Baby A was the contortionist this week (Sorry for the crappy picture dang phone)
Thursday, April 19, 2012
22 weeks (almost)
FINALLY! An uneventful week. I feel great, the babies are moving around all the time, and G got a week he didn't have to work crazy over time. We also got awesome news that my disability claim got approved until 6 weeks after the babies are here. Phew what a relieve. We've only got 2 more weeks until the shower which should go fast. My buddy Em came down last weekend and kept me company, which was awesome! This weekend we have a wedding to go to. Then the following weekend a birthday party. Then the shower! I'm so excited. I can get my full on nesting on. G has been so good making me sit and drink. He's too cute. We have been trying to take walks in the evening since it's so nice. I usually don't get to far (maybe only to the ice cream shop and back...) but I still have lots of contractions when I do too much. But it does feel to get out of the house for a little. The puppies are loving it too. We are inching our way to the 24 week- Viability mark. It will take a small sigh of relieve when we get there. My new doctors are so amazing, helpful, and supportive. I couldn't be happier with my decision to switch. So here's to another uneventful week!!
Baby A was the contortionist this week (Sorry for the crappy picture dang phone)
Baby B is cute as ever (so is a for that matter! I'm that mom!)
And what would a walk in the park be without daddy taking a picture of me being the dork that I am. Believe me this is the least dorky one but you can see my beastly belly.
Baby A was the contortionist this week (Sorry for the crappy picture dang phone)
Monday, April 9, 2012
20 Weeks
It has been quite a week (I feel like I say that a lot!) so if you make it through this post you deserve a cookie.
Thursday: G got home early from work so we thought it be nice to get out of the house and go to our favorite place.... Lowe's of course. I got in the shower and got ready. By the time that was over I started getting this tight feeling in my belly that would come and go. I thought hmm I wonder if that is what a braxton hicks contraction feels like. It was weird but I didn't put much thought into it. We went to lowe's but by the time we made the 10 minute drive I was having them more frequently so I opted to just sit in the car. My big outing reduced to sitting in the parking lot but I was just glad to see something other than these 4 walls. We went to dinner and I devoured a yummy cheeseburger (my absolute new fav thing) By the time we got home they were happening more frequently. After I had 7 in an hour I decided I should probably call the OB. She decided I should go to labor and delivery to be checked out. Poor G had to fast forward the Red Sox game opener that he tivo'd only to see that they had lost. I knew this the whole time but didn't want to ruin it for him. Then we headed into l&d. They hooked me up to the monitor and I was having "irritability." I still haven't got a clear definition of what that is but they say if it doesn't cause cervical change it's normal. They gave me 2 doses of terbutaline, which is a smooth muscle relaxer, and they stopped. I begged them to check my cervix while I was there given the last time I had similar experience with this feeling my cervix had changed. Needless to say the didn't find it "necessary." Poor G was so nervous he didn't shut up the whole time we were there. Anyone who knows anything about G knows he doesn't talk much. He even went and talked to the nurse to make sure the machine is working. Usually he's like "Don't worry they'll be back soon." He said it hit him all of a sudden being there that our babies are coming soon and we are sooo not ready. It was very cute and sweet.
