes and I was like this IV really hurts bad and explain to him what happen. He told me to hit the nurse cal button and tell her that you want it replaced somewhere else that it hurts. I wait since it was only 10 minutes hoping maybe the pain would go away but nope 10 more Min's later and the pain is getting worse so I cant take anymore and hit the cal button. The first nurse that took me to my room said OK lets see whats going on.

First she pulls it out a little, I let out a moan yep no still hurts, OK lets push it in farther. Nope hurts even more. Shes like OK if you don't mind being stuck then I will move it. I was like lady this IV hurts and nope being stuck doesn't bother me at all, shit I was stuck over 100 times to conceive my twins this is a breeze, plus needles don't hurt or bother me so lets get this sucker moved.

She moves the IV from my hand to my underarm at elbow level. Good to go and no pain!

About 10 Min's later I am sent to the surgery and Doug to the waiting room. We got to the room and I know it wasn't 2 Min's and I was out cold. They don't play games there.

From what I was told everything went great except the anesthesiology made me sick and nauseated so they had to put a Dramamine patch behind my ear.

Off to home we go, yep don't remember this either and I don't remember the night or ringing in the new year.

The next thing I do remember is waking the next day and heading back to Doug's parents for a New Years Crab Leg Lunch! I was drugged and groggy but in no pain, but I was having one problem and that was seeing things. I never said anything to Doug, until the point I couldn't take anymore.

He started laughing and was like OOPS!

Whats so funny and what do you mean OOPS?

He proceeds to tell me that after my surgery I was sick so they put a patch on behind my ear to make me feel better and that he was to take it off when we got home and me settled. And they told him that if he forgot, that I would remind him when I woke up because I would see blurry. Guess what, they were right. My darling husband forgot and I couldn't see shit. I was freaking out, now they took my sight. Thanks Hunny!

Days go by and mainly all I did was sleep, thank you to my MIL for keeping the kids so I could sleep this surgery off, not that I could take care of them anyway since I couldn't live Bryce caused he is so big.

After around 5 days I was feeling better but still had another week and half off till I saw the doctor again. So I did alot of relaxing and a little shopping.

Jan 14th and its post surgery check up and everything check out good and I am released back to full duty and I can now hold my kids again! Thank you! I missed holding my babies!

I did go back to my primary doctor on the 15th though as I am still having problems and a few more x rays and tests ordered but cant seem to find the problem so they thing its just my bowels trying to restart and catch back up. We will see how it goes.

This is the bruise from where the first nurse insert the IV that hurt so bad.



Here is my 4 battle wounds from my surgery. Small and not painful at all.

And my stomach is still swollen from the gas the inserted.



My Birth Story

My day started off as any other normal Tuesday morning Jan 24, 2012, I get up and head over to my doctors appointments at the perinatal unit for my ultrasound and monitoring. Well this morning turned into a day I never expected.

After I was done with the ultrasound the doctor reviewed everything and said he is concerned that Lilly didn't have any fluids left and her blood flow was poor and that 1 of 2 things was going to happen. I was either going to be admitted or I was delivering tonight. After much discussion with my OB and another doctor there at that office they thought it was best to deliver or should could possibly die. So of course I called Doug and without trying to scare him told him the news and he flew over to the hospital so darn fast. Me I was calm as can be it just shot my BP up to 160/100.

So I left the perinatal unit and headed up to see my OB where he tells me the plans and what he wanted to do and that was to deliver these babies at 7:15 by emergency c-section. Not what I wanted but I knew it may happen and I was prepared for it.
So now I head up to labor and deliver and was hooked up, everyone arrived and just waited.
I got my epidural and wow that sucker hurt!
Right at 7:15 I was wheeled down to the operating room and of course then I begin to feel sick from the epidural but pulled through till my babies were born at 7:32 Bryce Connor 5 lbs 1 oz 18 inches and 7:34 Lillyana Kay 2 lbs 14 oz 15.5 inches.
At first I didn't hear any cries on Bryce but that was because his cord was wrapped around his neck and couldn't breath but as soon as it was removed and gone he cried away. As soon as Lilly came out she cried liked a champ. Doug didn't get to cut Bryce cord because of his situation but did cut Lillys cord.

