Quadruplets

Mile Marker 28

Amber 13 Comments

We made it to week 28!!!! This is a HUGE milestone for us as the survival rate for the babies jumps up to 95% and the risks of long term disabilities drops dramatically. Of course we don’t really want the babies coming this week, but at least they have good chances if they did. I may not love being on house arrest, but I am really fortunate to still be home at this point. I love having my fur babies at my side all day and friends dropping by at home. Though I must admit, each day is a challenge for me. The discomforts increase each day and contractions are more common these days. It pained me to do it, but I had to take Tylenol in order to rest last night. I have had intermittent rib pain on the right the entire time (now exacerbated by Mason’s cute little feet), but it started on the left last night. I finally had to cry “uncle” and just had to down some Tylenol. I did actually sleep from 3:00-6:45 because of it.

I know each day the babies simmer is better for them, but my body is starting to rebel. Each day I put my big girl pants on (figuratively and literally) to make it another day because each day is a victory. Your prayers and positive thoughts have helped us make it here so please keep it up. As I become increasingly large and uncomfortable, my patience is thinning. So, perhaps pray that I remain calm and patient.

Hugs,

Amber

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Pray, Pray, Pray!

Amber 16 Comments

We had our weekly visit with Dr. Tabor today. That meant I fixed my hair, wore a “cute outfit”, and put on more make up than I have been. I have to admit, seeing the sunshine during the car ride was nice. Sometimes it is the simple things…

My vitals were all good and there were no signs of dilation. Also, my contractions have become fewer and further between, which is also good. George noticed that I always had contractions in the evening after taking my calcium supplement so I started taking it earlier in the day and spreading out the dosage. We mentioned this to Dr. Tabor who said we might be onto something since they use magnesium as a calcium blocker to stop premature contractions. Good observation, George!

After our last appointment, we knew we’d have to keep a close eye on tiny Sydney, but we didn’t know how much. Today she didn’t get the best report card. Her amniotic fluid levels are slightly low, which is causing some pressure on her umbilical cord and a lower heart rate than her siblings. What bothers me is that there isn’t really a treatment for this, just careful watching (and praying). I read that hydration can help so I will force some more fluids down even though I already drink a ton of water (George is excellent about keeping track of my water consumption and reprimanding me if I get behind). Extra fluids can’t hurt.

Dr. Tabor will continue to watch Sydney very closely to make sure conditions do not decline. If they do, all of the babies will have to be delivered much earlier than we would like. Of course with quads we have always known they would be premature, but ideally they would be delivered at 30-34 weeks. We are at 24 weeks now, which is the first point of viability. Babies born at 24 weeks have about a 50% chance of survival and the NICU could help their odds. While viability is a milestone, we do NOT want our babies arriving now. At 26 weeks, the survival rate jumps up to 80%, which is better but not great. However, babies born after 28 weeks have a 95% survival rate. Dr. Tabor said he would feel comfortable if we could make it to 28 weeks at least. This is all very scary still.

I am doing my best not to worry too much and remember the positives:

1. Rylin, Mason, and Harper are all doing well

2. my vitals continue to be good

3. while Sydney’s heart rate is lower than her siblings, it is still 140 bpm and that is within the normal range (the other three are at about 150 bpm)

4. Dr. Tabor said that Sydney is very active, which is a great sign

5. Dr. Tabor said he is not terribly concerned, he is just watching carefully. I know that if he were very concerned he would have admitted me today rather than making an appointment for next week. I trust him and know that he knows what is best for the babies.

Since prayer is one of the only treatments we have, please pray that Sydney’s conditions are stable and we do not need to deliver prior to 28 weeks. Also, pray that I stay calm! I do not need to work myself up about this. This may mean I will be taking LOTS more baths!

hugs,

Amber

http://www.marchofdimes.com/baby/premature_indepth.html

24 weeks, 2 days

Emotional much?

