29 weeks today!!!  15 days in the hospital and counting.  They haven’t done growth scans of the babies since we were admitted two weeks ago so we’re not sure how they’re measuring now.  The next growth scan will be next week.  As you might remember from my last post, Baby C had intermittent absence of diastolic flow in the umbilical cord (AEDF).  When the baby’s heart beats, it pushes the blood through the cord.  Normally, in between beats, blood continues to flow forward but slowly.  Baby C’s flow has been between intermittently absent and absent.  When it’s intermittent it’s continuing to move forward between some heartbeats but between others the flow is absent or stops.  Other days it’s absent between every beat.  If between beats, the blood starts to flow backwards slowly, that means it’s become reverse flow and the babies would need to be delivered.  Since the last update Baby A has also been showing some absence here and there but it’s very random and most days her flow is normal.  Today Baby C had very few absences and A didn’t have any  They also do non stress tests (NST) twice a day.  All the babies have been doing great on those which is really good.

Because things can change quickly, I will not be leaving the hospital with babies still in my belly.  They’ll continue to monitor 3 times a day and I’ve pretty much moved in.  I have even started referring to the hospital as home… lol!  Alvin has moved in with me.  He stays with me every night even (though I’ve let him know he can go home some nights if he wants).  He’s so sweet!!  The doctors and nurses are doing a great job of making me feel as comfortable as possible.  The hospital has a fancy tea time on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons (picture above).  Although my blood pressure has been slowly creeping up the whole pregnancy I’m still testing negative for preeclampsia.  I also passed the 3 hours glucose test last week so no gestational diabetes!

Maternity clothes? I am pretty much wearing sweat pants and maternity tank tops in the hospital.  It’s all about comfort at this point.

Stretch marks? Some small ones on each of my sides and hips.  Some days they are more visible than others but still not bad at all.

Sleep? The first night in the hospital was pretty rough.  We weren’t expecting to be admitted so my mind was going all night and the hospital pillows are not very comfortable.  Since then I got sheets from home and my pillows and I’ve been sleeping pretty good for being in the hospital.  The nurses do their last check and monitoring around 10pm each night and then come in at 6am each morning.  I get up to pee about 3-5 times a night at this point.   I’m still pretty tired most days so I try to nap in between doctors and nurses coming in and meals.

Best moment this week?  Alvin got to feel the girls really moving a couple days ago.  They are getting really strong and their movements are getting bigger.  It was so exciting for me to get to share that with him.  I feel them all the time but whenever I grab him, they usually calm down.  Hopefully he’ll have that calming affect on them once they’re born.  I can often times tell which baby I’m feeling at this point too.

Miss anything?  I miss Buster, our chihuahua, the most being in the hospital… and my bed.  I still miss Jimmy Johns italian subs and deli sandwiches in general.

Movement? I’ve been feeling and seeing some pretty big kicks, punches, elbows… I’m really not sure what they’re doing in there but I’m feeling them and so is Daddy

Food cravings? Not really any cravings still

Genders? Identical girls

Symptoms? My swelling has gotten better since I’ve been in the hospital but my feet still start to puff up if I sit up or walk around too much.  The doctors are encouraging me to get up and walk around as much as I can to avoid getting blood clots but it’s pretty uncomfortable.  I’ve been having a lot of pain in my hips and pubic area when I stand and my belly gets really tight and heavy.  They got me a walker to use and a belly binder to help support the weight when I’m up.  I get short of breath pretty quick even just talking.  Sometimes even laying in bed and not doing anything at all.

Wedding ring on or off? Off.  I can no longer fit any rings on my hands.

Happy or moody?  Pretty happy.  We’re really getting excited to see what our girls look like and what their personalities are like.  The doctors and nurses have been great and spoil me as much as they can.  I’m going to miss them when it’s time to go.

Weight gain? Last they checked a few days ago I was up 54.5 lbs.  The first weight gain goal was to hit 35 lbs by 20 weeks.  I hit 35 lbs at 21 weeks.  Next goal was 54 lbs at week 28 and that’s right about where I was.  From here on out total weight gain goal is 58-75 lbs.

Looking forward to?  Meeting our sweet baby girls.  Still praying it will be another 3-6 weeks before we do though