After I was all sutured up I went to recovery room and was there for an hour but it didn't seem like it. I then got wheeled to the nursery to see my little ones before sent to my room.

They very next morning I was up and moving around like nothing ever happen to me. So I headed down to the NICU where my precious gifts from god were at and stayed with them and haven't left since.

Update on the Lilly

Yesterday Doug and I spent a half of a day at the hospital having test run on Lilly to make sure she was OK. Last week my Ob decided to make me a high risk patient because Lilly was not growing like Bryce. With that being said he scheduled me with the perinatal unit for extra testing.

We arrived at the hospital around 9:30 am for an U/S at 10 we didn't get in till 11. The nurse tech did her whole procedure which seemed like forever and then says Bryce is almost 5 lbs and Lilly is almost 3 but I am going to go report to the doctor and while I'm gone the tech student is going to try and find a 4 chamber heart photo before she can leave the room. "You say what?" I never agreed to this. So another hour or at least it seemed that long passes and at this point I cant lay on my back any longer and ask to get up. She quits and leaves and the doctor comes in and tells us the placentas look good. Lilly has no fluids around her and that's dangerous but she seems to be growing just slower than she should and that could just be because she was an IVF baby but that he wants me back weekly for monitoring and we will keep and eye on her and go from there. In the mean time he wanted a non stress test. But there was a problem with that. The nurses were all gone to lunch and that I would have to come back at 1 so go get lunch and see you in a hour.
off to the cafeteria we went, believe it or not but the food was really good. After lunch we still had some time so we went to the gift shop and looked around. So many things that I want so that was not a great idea. After we was done looking it was close to time so we headed back and waiting in the lobby for them to call me in.

Back in the office we headed back to and U/S room so she could see where the twins were laying so she could hook them up easier. Bryce was head down and Lilly was breech.
Off to room A in the non stress test room there the nurse hooks me up but cant find the hearts correctly because they were so close to each other. This was supposed to be a 20 min test and 1 hour later and i am still not hooked up so she goes to get the head nurse who then takes another hour to hook me up. Finally all hooked up 2 hours later and minutes go by and Lilly moves and I need to be re hooked up again. This sucks by finally at 4 I am done and get to make my appointments for every week after and get to go home.

Now today I am just waiting for my OB to call me with my results and what he wants to go next.

Update on the Twins

Yesterday I had my 31 week ultrasound appointment. I got there early and got in for the ultrasound early. I had to pee so bad when I got there but she wanted me to hold it till the ultrasound was over so she could see more and boy was I miserable.
She didn't take long at all both babies were in tight balls snuggled up next to each other except one time Lilly was sitting on Bryce's head but did move and started kicking each other in the face. She checked both heart rates Bryce 142 and Lilly 140 and did her measurements. Bryce was 3lbs 10 oz and Lilly 2lbs 15z but she was measuring 29 w and he was measuring 32 w 3days, so she is a little smaller.
After the tech was finished I ran straight to the potty and then back to the waiting room to wait to see Dr. Shaner. This was supposed to be about 20 mins later but Robin his Nurse called me back right away, apparently he had 2 deliveries to get to but wanted to make sure he got to see me before he left since I was having problems the week before. He examined me and my cervix dropped and then he read the ultrasound techs notes and saw all the measurements and was a little worried because Lilly was smaller so he decided that I was having more complications then he original thought and decided to make me high risk and scheduled me a special ultrasound down stairs at the Hospital at the perinatal unit. This place has more high tech stuff and can tell us exactly why she is running smaller than her brother that way we can make sure she is ok. Shaner said she could just be a smaller baby so don't worry about anything until the appointment and then to call him at home that night with any results the hospital gives me.

After I was done I headed home and gave Doug all the news! So more updates to come but looks like my last day here at work is the 20th of Jan and then I will be on bed rest until I deliver.

