Expect the Unexpected

First of all, I want to start out by thanking the Lord for His providence and provision. The things that have happened over the last few days just remind Surfer and I, once again, that God is truly in control and He watches out for us even when we aren't aware we need watching out for! Second, this is going to be a very long post - mostly for our memory but thank you to all who stick it out and read!

As I mentinoned in my last post, my OB referred us to a specialist to do an ultrasound on Aubrey to get a better assessment of her growth or lack thereof. Usually, it is rather tough to get into this office as they are so busy, and have limited hours. However, on Thursday the 20th I called and they had an appointment for me on Friday morning at 10:30. I asked my mom to go with me just in case anything came up since Surfer couldn't get away from work. Boy, am I glad she was there!

The initial ultrasound was long (about 1.5 hours) and they were able to get great measurements of the girls. Claire is just fine, has plenty of room to roam, and is weighing in at about 3lbs 5oz. Little Aubrey, however, does have IUGR. She has low amniotic fluid and weighs 2lbs 14oz (a greater than 20% difference from Claire and a reason for concern for the specialists). The specialist doc thinks that the reason for this is simply that she is a twin - and that my one uterus is supporting two placentas and Aubrey's isn't getting as much nutrients as Claire's is. There is nothing wrong at this point with her little body or organs, and it looks like while the placena isn't doing as well as we'd like there aren't any major problems with the cord, or the placenta pulling away from the wall.

Specialist doc recommended that we come in twice a week, one to check the blood flow and organs and the other to check the growth of Aubrey. The key challenge at this time is to mitigate and weigh the risks of early delivery vs. longer gestation. For now, Aubrey is better off in the womb because she isn't mature enough to thrive easily on her own outside. However, as we continue to track her, if her growth slows or we see problems with the placenta or cord, it may become true that she is safer outside the womb - even if it means she is a preemie. Claire is also to be considered - while Aubrey is under a bit of stress and so she is becoming quite a fighter, Claire is a bit oblivious that she may be born soon, and so she may actually have more problems at birth than Aubrey would.

Doc gave me a round of steroids that should help to hypermature their lungs and blood pressure systems in the event that they should need to be born in the next few weeks.

Then, they sent me for a Non Stress Test (NST) to make sure the girls' heartbeats are steady and strong, and they aren't showing signs of distress - and also to make sure I'm not having contractions.

About 5 minutes into the NST, it was apparent that I was contracting every minute, even though I couldn't feel it. In a whirlwhind 1/2 hour, I was checking into Labor and Delivery here at Evergreen to stop my labor (lots of fun shots and monitoring and... yuk) and also to monitor the contraction and the girls over the weeend.

Friday and Saturday went fine - the girls were great and they put me on a niphetepine (sp?) several times a day to slow contractions. Late Saturday evening, we were transferred from the L&D floor up to the antepardom wing where other bedrest moms are. Surfer and I were reading, getting ready for bed when suddenly I started experiencing intense pain in my lower right abdomen. From this point on, my memories of the evening/next few days are fuzzy but I'll do my best to summarize.

Nurse thought it was round ligament pain, so they gave me tylenol and suggested a warm shower to help the muscles relax. I was in the shower about 5 minutes when I began to vomit from the intense pain. My doctor was on vacation, so they called the on-call doc, Dr. Keyes, to see what we should do. The hospital became a blur, focusing every now and then for the next 12 hours as the docs and nurses tried to figure out what was wrong. Surfer called my folks to come to the hospital at about 2AM; they came down to sit with us - Surfer being my hero and yet agonizing over not being able to do anything to stop my agonizing pain; my parents trying to help in any way they could but to no avail. It was a horrowing night. Ultrasound tests revealed normal babies, uterus, placentas, ovaries, etc. A CT scan was though of, but once we got to CT they would't do the scan due to the risk posed to the girls. MRI was ordered, and at about 4AM we started the hour plus scanning - which was nearly impossible due to the fact that after about a minute on my back I faint - so they had to scan me on my side. I only remember being put in the tunnel, holding my breath, and having Surfer stand by my head, telling me it was almost over, it was almost over.

