A phone call....

Well there I was, washing the boys' sheets, blankets, clothes, etc. (Apparently this is what is referred to as nesting :ibiggrin: and I received a phone call from my doctor. Allow me to enlighten y'all on the situation before I explain the phone call.


After what has been a very quiet and healthy pregnancy, at 31 weeks, I was hospitalized for what we now know is pre-e and PTL. I posted previously about both hospital stays I believe. They also put me on nifedipine for bloode pressure but also it stops contractions. I broke through the medication once and went back to the E.R. and thats what resulted in hospital stay #2. During my first visit, they did steroid shots for the boys' lungs and allowed that to run its course. We also found out that both boys are in the top 50 percentile for their weight. (A month ago, they were roughly 4lbs a piece) So I would imagine their weight is close to 5lbs now, and my next u/s is on the 23rd.....which my doctor responded with, "Well I dont think you'll make it that far".


So here's the phone call; My OB, my Peri and another high risk OB sat down between monday and now, and all decided it was okay for me to come off my medicine. Synthetically preventing labor at this point isn't the healthiest or best option any longer. Their only main concern is monitoring my blood pressure. Which I have my own monitor at home that I bought after my first hospital stay. My OB thinks that its okay if the boys come now because of their weight and since the steroid shots have run their course for their lungs. I wouldnt ever question the authority of the doctors, and I'm EXTREMELY excited about meeting my sons, etc. And I firmly believe that if the doctors/specialists didnt feel they were ready to come into the world, they wouldnt take me off the nifedipine. (and of course with my luck, now that I have "permission" to go into labor, it wont come :angry

I've been contracting every so often, but not enough to go to the hospital. I have cramps and backpain associated with those that come with a menstrual period. So I truly feel in my heart that once off the medicine, labor will follow suit. My question, or rather inquiry is, should I concern myself overly with how the boys will fair once outside? I trust my doctors whole heartedly, but a part of me is still concerned that at a little over 33 weeks, this may be a bit too soon. I would feel 100 times better if I could make it to 34 weeks. I still have my twice weekly visits for NST's, so I'll be closely monitored, as I have been. I also have been taking pure salmon oil everyday since the beginning of my 3rd trimester for the omega-3 and DHA to help with their brain development, as I was aware from the beginning that twins are notorious for being born early, when brain development is very rapid in the last remaining weeks. So I have tried my hardest to give these 2 the best and healthiest head start as possible.


Thank you for reading my neurotic rambling :rotflmbo: I'm also a little young (23 on monday-so yes, they'll probably give me a birthday present) so apart of me also cant help but think this is just me being a scared first time mother.

 

I think you are right to be nervous. If there is no danger on the inside, than it is better than the outside.
I'd take it easy, try not to worry (I know easier said than done). 34 weeks is better than 33, and 35 and 36 even better. If it were me, apart from my doctor's visits I'd do nothing, go self-inflicted partial bed rest. Take it easy, stay hydrated and try to relax and think happy thought.

Either way, you don't have long to go now. You're boys will be with you when they are ready and this will all be a blurr.

 

Did they say why they didn't think continuing with the medication would not be better? I would tend to think that they would want to err on the side of caution and keep them in for as long as possible. If you do discontinue with the med, I would agree with pp and say that you should rest as much as possible.

 

I was wondering this as well.


I agree, at this point rest as much as you can. It really is hard to say how they will fair once they are born, you just really never know. I can tell you the steroid shots will help. :good: I truly believe they helped my two. I would imagine they would have some NICU time, probably just as growers and feeders.

Good luck and keep us posted. Hang in there until then. :hug:

 

The only reason they gave me for discontinuing the medication is because they feel that with the steroid shots and their projected weight, they would fair well in our world. Because labor has been stopped twice, their reasoning is to just let nature run its course now.


I dont do much activity now as the weight has finally taken a toll on my back, hips and knees. I live in Texas, so staying hydrated is a MUST!! I even took this past semester from school off, just to go ahead and give myself time to relax, rest and prepare as much as possible for the boys. I have a year left so I figured I could spare a few months to give my body time to adjust.


Thank you ladies for the advice and I have my 2nd of twice weekly NST's tomorrow, so I will post an update soon! :thanks:

 

I feel for you mom :hug: and keeping you in my thoughts :hug: :hug: Hope you have a great birthday :birthday:

 

You can try some calcium/magnesium supplements (they keep your uterus supple/not contracting). I followed Dr. Barbara Luke's book on it and when I stopped taking the supplements, that's when I started getting harder BH contractions and a week later my water broke. PM me if you want the specific amounts of calcium/magnesium.

Good luck,

Michelle

 

At 33/34 weeks gestation, honestly, yes, I would be concerned. Sometimes there is nothing you can do to prevent labor, but in other cases I would be doing everything in my power to keep them in.

I agree, and did.

:hug:

 

One factor that might favor an earlier delivery is the diagnosis of pre-e. I've heard that can take a turn for the worse very quickly. How is it being managed?

 

I've been diagnosed with pre-e, but only a mild case. My protein count was 455 in my urine. I was on the Nifedipine for blood pressure as well as contractions. Other than tons of rest and hydration, thats the only prescription I have for the pre-e.

 

This is what I would be quizzing the OB about -- why isn't it the healthiest option at this point? Is the concern about side effects from the medicine, the risks associated with pre-e, or something else?

 

I had my twins at 20 so I know the young mommy syndrome. I had the girls at 34 weeks and 1 day. We had one lbw baby at 2lbs 13oz and one more normal for gestation at 4 lbs 9oz. We delivered early for their health. Jessy the smaller of the 2 had no o2 and Jazz had 2 hours of o2 (Ihad steriods at 26 weeks). Jazz stayed in the nicu for 15 days and Jess stayed in for 21 days. Jess has a congential heart murmur but other wise they don't have major health problems