3 Hours glucose Test/OB Appt

First and most important I passed my 3 Hours glucose test. Funny short story, I went in for my 1 hour test there was a young mom to be in there also taking her test. Well when I showed up to take the 3 hour one guess what she was back also to take hers as she also failed. Then the next day we popped into each other at a store in Fairview.

Update on OB appt.

We was supposed to have an ultrasound but the front desk ladies screwed up and didnt schedule anymore for the rest of the year so we didnt get to see the babies, but I was exaimed and so far so good. But Dr. Shaner was mad so we are set to have ultrasounds every week from here on out now. Next ultrasound is the 28th, more updates to come.

The Ultrasound Zone Ultrasound Photos

Lillyana- The best picture we could get considering she was sleepin, curled up in a ball and didnt want to give us any pictures. Bryce Yawning

Bryce Drinking and Sucking

Bryce Connor

The Ultrasound Zone

So Friday after work Doug and I had a special event planned. We booked at special ultrasound at a place called The Ultrasound Zone in Glen Carbon. This place is so neat, you have several packages you can choose from and several Ala carte items you can also buy.

We of course decided to buy the most expensive package because this will be our first and last pregnancy so we wanted all the memories we could get and cherish forever. This package was really nice we got a 30 min DVD of the babies and their movements, a CD of all the pics the tech could take. They also printed 4 b/w and 4 color big prints to give us, 2 bears with each of the babies heartbeats in them, and other items and then myself, Doug's mom and my mom all ordered a key chain with the babies pictures in 3D and 4D in it so we can always see them.

Oh yeah I forgot to mention 6 to 8 members of the family can come and watch on a big TV, so Doug's sister Sue, my mom Doug's Mom and Aunt all joined us.

I am pretty sure the session ended up longer than 30 minutes but here is why. My son decided he was going to sprawl out and steal the show. We got the best video and pictures of him, we saw him yawning and sucking and drinking etc. Then the tech would switch over to Lilly who was curled up in a tight ball with her knees in her face looking down and we didn't get to see her at all. Also Bryce was kicking her nose, so we think that is why she was looking down. So she would go back and forth, no luck with Lilly so she ended the session and told us to rebook it for a week from now and we will try again and get Lilly next time. She then will give us more pics and video.

I absolutely love this place and the people that work there and would recommend them anytime.

My next session is next Monday night so next Tuesday I will have 3D and 4D pics and a video to show everyone.

A Busy Day

My morning started off with a Glucose test. It wasn't as bad this time as when I had to drink it last time. This time I had orange not fruit punch and also I was so thirsty it went down so easy. But since I drank it so fast it did turn my stomach a little. After my test I headed for some breakfast and home to enjoy a nap before my next doctors appointment. Plus I did a little work from home. When it was time I headed to Mercy and had my check up I go every 2 weeks now for the next 3 times then its weekly, cant believe I am that far already. Anyway Doctor asked his questions one being did I Black Friday shop and I said yes and I thought he was going to go through the roof. He didn't want me walking that much and definitely no more from here on out. Then he checked me over and said good to go but looks like Bed rest is soon to come. Thanks Doc cant Wait!

Time to head for some lunch and I decided on Spaghetti Factory. I get there and they are closed man can you say disappointment, Momma wants Spaghetti Factory. Head home, stop for gas and get Taco Bell definitely not what I wanted.
Arrive at home, check more work and watch TV for 20 minutes till Hubby gets home and then head to bowling. I didn't bowl well, go figure I have since I got BIG!