Friday: I found out my disability had only been approved through the end of march since my cervix improved from the 16 weeks episode. I was freaking out about that because I just know if I go back to working 12 hour shifts it would not end well. I had a follow up appointment that afternoon with my OB, of which I was certain he would agree and assist me in getting my claim approved. BOY was I wrong. To say I was emotional prior to going in would definitely be an understatement. G tried so hard to be there with me but DC traffic on a Friday afternoon ain't for the weak of heart. So I was on my own with him on stand by on the phone. The doctor came in to assess me and I expressed my concern about the fact that the last time I had these "pains" I had cervical change and no one checked me in L&D. He persisted to tell me everything was fine, normal, nothing to worry about. He kept referring to my pains as "cramping." Maybe I'm being a little OCD but this felt very different then cramping. He said if it's not more than 5 in an hour i shouldn't be concerned. I then said well it was more like 6 in an hour. Then he changed his story and said if it's not more than 7 in an hour not to call. He then did his exam and said my abdomen was so tight he couldn't even feel where my uterus was. I'm pretty sure that's not normal since they haven't had issues with that in the past. He chalked it up to me having strong abdominal muscles. Clearly he didn't see my pizza 6 pack prior to pregnancy. Once I started talking to him about disability, of which we agreed at 16 weeks was the best choice, he said he was not surprised it was denied and there is no "hard evidence" that I need to be on it. I should just go back to work, everything is fine, all normal, as long as it doesn't cause cervical change. This is the part that bothered me the most. How the HHHH can you say it didn't cause change when you didn't even check. So I broke down. When I say broke down, I mean ugly cry borderline panic attack. What was his reaction you ask, o gotta get these notes in the computer, o were you crying, see me in 2 weeks, then left the room. I was in there long enough to try to collect myself that they came and checked on me. I may have a lot of anxiety about this pregnancy (most would right?!) but I am far from an idiot. He also had the nerve to tell me "If you took a biology class you would know what the muscles are doing." I was so shocked I couldn't even say A-HOLE I went to nursing school. Just as I was pulling out of the parking lot G was pulling in and all I could mutter was the babies are OK. It took me a good 40 minutes to calm down and tell him what happened. Needless to say he was not pleased and said no ma'am you are not going back to work, we will figure this out! And then he made me sit on my butt all weekend while he nested and got rid of a bunch of crap in our house. Yea he's pretty awesome.
Monday: I just was not satisfied with this doctors assessment (funny how work imitates life) so I called my high risk doc. He squeezed me in this morning. I've never wanted to be wrong so much in my life. As it turns out I was right though. Not only had my cervix went back down to 2.8/2.6 under pressure but I now have funneling. Funneling is dilation from the inside. Fortunately it isn't a bad case but at 20 weeks it certainly raises a red flag. He agreed that I should absolutely not go back to work and I should decrease my activity even further. He prescribed me 2 medications to stop/slow the contractions. He was kind enough to address the disability several times in his report and print out a copy for me to fax to the insurance company. (something the OB refused to do) I'm definitely uneasy about all of this and the next 4 weeks until Viability day can not go fast enough! But I definitely feel good that I followed my instincts and went around that jack wad OB. Bet you can't guess that I switched OB's already. I went to drop off my chart copy to the new doctor. The nurse that was helping originally said it can take up to a week for the new dr. to read through my chart and accept me as a patient, but she took the initiative and went and told the dr. about me who immediately accepted me. I mean I already feel like I'm getting better care!
The babies are doing great though. Still moving and shaking. I'm starting to feel them more but poor G is still left out of the loop. Hopefully in the next couple weeks he will be able to join in. Please pray for this poor guys sanity! He is working double time to keep up, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, being my fetcher. And never once has he come close to complaining. Where did I find this guy? Back off ladies I'm keeping him!!!
Baby A was suckin on his/her thumb. sooo cute. Daddy was sad he didn't see it :(
Baby B is proving to be more and more like daddy every day. I can't even touch my toes and am sad to say my husband is far more flexible than I'll ever be. I don't even know how this kid did it but he/she was sniffing their knees! baby b the bendy baby.
Hopefully the next update will be more like.... babies are great mama and daddy are great!
Thursday: G got home early from work so we thought it be nice to get out of the house and go to our favorite place.... Lowe's of course. I got in the shower and got ready. By the time that was over I started getting this tight feeling in my belly that would come and go. I thought hmm I wonder if that is what a braxton hicks contraction feels like. It was weird but I didn't put much thought into it. We went to lowe's but by the time we made the 10 minute drive I was having them more frequently so I opted to just sit in the car. My big outing reduced to sitting in the parking lot but I was just glad to see something other than these 4 walls. We went to dinner and I devoured a yummy cheeseburger (my absolute new fav thing) By the time we got home they were happening more frequently. After I had 7 in an hour I decided I should probably call the OB. She decided I should go to labor and delivery to be checked out. Poor G had to fast forward the Red Sox game opener that he tivo'd only to see that they had lost. I knew this the whole time but didn't want to ruin it for him. Then we headed into l&d. They hooked me up to the monitor and I was having "irritability." I still haven't got a clear definition of what that is but they say if it doesn't cause cervical change it's normal. They gave me 2 doses of terbutaline, which is a smooth muscle relaxer, and they stopped. I begged them to check my cervix while I was there given the last time I had similar experience with this feeling my cervix had changed. Needless to say the didn't find it "necessary." Poor G was so nervous he didn't shut up the whole time we were there. Anyone who knows anything about G knows he doesn't talk much. He even went and talked to the nurse to make sure the machine is working. Usually he's like "Don't worry they'll be back soon." He said it hit him all of a sudden being there that our babies are coming soon and we are sooo not ready. It was very cute and sweet.