MRI revealed nothing. As I found out later, Dr. Keyes used to work at Harborview (trauma hospital in Seattle) in the burn unit, and she had never given anyone the amount of pain meds they pumped into me that night - and it still didn't take the edge off. I was literally in agony, begging to be just knocked out - but they didn't want to do that until they ruled out appendicitis (which would pose great danger to me and the girls). Finally at about 11AM, Dr. Keyes recommended going ahead with surgery. She was fairly certain that I had an ovarian torsion (where the ovary twists on itself and dies, cutting off the nerves and tissue and inciting the intense pain). While she wasn't totally sure, she couldn't let me keep going on this way. The general surgeon refused to participate on opening up a 31 week pregnant woman if we weren't sure it was the appendix - so Dr. Keyes went on anyway.

Ah - relief at finally being knocked out! Surfer stood by me in prep as they gave me the IV, catheter, and other drugs, and my folks and Surfer's folks were waiting just outside. After they wheeled me into the OR, I lost it - begging the doctors to watch out for my babies when I was under. It was terrifying, realizing what was about to happen and how vulnerable my girls were. They promised they would, and put the drug mask on my face and I drifted, finally, blissfully, into oblivion.

It ended up being an ovarian torsion, not appendicitis thankfully, and so they had to remove my right ovary and fallopian tube. As an interesting coincidence, my mom had to have the same surgery when she was about my age! Maybe it was hereditary. Who knows?

I don't remember recovery or waking up at all until later that night. I was put on an intense drug (magnesium something) to stop my uterus from contracting and going into true labor. This was just awful - cotton mouth so bad my tounge cracked, 100lb arms and legs, and the feeling of an elephant sitting on my chest. Surfer, my hero, stood by all night - feeding me ice chips to keep my mouth moist, putting cold washcloths on my face and neck to stave off nausea, wiping my tears and helping me shift in my bed. I don't think he slept for over 48 hours though all this.

I was taken off the mag and the IV on Monday - and from that point started to feel better slowly, day by day. I have a 7 inch scar running across my lower belly which has been very painfully healing (difficult, though, with two growing babies pressing on it from the inside and stretching the belly out daily!). I am taking a "party mix" of medications a few times daily to slow contractions, heal infection, avoid reflux, releive tummy swelling, and most of all - keep the pain away! The docs have me and the girls on monitors for several hours several times a day to monitor contractions, and to make sure their beautiful little hearts are still beating strongly. Surfer has spent the week in the hospital with me, sleeping here at night and keeping me company during the day - and filling my ice and 7up glasses, and encouraging me in the tough moments and generally being the most wonderful husband in the world.

Surgery recovery is coming along, slowly but surely. Not only is my belly growing and stretching daily, but I am on bedrest - so the usual walking around and movement that aids in quick recovery is impossible.

The hospital doctors and staff have been wonderful; so kind and helpful. My doc will be back from vacation hopefully Monday, so I will look forward to seeing him and hopefully having him tell us it's OK to go home - and that we won't need to be here until we deliver.

Thanksgiving was wonderful - I absolutely hated to miss dinner at my parent's house with the whole family and Grandma, but later in the day, everyone came down to the hospital to bring me parts of the delicious meal and keep me company. It was such a blast! Our dear friends Vic and Melinda and their beautiful baby Grace also came over that night, and it was just wonderful to realize all the love and support we have from our family and friends.

Since the surgery, I have had one ultrasound to check on the cervix length - it remains low but steady and there was no change since the previous check-up, in spite of all the body drama that had taken place so that is an excellent sign.