6 Month Ulstrasound and Doctors Appointment

So yesterday I had my 6 month well 25 week ultrasound and Doctors appointment. I got to the office early because for some reason this time I was really anxious to see how everything was. And had to wait a while before getting in and I think I peed 3 times before seeing the ultrasound tech and then when it was my turn I had to go again but waited till she was done.
She starting with Baby A- Lillyana on the right and she decided to turn around and we didn't get to see her face but she was curled up really tight and had her knees in her face. Can you say running out of room in there. But she did get all the measurements she needed and found out she was 1 pound 7 ounces about 24 weeks 5 days along and had long legs. She must be getting those from me because Doug has very short legs.
Then she switched over to Baby B- Bryce and got a small profile of his face and then his measurements and he was measuring 1 pound 8 ounces 24 weeks 6 days along with long legs also. So they are very close to being on time.
After I was finished I got to see and talk to Dr. Shaner. He opens the door, peeks in and says are you eating? Yes sir I say, he said you have only gained another 2 pounds what is going on? But then says but the babies are growing so that's good. Just do me a favor and eat double to triple this Thanksgiving dinner. OK I will see what I can do before getting sick and it all coming back up.
We go through any problems I have been having and one was the pain I had last Friday were I thought I had the Flu and chest pains and he said it was the babies lifting up my ribs to make room. Thanks can we say OUCH!
Then I told him about the pains were I feel like sometimes I'm crampy and feel like I am going to start my period and he said no worries its just Contractions and if they stay awhile then call other than that I am fine and will continue till I deliver in 3 months.
He proceeds to measure me and I am way ahead of schedule, measuring at 28 weeks.
Then he goes over whats next and that from here on out I need to be seen every 2 weeks until Jan and then weekly.
I get all the hospital info I need, including birthing and breastfeeding classes and my glucose testing paperwork and head out to make all my appointments for the remaining of my pregnancy.
It appears my next appointment is Nov 30th. It will be an all day thing of glucose testing that morning and then to see Dr. Shaner for Cervix check etc.
It wont be long now with all the holidays and being busy the twins will be here and we wont even realize its that time.

5 Month Check Up!

Well yesterday we had our 5 month ultrasound and we was finally getting to find out Baby B's gender. We was told a boy but she was not for sure.

I was so anxious but of course the ultrasound nurse worked on Baby A like she always does first and confirmed again she is definitely a girl and was measuring right on track. For some reason both babies decided to move positions and now can kick each other. Lilly was getting a beating from her brother, poor girl.

But after her measuring her and hearing her heart etc we moved on to Baby B. She did her measurements and listen to the heart and then went to check the gender and Bam! legs spread apart and his man parts completely exposed. Doug says wow look at that sack, I looked at him like really cant we just say well endowed. LOL But then again he was also measuring bigger then his sister also. Go figure!

After the ultrasound we got to see the Nurse practitioner, Dr. Shaner was out delivering a baby and she asked a few questions measured my belly and I was measuring a few weeks bigger then the babies but she said that was OK.

And for those that keep asking if I feel them kick, NO still not yet but they said that's most likely because the babies are not quite strong enough or big enough yet but they are definitely in there going to town. Oh yeah and they are crowded so they don't have as much room to kick me.

So its confirmed we are having one of each and we couldn't be happier parents!

Doctors Update

So a few post back I said that I was being released from my fertility doctor on July 29th, and that I had my new OB appointment set up with a doctor a friend referred me to for the 12th of August. Well I went to the appointment and ended up being there all day. I got there at 10 was immediately called back the nurse took a pee sample, took weight and blood pressure and then send me to my room. There she asked me a few standard medical history questions and said the doctor will be in after her other ultrasound and in the mean time can a student doctor come in and talk to me. Sure why not!

Well a few minutes later here she comes and starts asking me questions and let me say, some of the dumbest questions I have ever been asked also some that made me mad because its like she didn't trust what I was telling her. Here are just a few she asked me: She had in my records that my last cycle was June 12th, I said no it was May 26th and that June 12th was my transfer date. She says to me and your sure? I say yes I'm positive. Then she says well that changes things you are now 11w1d I said yes and that your due date is March 3rd. No its March 1 and she said over and over NO. She didn't understand that you have to go over retrieval date. Then she said well what did you do a transfer for? At this point I am like are you kidding me? I said because I have PCOS and I had to do IVF to get pregnant there was no other option. She said again are you sure you have PCOS? Yes lady I am positive, well how do you know for sure? Because I had a laboroscopy/hysteroscopy done. Then here's another funny one, she asked me so you are having twins? Yes well how do you already know that? Wow because I have had several ultrasounds the last few months. Then she has a fit cause I am on aspirin that Dr. Keller told me to take till the new Dr. takes me off. Neither the student or Dr. Stephens knew why I was taking it and wanted me to stop right away. Plus many more questions that I cant remember at this time. At this point I am already fed up with this student and want her out of my room. Bring in the Doctor and lets get this going.