Friday: I found out my disability had only been approved through the end of march since my cervix improved from the 16 weeks episode. I was freaking out about that because I just know if I go back to working 12 hour shifts it would not end well. I had a follow up appointment that afternoon with my OB, of which I was certain he would agree and assist me in getting my claim approved. BOY was I wrong. To say I was emotional prior to going in would definitely be an understatement. G tried so hard to be there with me but DC traffic on a Friday afternoon ain't for the weak of heart. So I was on my own with him on stand by on the phone. The doctor came in to assess me and I expressed my concern about the fact that the last time I had these "pains" I had cervical change and no one checked me in L&D. He persisted to tell me everything was fine, normal, nothing to worry about. He kept referring to my pains as "cramping." Maybe I'm being a little OCD but this felt very different then cramping. He said if it's not more than 5 in an hour i shouldn't be concerned. I then said well it was more like 6 in an hour. Then he changed his story and said if it's not more than 7 in an hour not to call. He then did his exam and said my abdomen was so tight he couldn't even feel where my uterus was. I'm pretty sure that's not normal since they haven't had issues with that in the past. He chalked it up to me having strong abdominal muscles. Clearly he didn't see my pizza 6 pack prior to pregnancy. Once I started talking to him about disability, of which we agreed at 16 weeks was the best choice, he said he was not surprised it was denied and there is no "hard evidence" that I need to be on it. I should just go back to work, everything is fine, all normal, as long as it doesn't cause cervical change. This is the part that bothered me the most. How the HHHH can you say it didn't cause change when you didn't even check. So I broke down. When I say broke down, I mean ugly cry borderline panic attack. What was his reaction you ask, o gotta get these notes in the computer, o were you crying, see me in 2 weeks, then left the room. I was in there long enough to try to collect myself that they came and checked on me. I may have a lot of anxiety about this pregnancy (most would right?!) but I am far from an idiot. He also had the nerve to tell me "If you took a biology class you would know what the muscles are doing." I was so shocked I couldn't even say A-HOLE I went to nursing school. Just as I was pulling out of the parking lot G was pulling in and all I could mutter was the babies are OK. It took me a good 40 minutes to calm down and tell him what happened. Needless to say he was not pleased and said no ma'am you are not going back to work, we will figure this out! And then he made me sit on my butt all weekend while he nested and got rid of a bunch of crap in our house. Yea he's pretty awesome.
Monday: I just was not satisfied with this doctors assessment (funny how work imitates life) so I called my high risk doc. He squeezed me in this morning. I've never wanted to be wrong so much in my life. As it turns out I was right though. Not only had my cervix went back down to 2.8/2.6 under pressure but I now have funneling. Funneling is dilation from the inside. Fortunately it isn't a bad case but at 20 weeks it certainly raises a red flag. He agreed that I should absolutely not go back to work and I should decrease my activity even further. He prescribed me 2 medications to stop/slow the contractions. He was kind enough to address the disability several times in his report and print out a copy for me to fax to the insurance company. (something the OB refused to do) I'm definitely uneasy about all of this and the next 4 weeks until Viability day can not go fast enough! But I definitely feel good that I followed my instincts and went around that jack wad OB. Bet you can't guess that I switched OB's already. I went to drop off my chart copy to the new doctor. The nurse that was helping originally said it can take up to a week for the new dr. to read through my chart and accept me as a patient, but she took the initiative and went and told the dr. about me who immediately accepted me. I mean I already feel like I'm getting better care!
