Week 31 - 35: Month Eight

Started the week off by receiving my second shot of Pfizer vaccine. Only symptom was being extremely tired after, feeling as though I took five sleeping pills and was fighting to stay awake. I rather be tired, than have a headache or flu like symptoms, so I am not complaining. 

My current doctor schedule is as follows:
- visit with my doctor
- doplers once a week
- growth test once every two weeks
- non-stress test twice a week (NST records your baby's movement, heartbeat, and contractions. It notes changes in heart rhythm when your baby goes from resting to moving, or during contractions).

I do look forward to the growth ultrasounds, with everything else stable, it all depends on how the babies are growing. At my first appointment as eight months pregnant, Baby A is in the 66th percentile, and Baby B is in the 7th percentile. Not good. According to my doctor, anything below the 10th raises concern.

Over the weekend, I went into Labor and Delivery to receive two shots of Beta:
“Betamethasone can also be given in utero (antenatally) via an injection into the mother's arm, leg, or buttocks; it then travels through her bloodstream and into the baby's circulation. Antenatal betamethasone is primarily used to speed up lung development in preterm fetuses”.
Primarily, the shots are for Baby B, but of course Baby A will also benefit. 

About 24 hours after the first injection, we had a little scare. I could not feel the babies move. I drank ice water, juice, ate spicy food, laid on my side, jumped around; nothing. Went back to Labor and Delivery, and was hooked up to the NST machine. The twins’ heart rates were all over the place. Quick sonogram revealed Baby A rolled around a bit (too small for me to feel) and B was only opening and closing his hand around his umbilicord (again, not enough movement for me to feel). As far as checking the boxes for monitoring, they both passed. Excellect :) 

At 33 weeks, my doctor appointment was life-changing (literally). We scheduled the c-section, went over the details of the labour and delivery, and discussed possible hospital outcomes.
Date: Tuesday May 4th (34 weeks)
Details: Scheduled c-section to deliver both babies, time dependent on emergency OR needs
Hospital: Myself - four days, three nights recovery, epidural, husband will be with me all of day one and going home, but coming back to sleep over for the duration of my stay. I am allowed two visitors at a time, definitely will not be too lonely.
Baby A - one week in the NICU
Baby B - also one week, may be longer depending on growth rate
*Of course, the amount of time for both can change, especially once the babies are out and examined. Hopefully, the two rounds of steroids will encourage them to develop faster.

My bff in New York had a small surprise baby shower for me. It was very unexpected, and a lot of fun to relax, play some games, and get out of the house. I feel very loved, and once again, the twins are lucky to have such great people in their lives :)

I guess my next blog post will be when I have time to write something. In the meantime, I will be vlogging what I can, starting May 4th, and try to utilize IG and TikToc for quick updates: @jaksatwins
Wish me luck!
cbxo

1. Running: ha ha ha, I can barely waddle to the train for doctor visits
2. Weight: down to 140 lbs, doctor said it was okay and I am just losing fluid, babies are growing and my blood work is great
3. Nutrition: still very thirsty all the time, supplements, oatmeal and whatever I can actually chew and swallow during the day -- no appetite lately
4. Symptoms: still so incredibly exhausted all the time, cannot sleep through the night, contractions during the day, my legs and sides of my stomach feel like pulled muscles
5. Books: Go Diaper Free, a simple handbook for elimination communication by Andrea Olson M.A. (going to give it a try in June)