Amber 13 Comments

It is official, my hormones are in overdrive and I am an emotional roller coaster these days.  Here’s how the past two days have gone for me:

Yesterday we had our 20 week check up and it was GREAT!!!  Again, the babies are all the right size with good fluids.  Of course Rylin has not yet decided to head further north, but it’s okay.  I’m thinking she got a bit of the stubborn gene.  My vitals were also good.  I managed to hold off on another week of bed rest.  I left feeling very confident.

About 9:30 last night, less than four hours from my appointment, I started having Braxton Hicks contractions.  They weren’t painful, but my stomach was absolutely tightening.  This of course made me feel anxious and not so great.  I phoned a few friends and then decided to call the on-call doctor.  She said to drink water/ lay on my left side and if the continued for 30 more minutes to head to the hospital.  UGH!  She also thought my anxiety might be making them worse so I opted for a warm bath.  It helped, the contractions stopped and I was able to get to bed.  Okay, disaster averted.

This morning started off as usual with the rush hour nightmare that is my commute, but there was also a wreck where two highways merge so it was completely gridlocked.  I knew better than to get on the highway when I saw the sea of red taillights so I opted to stay on the service road and take some back roads.  The only problem was I wasn’t the only one with this brilliant idea.  The stop and go of the commute made me queasy so I felt rotten by the time I got into the building (I possibly had a green tinge to my face too).  What should have taken about 25 minutes took well over an hour.  I immediately headed to the  school nurse (she was a high-risk OB nurse before coming to the school system) to ask her about how to correctly monitor contractions and what to look for.  She immediately noticed I felt bad and naturally inquired.  Of course, this set me off into a crying spell for no apparent reason.  Sweet Nurse Patty sent me to my office with a blanket and literally made me rest on my side eating ice chips to calm me and settle my stomach.  However, throughout the day when certain people would stop in or I would start talking about something (not sad), tears would start flowing for no reason.  But, the good news is that I did survive the day and managed to finish a report!

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This picture really doesn’t fully capture the gridlock fun I experienced, but it’s an idea. ARGH!!!!

This evening when I got home, George was very thoughtful and made Chex mix for me.  That was the perfect way to wrap up an overly emotional day for me!  However, as he was making the Chex mix, I decided to catch up with my emails and blog reading.  Of course, someone posted a You Tube video about a man who was a disabled veteran who was told he could never walk again. As I watched videos of him learning to walk again and then practice yoga, tears streamed down my cheeks!  However, as I bawled, I simultaneously laughed at myself!  I knew it was silly, but could not stop either.  It is like a lucid dream, so weird.  I managed to get it together and enjoy watching some Big Bang Theory with George as I stuffed my face with Chex Mix.

He has the keys to my heart!

George is so smart…he suggested that I head to work extra early to beat rush hour and leave early to get home before rush hour hits again.  Why didn’t I think of that???  So, here’s to a better day tomorrow perhaps with less gridlock.  Just maybe…I’ll be able to control my emotions.

hugs!

Amber

18 weeks and Still Truckin’

Amber 7 Comments

This week we saw Dr. Tabor for our 18 week check up.  All of the babies measured the correct size and had good fluid levels.  Baby A is settled a little bit too low, which puts me at risk of placenta previa.  However, Dr. Tabor thinks she may move up in the next few weeks so he is not concerned at this point.  If she doesn’t find a way to head north, I would be put on bed rest due to a risk of bleeding. Placenta previa also means a c-section is necessary, but that would happen for us anyways so it doesn’t make a difference in that regard.

Dr. Tabor seemed surprised at how well I am doing.  After my exam he said, “hmmm”, which was a bit confusing.  I asked what he meant and he said, “it looks good”.  He said my blood pressure was “rocking” (good), and I have no swelling so no bed rest!  I’ve been granted another week of freedom.  I don’t want to take advantage of my freedom though.  I try to take it as easy as possible and not over do (this can be hard for me sometimes, but totally is worth it!)

hugs!

 

Amber