Another day another doctor

So we had an ultrasound yesterday and a checkup with the delivering OBGYN today. The ultrasound noted that the fluid around Lorelei is lower than last week, but not enough to panic. We will be seen back next Monday for another ultrasound to continue checking the fluids. The OBGYN went fine, and she saw no amniotic fluid in the swab (which is good). We will also be seen by them each week until they feel confident I'm not leaking from Lorelei's sack.

Lorelei and Maddison are still in separate sacks. The amniotic fluid could possibly be coming from either sack, and the only way to tell is to insert blue die into the fluid with a needle and check a few hours later. Now if we chose to do that we would risk infection and rupturing the membrane even further. Because the leak does not seem to be significant enough for a week to pass by we are choosing to bypass that option and stick with "playing it by ear".

My parents and brother came out to visit for Christmas and my birthday which was very nice! They left last night and got back home to NJ this morning. We were visited by my cousin and her family while they were in the state visiting her husbands family. It's been a very busy week! And still more family fun to come. We're so happy to have so many family and friends to care and help out where they can. We will continue to have updates and hope and pray for an uneventful full term pregnancy!

another night at the hospital

Wednesday night Lorel was in the hospital all night. She was leaking a little amniotic fluid, which fortunately has stopped. But we checked the fluid levels, refilled the washer fluid reservoir, and gave her a wash and wax. She's good for another 3,000 mi. Next regularly scheduled maintenance is Mon. at 3. Results as events warrant. Merry Christmas to all!

Lorel's forcing me to write more, including the information that she's forcing me to write more. My in-laws came out for Christmas and surprised her in the hospital Thurs. morning. We had a great Christmas, interspersed with me staying at my mom's to take care of her post surgery. We are worrying it through and now we're on to the second wave: Lorel's birthday. Happy Birthday sweetie!

Yet another apt.

So today we went to see our delivering OBGYN. We just reviewed progress, go weighed, measured, and heard her heart beat. She's been really calm today! (surprisingly) and her heart rate is 148. I'm measuring properly for 22 weeks and I've gained a total of about... 16lbs! As long as I continue along this track I should gain enough weight for the doctors approval!

We're currently waiting for confirmation from Cincinnati on seeing the HR Dr once a month instead of every week since we're out of the woods. We're also waiting to hear about continuing medication, setting up classes (birthing, breastfeeding, etc.) and bedrest/exercise.

I have had nice visits from people over the last week or so! I know everyone is so busy with the holidays, but I really do appreciate the messages, calls, and visits when people have the time.

We'll be celebrating Christmas with half of Jared's family this weekend and then the other half I believe the week after Christmas. So it seems that Christmas week will be a little quiet for us. Jared will be taking care of his mother since she will be having surgery on Tuesday, so prayers her way are appreciated for a smooth surgery and speedy recovery!

Oh yea, and my birthday is coming up too! Yay for bedrest!!!

Thank God!

We had our echocardiogram and the baby's heart is normal! Although the score for the right ventricle is still a little elevated its not really a concern and there is no sign of the hypertrophy that caused this whole mess in the first place. She's 19 oz which is a little large for 22 weeks gestation but all the better. Thanks to all for your prayers and support keep 'em comin.

Just truckin along!

Hey there all.

Currently not much to report. All reports are positive from the doctor so far. Next week we have the Echo to check the progress on her heart, and then a routine apt with our delivering dr.

Then the next week is CHRISTMAS! I had a thought that each Christmas we are going to begin to encourage our kids to donate some toys before getting more... I assume if we do it from the beginning then it would work, but ya never know! Right now I have a four legged four year old who doesn't like to part with anything and cries a lot when no one plays with him! I guess we should have started from the beginning with him!

We continue to be blessed with such great family, friends, help, and prayers.

From www.TTTSfoundation.org

When you learn you are pregnant with twins, it is such a blessed moment in your life. You feel so fortunate and chosen by God to have such a special gift. You dream of holding two babies, dressing them the same and watching them grow up together. This is what God intended. God did not make a perfect world though. There is evil in this world and one form of it is a disease called twin to twin transfusion syndrome. It does not care who it hurts, and it always happens to the parents who want and love their babies so very much.

When parents learn that one of their babies has passed away, life will never be the same again. There is deep sorrow and shock. There is confusion about whether or not to deliver the babies. There is no reason to deliver the babies, unless the surviving baby is in major distress. There is a risk that the living baby may bleed blood to his or her twin, through the connecting blood vessels in their shared placenta that caused the twin to twin transfusion syndrome in the first place. If this happened, it was instantaneous at the time of the loss and already happened by the time you determined the loss. Delivering the babies, as many doctors think should happen, will not prevent it. It is better to stay pregnant and get to a gestational age to best help your surviving baby.

There is a period of about 2 weeks where if there are no signs of distress with the surviving baby then this “bleeding” in laymen’s terms, most likely did not happen. You should feel confident that your baby should be OK. Nothing will take away your fears completely until you deliver and the pregnancy is finally over and you hear your baby crying. But, let this give you a true understanding of hope that he or she will be just fine. You should also be getting blood work done to make sure your blood clotting mechanisms are working correctly within your own blood supply. This is a small risk, but one that should not be ignored.

When one of your babies has passed away, you will often hear hurtful comments such as, “They were not meant to be", "You could not have handled both", "God needed him or her more", "He or she was too sick to survive.....” All of these statements are not true. Your baby is a beautiful, healthy baby. It is just that the disease took its toll. Your baby will always be your baby and they will always be twins. It is not they “were” twins…it is that they always will be. You will always be the parent of twins too. The status will never be taken away from you and you should stay strong not to let anyone try to. The more you can speak up for yourself and your babies when these comments are made, the better you will feel about yourself.

Many will advise that you have to be “strong” for the other baby now…that you cannot fall apart or cry. This too, is not true. You don’t have to be strong. You don’t have to be anything. You will be strong regardless of trying to. It is OK to cry and even be hysterical. It will not hurt your second little baby.

Know that when your baby passed away, his or her twin had his arms around your baby. And, you had your arms around them both. You always will.

Know that we are here to talk with you, especially listen and cry with you. You are not alone. We are here to help you continue on in your pregnancy and plan for your compassionate delivery of your babies. Please know that God did not make this happen. God wants all babies to live. His hand will be in yours. Even if you pull your hand away…He will not let go. And when you can no longer stand, He will carry you.

Your babies love you with all their heart. They know that you have done and are doing everything you can for them. The only emotion that they feel is love for you, and they will always be with you. They will help you get through this and live your life bringing both of them with you. It will never be good-bye…only I love you.