Finally Doctor Stephens comes in and goes through her list of dumb questions and tells me when I will be there for my ultrasounds and that they want to do this and this. Then lays the bed back and decides she wants to check me and basically shoves her arm up my cooch. OUCH! Then proceeds to not tell me whats next and pins my arm over my head and does a mammogram. After she was done they decided to do the ultrasound, and this was the quickest ultrasound I have ever had. The student doctor was going to use the cooch wand but the doctor said just use the handle one so she did and she placed it on my stomach said yep there is Baby A and Baby B OK you are done wipe off and meet me out in the check out area. And at your next appointment we should be able to hear the heartbeats. I said why not now when I already heard them at the fertility doctor? No response. What? Are you kidding me I didn't even get to see my babies let alone hear the heartbeats or get pictures. I am so mad and so uncomfortable at this point. I was asked stupid questions, questioned over my answers then I didn't get to see or hear the babies. I should be enjoying this pregnancy and I am not.

After I left that place I had to go down stairs and fight and deal with the Lab for blood work and this place was just as bad as the doctors office. I didn't leave there till 1. What a long day!

So I went home and told Doug what all happen and that I was not comfortable at that place but was willing to give them one more shot and see what happens and he was so mad he said that hell you are. Monday morning we are calling canceling all appointment and you are going to the family doctor that all the females have delivered at. So I wont be delivering at Barnes anymore, we are now at St. Johns with Dr. Shaner my first appointment is Next Tuesday the 23rd. I will let everyone know how it goes.

Last Fertility Appointment- Time to Move on!

Well I had my last IVF Fertility Appointment with Dr. Keller on Friday July 29Th.

They did one last ultrasound to make sure everything still looked good since at this point my rate of miscarriage was now down to 5%.

In the middle of my ultrasound the Nurse says do you see your baby he is very active and moving and as we was looking he/she waved right at us, it was the coolest thing I have ever got see and sad Doug missed it. Then she proceeds to tell me that I have big babies. After she was done doing that and checking the heart rates, which went up from 144 to 169 and 131 to 166 she decided to check the babies out in 3D. This was so cool. Baby B was being stubborn so we didn't get the best picture in the world but we got one. As for Baby A you can actually distinguish the nose, mouth, legs and umbilical cord.

Baby A

Baby B

After she was all done I got to talk to Dr. Keller for my last time and I will actually miss her and may just have to pop in for a visit every now and then. Everyone there is nice! Dr. Keller and I talked about how everything turned out and that everything looked great and she was happy for me. And that I better send pics and keep them updated, especially because I was having twins.

I have a form to send back to them after the babies are born so I think I will just send them a picture of the twins newborn pic with the form.

Now its time to move on to my OB and I decided to stay there at Barnes since I'm doing a study for them anyway. So a very good friend of mine Jenn helped me out and let me know of a few doctors there at Barnes and that's now who I am going to. I am excited, my first appointment is Aug 12 I will almost be 12 weeks so I cant wait to see how big the babies are.

Ultrasound Update

The Ultrasound Confirmed we are having twins.

Official Due date is March 1

But the Doctor said I will be lucky to make Feb 1 and anything past that is wonderful

Ultrasound Today

Today we find out how many babies we are having.

We will update you tomorrow on how many.

Update on Pregnancy

The Doctors office just called with my Bloodwork Results and my levels were at: 10,592. They are defintely thinking multiples so they scheduled and ultrasound for Friday to find out how many.

No Ultrasound Today!

Well the doctors office decided to just do Blood work today and do the ultrasound in 3 more weeks. So we still dont know how many babies for 3 more weeks. But the blood woork results today should give us another idea.