Surfer and I are just so thankful for all of you - our family and friends - who have and are praying for us, who have called and emailed your support and encouragement, and who make us realize that we are not alone in this challenge! If I end up being in the hospital until the babies are born, I will relish visitors so please call me or email me and stop by! I have my cell phone handy at all times, which is the best way to reach me.

Lord, thank you for literally carrying us through times like this - when we are unable or unaware of how to do it ourselves. Thank you for your provision, your grace, and your strength as we face each day. Thank you that time doesn't stand still - and that each day we get closer to meeting our little girls, and feeling better. We are utterly grateful for your love for us!!!

30 Weeks!

Wow, I can't believe we've made it this far!

At the growth ultrasound today, Claire was measuring a solid 3lbs, but Aubrey was a bit behind at 2lbs, 11 oz. They've been growing at basically the same rate (1 oz or so difference) until now, so my OB is a bit concerned. We are going to go to a perinatologist (a doc who specializes in multiples pregnancies) this week to find out if there are any problems we need to be aware of. We hope and pray that the placenta is doing its job, and the umbilical cord is strong and flowing freely - if not, both of those things can cause IUGR (intra-uterine growth restriction). If there are any problems, we may be looking at an early delivery. While the girls are small, they are in a good range of weight and development if that is necessary. Alternatively, Aubrey could just be a small baby and there could be no problems at all!

Please continue to keep our little ones in your prayers - especially Aubrey, that she may continue to grow strong and healthy and maybe catch up with her sister! These precious little ones have been in God's loving hands since the day they were two tiny cells... and they remain His little girls - we just get to love them and nurture them for awhile. Surfer and I trust completely that He is watching out for them, and for us. But as always, prayers do help!

Lord, thank you for these two miracles! Please hold them lovingly in your arms, and guide them to a safe and healthy delivery in your perfect timing. Thank you for this opportunity to continue to trust in You!

Beautiful babies!

We had an unexpectedly fun ultrasound today - 3D technology gave us a peek at our little girls' darling faces! C is a bit easier to photograph due to her position, and A had the membrane that separates the girls over her face so her pic is a bit watery looking... but we still think they are gorgeous!

C sleeping with her hands near her face:

A blissfully dreaming:

A note to my girls...

Dear little A and little C,

I can't wait until you're here! We've reached the all-important 28 mark yesterday, which means that if you were to be born now you'd have a nearly 100% chance of surviving. I hope you aren't born for a few months, because it would break my heart to have to leave you in the hospital without us! So, stay snuggled in nice and tight for 9 more weeks or so, OK?

You are both so cute and so unique! A, my sweet little baby - you poor thing, I feel so bad for you being so cramped down below, having to carry the weight of your sister and mommy's big belly! You get the hiccups about 2-3 times a day, most of the time when mommy is having her coffee in the morning and when I go to bed at night. Tonight was so sweet - I was able to feel your little shoulder as you hiccuped and really felt like I was connecting with you - separated by such a small barrier but I was still touching my little girl! You make me laugh with your kicks in all sorts of places; last night you kicked so hard it reached my upper leg! When Daddy talks to you, you start to kick like crazy. I know you love the deep sounds of his voice and recognize him each time he says, "where's my little A?" I wish you had more room in there to move around, but enjoy being cozy for now... I bet when you're born you will LOVE to just stretch and stretch!

C, you are my buddy baby right now because you're so close and easy to feel move and squirm. I could just sit and feel your little kicks and rolls all day long! You really like to snuggle up to my ribcage and sometimes it makes it really, really hard for me to breathe! But then, I just think that you are trying to hug me close and that's the best way you can do it and it makes me so happy to be able to feel you. You especially love it when Daddy talks to you - you love to hear his voice and when he calls your name you go right to your "special place" just to be near to him.

Sometimes, I think you girls are playing in there, when I feel kicks all around my belly at the same time. I think it's adorable when you both have the hiccups and you make my belly jump with them!

I hope you know how much your daddy and I love you, A and C!