22 Weeks

22 weeks today!  2 more weeks to viability which I never gave any thought to with my singleton pregnancies but now with twins each week seems so important.  My stomach feels completely stretch to the limits at times even though I know there is more room in there.  I'm no where near yet where I got to in my other pregnancies, I just think that I'm getting there faster so my skin is not so happy.  I fill so full all the time, or starving.  There doesn't seem to be any in between.  I'm also up 20 lbs.  It was 25 lbs. but I cut down on the Ben & Jerrys Ice Cream..boo. 

All in all I'm doing great.  I'm still having contractions but they aren't at all consistent.  The daddies are on a babymoon.  I'm happy they scheduled it this early.  They will be back by 23 weeks.  If they had gone later in the pregnancy I would be a nervous wreck.  So I'm hoping for June to be a nice enjoyable month, and then to spend a lot of time on the couch in July catching my breath.  I'm not even thinking about August and being 31-35 weeks pregnant with twins:)  I'm curious if I'll be able to work full time until the end.  I can't imagine hauling myself from the parking garage to my office at that point!!

Honestly although I'm more nervous about being pregnant with twins there isn't much noticeable difference so far.  I'm out of breath quite a lot.  My energy comes and goes.  Nothing that would be striking enough though I think that if I hadn't known I was having twins that I would know the difference.  I am starting to feel the babies more often but even that is still pretty faint due to the anterior placentas.  And most people seemed surprised I don't look bigger.  No one seems to think I look ready to deliver yet:)  So I'm just enjoying things so far.

Here is a picture of 21 weeks after spending a few hours at the pool with the kids:

Notice the stretch marks from previous pregnancies shining through.  I hold out no hope for this one!!

20 weeks!

20 weeks 5 days actually:)  It seems like such a milestone even though knowing my Doctor doesn't plan on letting me go past 37 weeks we are already past the halfway mark.  Only a little over 3 short weeks to viability.  The guys were here for the ultrasound today with the MFM.  Everything looked great.  Babies are measuring right on track, within 1 day of each other and both are 13ounces.  I think the guys also enjoyed seeing and walking around with an obviously pregnant woman in their midst.  Every little bit makes this feel more real.

I have felt very rested and have had energy the last few days and with everything that we have had going on let me just say THANK YOU BELLY.  After the last couple of weeks and my total exhaustion I was very concerned that I had already hit a wall.  Everything else has gone so easy I was worried this was it, my life was over for the next few months, wake me up in August and tell me when to push:)  But nope, false alarm:)  I am trying to take it much easier though so that I do keep up my energy and get to enjoy the next few months. 

I have an appointment on the 4th with my new and improved Doctor.  Other than that we are hoping to settle nicely (and quietly) into summer.  I hope everyone else is able to do the same. 

19 week ultrasound

Yesterday I had my 19 week 1 day ultrasound.  The lady was super nice and went straight to the internal ultrasound.  Not my favorite but important in measuring a ladys cervix right.  Glad she seemed to get it.  As soon as the screen came up you could see baby boy A's head right against it.  He is head first at the exit sign a little to soon.  This explains all the pressure I feel if I walk very much.  But the good news is my cervix is at 4.8 which is fantastic.  Bad news is I was having a contraction while having the u/s.  Really?  Sounds like 5 more months of false alarms and nervousness..  Hopefully my body settles down a little bit and lets me relax!!  19 weeks is way to early to be even thinking about contractions, even if they are braxton hicks!

I did find out at this appointment that my OB is moving his office to one on the other side of town.  One of the main reasons I picked this OB was because of location.  It was right down the street from my work.  Especially with a twin pregnancy I'm guessing I'll be going a lot towards the end.  I think this gives me the push (excuse) I need to change OBs.

I'm feeling exhausted most of the time which is different from my other pregnancies.  It gets frustrating because this is the time I should feel the best and have the most energy.  If I'm this tired 2nd trimester, I can't even imagine what the 3rd one will look like!!  Otherwise I'm doing great.  I can't really complain if laying around is my biggest problem:)

Contraction Action

This weekend I did as little as possible.  I figured it was time to catch up, take a nap, relax.  So Sunday we finally go to a movie at noon.  Once I settle in my chair the contractions start.  They aren't painful but they are consistent and some take my breath away.  I drank a 32 oz cup of water.  Still contractions.  We nix the shopping, go home and I drink another 32 oz cup of water then lay down.  Still contractions.  These things would just not go away and they were coming every few minutes.  Finally in the evening, worried about twins and not knowing what to worry about I head to L & D.  The machine did pick up the contractions although they weren't strong so the doctor on call decided to give me a shot of Terbutaline.  This did the trick and they sent me home.  Since my doctor appointment was Monday morning I felt comfortable with this. 

I'm seeing a new OB since mine moved shortly before the surrogacy process started.  He is very nice however he is constantly saying things like "with twins you just never know".  The problem is he never really explains all the doom and gloom of why and what is different with twins.  I know the basic concern is pre-term labor, but he also hasn't really addressed what he plans to look for or what I need to do.  Since I'm only 18 weeks I have thought at my previous appointments that the info would come as I got further along.  However, after Sunday's scare his comment after I asked what should I look for, should I have gone in was "well, if you are concerned it is good to go in".  Not the worse answer but was hoping more would follow, or he could expand upon something..really anything at this point.  I think since I see the MFM once a month he is just kind of relying on that to handle issues.  But if that is the case why am I even seeing my OB.

He did ask if I have a support person in place for when I have to give my babies up.  I explain how we are excited to be giving 'back' the babies to their parents and are looking forward to watching them together.  He says "well, your head may tell you that but your heart is a different story".  This is the doctors first experience with a surrogate so I'm not sure what he is referencing to know that I will have a breakdown and how I will feel when I give away 'my' babies?????   

I don't mind questions about surrogacy at all and part of being a surrogate I've found out is educating others around me because most people around here haven't really heard of it.  But what I didn't like is the doctor telling me how I would feel instead of asking me.  Big difference.  Tolerable from my cleaning lady who is concerned about me but not from my health care professional who is going to be delivering these babies.  UGH>  The parents come once a month for my MFM appointments but haven't yet met the OB.  I'm not sure if this attitude will change when he meets them or if we are heading in a bad direction. 

Anyway, with my first pregnancy I had a cerclage put in place because of some thinning issues early on.  My second I had one done as a precautionary measure.  After that I have had normal pregnancies but this is a Twin pregnancy and you "just never know".  My previous pregnancies braxton hicks contractions were also usually triggered by being worn out at the end of the day and go away in an hour or two.  So Sunday was a completely different experience and had me worried.  Because of this I guess at the end of my appointment after taking my blood pressure and listening to the heartbeats my doctor says I'm "doing great".  WHA???  He spent more time asking how my kids were handling this than having any concern if those contractions had any impact on my cervix.  For someone who is Mr. Doom and Gloom about twins he sure isn't doing anything about it.  And for the record my kids are very proud that we are helping another family.  (My doctor should be so smart).

I called back later and had my 20 week ultrasound moved up to this Thursday so I could get some peace of mind with my cervix.  They thought it was a good idea.  Next appointment I'm going in with a list of questions and keeping my ears open.  My hope is he will have an answer for my questions and be more comfortable with the surrogacy.  If not then I really need to change doctors I guess.  How frustrating. 

Everything else is great :)

17 week pic

I had a request for a belly shot :)  Here is 17 weeks.  I'll try to get better at posting them!!

This one is 12 weeks to compare.