Couch Potato and Baby Poll

Charlotte- 1 day old

We've had a crazy week this week twin-wise so I'm finally getting around to updating. Hopefully this will quash some of the rumors that have already started... I've had a few phone calls asking me if I'm in the hospital. I'm not- but we've definitely reached the "take it easy" phase of a twin pregnancy.

Here's my pregnancy progress report:
Weeks: 31
Measuring: 34 weeks (bigger around than I was at 36 weeks with Charlotte)
Blood pressure: Good
Pelvic pressure: INTENSE
Rolling over: beached-whale-ish
Cervix length: 21 mm Not good (I was 39 mm a month ago, 30-50 is normal) no dilating or effacing luckily. This is the main red flag so far.
Weight Gain: 3 lbs more than I was with Charlotte at this point- still at least 10 more to gain for minimum twin pregnancy weight
Braxton hicks contractions: more often- but we want to watch these since my "real" contractions weren't painful until 3 hours before I had Charlotte. My doctor gave me some medication to take if I start having too many braxton hicks just in case.

Gestational Diabetes: Negative- thank goodness because ice cream is a major food group around here

Anemia: slightly 11.6 (12 is good) all that meat Matt's been grilling is paying off, I am still taking an iron supplement

My doctor also did my beta step test, a test to see if I'll go into labor in the next 2 weeks, and a test for any infections just to be on the safe side again. We haven't heard the results from these yet.

Babies Progress report:
Both
Fluid: good
Heart rate: good
Movement: good

Baby Boy A:
Position: Head sitting right on cervix and bladder (hence the shortening and severe bruised feeling) The tech said she would be very surprised if he could move out of that position.
Estimated Weight: 3lbs 3 oz (28% still good) I'm so glad he reached the 3lb mark! Head and stomach measuring a little large.
Estimated Gestational Age: 30 weeks 6 days

Baby Girl B:
Position: Head up, high on left side pushing on ribs, gall bladder, and lungs
Estimated Weight: 2lbs 11 oz (15% small- almost the same as Charlotte at this age) Head and stomach measuring a little small.
Estimated Gestational Age: 28 weeks? can't remember for sure

Thanks to the cervix scare at the ultrasound in the morning I went to my doctor for a check-up and then the hospital for a Non-Stress test* that afternoon. These NSTs take forever with twins because they keep picking up each other's heartbeats and moving! I am now officially on "partial bed rest". Which means anything I can avoid doing I should avoid. As long as it doesn't involve lifting, or too much walking or standing, I can do it in moderation but if it starts causing contractions then I can't do it anymore. The scariest part for me was that they also gave me the two steroid shots to help the twins lungs develop just in case they come in the next 2 weeks. Next 2 weeks!!! No thank you! I didn't like hearing that- but I knew my doctor was just being cautious. I'm glad my cousin Brooke warned me they would hurt. I'd like to think I'm not a wimp but these were no regular shots- ouch!

So yes, I am getting worried about these babies coming too early but I'm trying to be a good couch potato to avoid that. I start my million appointments next week. I've already had so many wonderful friends and family step in to help us. Matt's been so great at coming home to make dinner and take care of Charlotte- even though he's got a ton going on at work right now too. Thank you for all your help, thoughts, and prayers!

Okay enough of that! I figure we'd better get the baby poll going before it's too late. Click on the link below and enter "WhitmerTwins" make sure and capitalize the right words, no spaces and guess when these babies will come. Anyone is welcome to guess but grandparents, aunts, uncles (and cousins if they'd like) are required! :-) Make sure and enter a guess for both babies- it's a little tricky.

Here are some stats to help you out:
Charlotte 11 days early, 5lbs 5 oz, 19.5 inches
Erin 1 week early, 8 lbs 20.25 inches
Matt 1-2 weeks early? 7lbs

My 40 week due date July 19 (almost NEVER happens with twins)
My 37 week due date is around June 29th- which is full term for twins


Half of twins come between weeks 36-38
One third of twins come before week 35
Both of my cousins that had twins made it almost to the end- around 37-38 weeks I think- I'll be really lucky if I do as well.
Most twins weigh between 4.5-6.5 pounds if they make it to 37 weeks- but Charlotte was small and both twins are below the 50%

Happy Guessing!

*Non-Stress test (NST) where hook you up to monitors on your belly to watch the babies heart rates, movement, and any contractions you're having just like they do in labor