The babies are doing great though. Still moving and shaking. I'm starting to feel them more but poor G is still left out of the loop. Hopefully in the next couple weeks he will be able to join in. Please pray for this poor guys sanity! He is working double time to keep up, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, being my fetcher. And never once has he come close to complaining. Where did I find this guy? Back off ladies I'm keeping him!!!
Hopefully the next update will be more like.... babies are great mama and daddy are great!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Half Baked!
19 weeks baby! Since the doctor won't let me go past 38 weeks, I'm officially half way done if not more. I've been off work for almost 3 weeks now. This is the longest I've been off since I was 13 years old when I got my first job. I'm not completely going insane yet. I'm finding little things to do. But I get so tuckered out so fast. It's really pathetic. I think I'm asleep as many hours as I'm awake. It has definitely helped though. My excruciating ligament pain had significantly decreased, thank ya Jesus! And the best news is my cervix has improved. When I went in last Thursday for the recheck, I think I floated out I was so happy. As if to say, everything is OK mama, baby A gave me a nice little kick during the ultrasound. Or she/he could have been just saying alright I'm done mom, get this lady off me. (which is probably more accurate!) These kids are just too funny. I love seeing them. I feel like I'll know them so much before they are even born. So we will continue to get checked every 2 weeks. It makes me feel better that the doctors are on top of things and are being proactive (even if it was to just shut me up.) Plus I get to see them and get tons and tons of pictures. Other than that things are just crazing along. Daddy got the nesting bug this weekend and cleaned out all the storage areas and got rid of so much crap. This is music to my purging ears! Usually he's a pack rat so I was impressed at how much he got rid off. He found a picture of the embryos from our 2nd cycle. I couldn't help but be sad for those babies. While we have never suffered a loss of a pregnancy, thank God, we still feel the loss of what could have been. It makes it easier that these babies are here but the scars of infertility are always a little raw. G put the picture up to my belly and said "say hi to your brothers and sisters." I tear up just thinking about it. From the darkness into the light.
Daddy Bites- Call him mr. mom but he is amazing. I cook dinner, he does EVERYTHING else. With the cervical issues happening the doctor told him he'd have to pick up the house work. I just laughed and said he already does! We have a little routine when he gets home. Of course Boston and Gandy get the first kisses, God forbid boston have to wait! Then I get a kiss, then the babies get a kiss. Daddy is definitely the most popular in this house. Everyone wants his attention.
Oh! In other news, after almost 5 years of marriage I've finally changed my last name. I won't lie, I cried. I've been that person for so long. But I've given that person up to be this person. A wife, a mother. So it's worth it. I'm sllooowwwlly getting used to it. Even G was a little sad to see my name go. That's all he's ever known me as. We agreed when he "yells" at me when I say something stupid he can still call me Kristen Ashley Mottinger. It just seems more appropriate to be yelled out that way.
Now for the half baked baby bump. Over night I got bigger so it's even bigger now. No seriously, I went to bed with an innie belly button and woke up with a flatter one. It was the weirdest thing!
Daddy Bites- Call him mr. mom but he is amazing. I cook dinner, he does EVERYTHING else. With the cervical issues happening the doctor told him he'd have to pick up the house work. I just laughed and said he already does! We have a little routine when he gets home. Of course Boston and Gandy get the first kisses, God forbid boston have to wait! Then I get a kiss, then the babies get a kiss. Daddy is definitely the most popular in this house. Everyone wants his attention.
Oh! In other news, after almost 5 years of marriage I've finally changed my last name. I won't lie, I cried. I've been that person for so long. But I've given that person up to be this person. A wife, a mother. So it's worth it. I'm sllooowwwlly getting used to it. Even G was a little sad to see my name go. That's all he's ever known me as. We agreed when he "yells" at me when I say something stupid he can still call me Kristen Ashley Mottinger. It just seems more appropriate to be yelled out that way.
Now for the half baked baby bump. Over night I got bigger so it's even bigger now. No seriously, I went to bed with an innie belly button and woke up with a flatter one. It was the weirdest thing!
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