Category: pregnancy

So I have developed preeclampsia over the last week. I knew something wasn’t right when my legs and ankles were swollen and the compression socks weren’t helping. This started on Sunday and then got better on Monday, Tuesday was ok, but Wednesday it started to get worse. Also, my BP was high again. I didn’t sleep very well last night, I was worried about my OB appointment this morning.  

My BP this morning at the OB’s office was 166/95 and I weighed 209 pounds. So in just a short week I gained 16 pounds- That’s how swollen my legs are!   

The first thing the Doctor said to me was “it’s time for your babies to come out”. The results of the weekly blood and urine tests I’ve been doing have been normal until this week. My liver and blood are good, but there has been a shift in my kidneys and there was protein in my urine. These two marker qualify me for preeclampsia. My kidneys have creatinine of 91, the Doctor said 100 is considered super risky. The risk of keeping the babies inside are stroke, seizure and renal failure. So, we agreed to an induction. The Doctor submitted the paperwork to the FMC and they are going to call us either tomorrow or Saturday (whenever they can accommodate us) with a 2 hour window to show up to start the induction. If I don’t hear from the hospital by tomorrow at 3:00pm I am supposed to call them and check in.  

The Doctor checked my cervix this morning as well. I am 2 cm dilated, my cervix is soft and I am 50% effaced. So, my cervix is actually ready for labour. She did a sweep on my membranes to help my cervix along.  
At the hospital they will break my water and put me on a low dose oxytocin (synthetic hormone to induce labour, titrating up every 30 – 60 mins)

I am ok with this medical intervention. There are some significant risks to my health if i continue to be pregnant, I can get behind that logic, as opposed to the reason for an epidural that was just a flat out “we won’t do a breech extraction without an epidural”. The induction makes sense to me. The demand for an epidural is too subjective. I am not thrilled about being induced but it needs to happen for my health and well being, that’s easy thing to get on board with. 

The Doctor also looked at the babies on the ultrasound, baby girl is still head down in a great position, but baby boy is transverse at the very top of my uterus along my ribs. She said this is actually a favourable position for him to drop head down after baby girl is born. So, let’s hope he stays that way, and the choice to take an epidural won’t be forced on me!   

My friend Tenille came over and performed her crystal song bowls for Sara and I (and the babes). She performed the root chakra bowl for Ganesha while singing a mantra to remove/over come obstacles during labour and birth.  

Next she performed the heart chakra and crown chakra bowls while singing the jai ma mantra to celebrate the mother.  

It was a beautiful ceremony, and I could feel the babes kicking and moving inside me. 

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34 weeks and counting!!!  The OB appointment was pretty routine.  I weighed 189 pounds, my BP was 127/89.  My BP measurements at home have levelled out, which is great.  We continued to talk about labouring/birth choices with the Doctor so we have a better understanding of what to expect on the big day and so we are more informed.  

My belly measures 42 inches around. ?

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OB appointment March 23I had my OB appointment on March 23, and I am officially off work- doctor's orders. I now have weekly OB appointments, and lab tests (blood and urine) to monitor kidney and liver function and protein in my urine. I also have to take my BP 3-4 times a day (this is my new full time job). There is a very good possibility I will start BP meds this week. 

I weighed 188 pounds at my appointment, which is the same as two weeks ago, but no one seemed concerned about it (and I definitely know my belly is growing!).  

The Doctor performed a cervical examination and determined my cervix was tilted towards the back and appropriate 2 cm long and maybe a tight 1 cm dilated. This is a positive change and does not indicate preterm labour. She said the cervix is like an accordion and can frequently change length. 
The ultrasound showed the boy babe practice breathing and the girl babe was facing my spine head down with her chin tucked in- the perfect birthing position.  She's on it! 

I still feel good and there is lots of movement from the babes.  

Kyle and I had a productive weekend clearing out the garage and purging the house. It feels good to get rid of clutter 😀.
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I weighed in at 188 pounds.  My blood pressure continues to be a concern and I will continue to monitor it at home.  High blood pressure is very common with twins in the 3rd trimester.  I started to experience swelling in the calfs and feet and was recommended to see a compression sock expert (my shoes/boots did not fit- I was wearing sandals in this -20C weather).  I was fitted for a pair of (extremely) expensive thigh high socks, but my feets and legs showed immediate improvement. Apparently there can be significant future health complications if swelling is left untreated, so I am glad I went.  I am not able to put the socks on myself so Kyle has been helping me (they even gave us special gloves to get the socks on- it's quite funny!).  Kyle has been taking excellent care of me, the babes and the animals.

the OB told me I am handling the twins pregnancy really well.

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