Friday, October 16, 2009

31w4d - Still at home

The girls are still safely in utero, and I'm still chugging away at home. This week's doctor's appointment went well - no surprises, thankfully! The girls scored 8/8 on their 4th biophysical profiles and everything looks great, so we live to fight another week.

I'm waiting for the injectable H1N1 vaccine (thimerosal free) to become available later this month and plan to get it based on the long conversation with the perinatologist about benefits/risks.

The sonographer tried again to get a 4D image of each baby's face and although the girls all had their faces turned toward the u/s wand, there were umbilical cords, arms and legs in front of all of their faces. We caught glimpses of their facial features, which was truly amazing, but unfortunately there were no clear images to print. The sonographers at the perinatal center are incredibly thoughtful. They always try and print an equal number of pictures for each baby, "Or else you'll have a hard time explaining that you love them all equally once they hit their teens and want to see these photos."

If it's at all humanly possible and my body holds out, the peri wants me to aim for 36 weeks, which would be November 16. I'm beyond uncomfortable now, sleeping an hour or two at a time, exhausted beyond comprehension, and the cholestasis symptoms are driving me nuts. Oh, and this week, the edema went from mild to insane - think hobbit feet. It hurts to walk. The contractions start the moment I sit or stand. When I lay down in bed, it feels like I'm doing a headstand. Head rush. Almost as if there's way too much blood to keep it all inside my skull. Fortunately, no headaches, but the pressure is very unpleasant.

Some days I just want to cry and give up, but then I feel guilty and think of how much of a difference every single day makes and how much I want to give these girls the best possible start in life (but I realize that's not up to me...) And then there's the part of me that remembers what a struggle it was to get here, how many of my friends are still struggling to conceive, and how grateful I am to be experiencing a pregnancy at all. It never fails to snap me out of the pity party.

For now, I'm counting down to 32 weeks. There's just one weekend between me and that awesome 32-week milestone. And today we have exactly one month left to reach 36 weeks - it seems like an impossible goal, so I'll just focus on getting through one day at a time.

10 comments:

BB said...

I am so glad you are holding up well (besides all the discomfort)... I hope that it continues for 4 more weeks. Good luck!

poppy.f.seed said...

Even if you don't make 36 weeks(and wow, that would be amazing!) look how far you've come, it is wonderful!

Mrs. Gamgee said...

I am so impressed with how you have gotten through this challenging pregnancy! I will be sending prayers and keeping my fingers crossed that all will continue to go well for you, and that you won't be TOO uncomfortable.

Anonymous said...

Oh Honey, just one moment at a time....not even a day at a time.....try and distract yourself with some movies you won't get to see for a long time, have stories read to you....I hope you are getting lots of visitors rallying around you about now. Ag Man! Aim for November 13th Amelia's Birthday!! That would be so aweseome! (for me, he he). Sent you an email earlier today let me know what you think....no rush and the same will apply as time progresses and if I am still in the same flush position with girly clothes.....I'm learning how to be a "Girl" Mom....so many cute outfilts out there. Then again we have 30 odd years plus to catch up on that fun! Think dolls (do you have any?), Teddy Bear Parties....Ballet Shoes.......or do you envisage some Tomboys?

Hugs and get through the Weekend now m'kay! Even though you have 3 (no longer beans but buns).....you have now surpassed our surprise of Amelia's 30 week arrival! Good Job! And you know multiples are usually preemies......Keep cookin'

jenicini said...

Yay, you are still hanging on! Your side-effects of being prego do not sound fun. No matter how long it took you to get to this point, it's still not comfy! You're getting there!

A said...

You are right- take it one day at a time! You are doing wonderful and it will be here before you know it :)

Michele said...

Just one day at a time! You can do it!

Anonymous said...

I feel the same way, the complaints about the pains of being pregnant and remembering the difficulty it is for so many of my online friends. I'm so lucky it only took 2 IVF cycles, I should not ever complain. I do want to record honesty about my pregnancy tho. I want to read back in a year or so and remember everything about my last pregnancy ever in my life time. and maybe? My future great grand children will be able to find my posts on my Blog and it will mean something to them.
Congratulations on making it to 31 weeks!

Amber said...

Glad to hear things are going well...Good luck making it to 36 weeks...you can do it!!! Thinking about you and those girls and hoping for no NICU time. :-)

Tam said...

Just checking in on you, I'm watching that ticker go up day by day and praying that your little miracles are growing nicely!

Good luck with everything!!