Bedrest

When I was not quite 27 weeks along my doctor requested that I get an ultrasound, just to make sure everything was alright with the boys.  My husband was out of town on business (as usual) and so my dear little sister came along with me.  Everything looked great with the boys, they were growing well and seemed healthy...but then the tech got quiet.  Never something you want to have happen.  She mentioned that my cervix seemed a little short (I had no idea what that meant) and she went to tell my doctor.  My doctor immediately pulled me into one of the rooms and checked everything out.  I was 80% effaced.  He was not too thrilled.  He told me to quit my job and to go on modified bed rest.  I was devastated.  As a sixth grade teacher, quitting your job is not easy or possible.  So the next day I drove to my school, got a substitute, and tried to arrange for a 16 week substitute for my class.  Luckily, I had been pretty inspired (call it motherly intuition, call it luck, call it being prepared, I call it the spirit) to write sub plans that began the first week of February.  Amazingly enough, it was the very end of January when I was put on bed rest.  I simply had to refine my plans and add a bit more detail.  I picked my husband up from the airport and then bed rest began.  I was allowed to sit up, get up to grab some lunch, go on a date with my husband, etc.  On Monday I went to the doctor again only to discover I was now 90% effaced and dilating (I was at a 1).  I was put on strict bed rest (only allowed to get up to go to the bathroom and take a bath).  I thought it was the end of the world.  Not only because I had to lay in bed all day long, but because my babies were coming way too early.  I never once broke my bed rest rules.  My family/friends were incredible and helped me out every single day.  My husband also stepped right up to the plate and was a complete angel.  I also picked quite a few projects to keep me busy and that was a huge help.  So, here is my advice for those who have to go on bed rest:

-Don't be afraid to ask for help.  People are so willing to help.  Meals, cleaning the house, taking care of other children, simply keeping you company, grocery shopping, etc.  You need help--ask for it and accept it, and be grateful for it.

-Pick several projects that you CAN do.  Here are a few ideas: crochet/knit items for your baby (I made each of the boys their own afghan), sew a quilt (I not only sewed it while laying down but I also quilted it by hand), learn a new skill (buy a book about photography, quilting, knitting, photoshop, etc.), work on a blog book, write a blog, write a book, read an exciting book series (i.e. Uglies, Twilight, Hunger Games, Harry Potter, etc), tie quilts/make things for a local shelter, make a scrapbook, write detailed lesson plans for your sixth grade class, keep a journal for your baby, read a college textbook and learn something new, make a felt busy book for your baby, put together your favorite recipes into a cookbook.  Lots of things!  

-Get a wedge for your legs so that you can put them up.  Lying on your side for hours and hours sure hurts.

-Get/make plenty of rice packs to heat up and put on your legs, back, whatever aches that day.

-Keep in mind how important this is for your baby.  It helps you keep a positive attitude.

-Make a bed on a couch in your house and go there every once in a while for a change of scenery. 

-Get dressed and put on make-up and do your hair in the morning (it's tricky while in bed...but it really helps).  It really makes the day feel brighter.

-Open the blinds.  Look outside.  It's pretty.  Enjoy it!

-Buy a tray for food/laptop.  I hated spilling food all over the place.  Also, my camelback water bottle SAVED me--drinking from a cup is a pain while laying down.

-Invite friends over for a get together.  You can watch a movie, play games, etc. while you are laying down.  It's a good way to change things up.

-Get yummy take-out with your husband. 

-Subscribe to netflix and pick out some favorite movies.  Watch an interesting series.

-Dress up when you get to go to the doctor and take advantage of your own trip out a week--it's very exciting.

-Most of all--follow the rules.  They are for your safety and your baby's.  

Twin Santas

One thing I really love about having twins is the people we get to meet.  At first I used to be annoyed that we would be stopped constantly by people asking about the twins and asking all sorts of personal questions (i.e. "so...do twins run in your family or did you do infertility treatments?") But now I love it.  People are so cute and are so kind.  One of my favorite moments was when we were in Costco and I was blocking an isle with a cart + a stroller while we waited for my husband to return from getting his millionth sample.  This older man came up behind me and I quickly apologized for blocking the way and he touched my shoulder and said, "oh no, I was simply admiring you.  I'm sure it's a lot of work, but you are going to love it someday."  What a sweet little thing to say.  Well, yesterday we took the boys to see Santa.  The workers were going wild over the babies and took tons of pictures of them.  Here is just my favorite one.

FAQ about Twin Pregnancy

Here are answers to a few of the questions I commonly am asked about my pregnancy with the twins:
Do all twin moms have to go on bedrest?
Nope.  My neighbor has triplets AND twins and carried both sets to term (38 weeks) and never had any bed rest.  Other friends of mine have done the same.  It is completely dependent on the mom and the pregnancy.
Were you sicker for this pregnancy?
Well, considering the fact that I have never been pregnant before, I couldn't say.  However, my symptoms were extremely easy compared to most pregnant women so I truly think it, again, is dependent on the mom and the pregnancy.  Another neighbor of mine is much sicker with her twins right now than she was with her first baby, but that can happen to any mom.  I did get migraines with the twins, which I never had before.
How much weight did you gain?
I only made it to 30 weeks gestation with my twins, so my weight gain isn't exactly helpful.  But, I gained 30 pounds with my twins.  I started showing at about 12 weeks and got bigger and bigger each day :).  My mother-in-law constantly reminded me of that fact when she would say "Wow, you look 7 months pregnant" when I was only 5 months along.  Not necessary :).
Were the doctor appointments different?
Again, I don't have my own pregnancies to compare this too--but I do have 4 sisters who have children so I can compare it to them.  I got to have ultrasounds at every single appointment, unlike most pregnant women.  I also always measured a lot bigger than women with one baby.  We did a lot of discussion about preemies and stress and stuff that probably isn't discussed as much in singleton appointments.  Also, at 29 weeks I started going for stress tests (which were going to happen every week).
Were you allowed to work out?
I was not.  I was allowed to walk (but not too fast) and swim (but not too fast).  I spent a lot of time walking in the pool at our neighborhood gym.  It felt so nice to feel the pressure relieved and to be doing a little exercise.
Did you continue working?
I was a sixth grade teacher and worked up until my 27th week when I was put on bed rest.  Perhaps this is part of the reason I went into premature labor--it was a high stress, high energy job and I may have pushed it a little hard.  However, I loved it and still feel sad I left my students so early.
How was it to have 2 babies moving inside of you?
It was so much fun to feel the interactions so early.  I remember distinctly when Owen was kicking Isaac like crazy one night.  Owen was ALWAYS our active baby and Isaac was much less so (and so their personalities have continued).  Well, after about 30 minutes of being kicked Isaac had had enough and I felt this HUGE kick that you could see on my stomach.  There was quite a lull in movement for a few moments after that!  It was tricky when one would be up in my ribcage and the other would be down near my pelvis--that was pretty uncomfortable, but it really was amazing.
Did you know if they were fraternal or identical when you were pregnant?
We were pretty positive they were fraternal because of our infertility treatments.  They were also in two separate sacks.  However, that doesn't always mean they are fraternal.  If they share a sack they are ALWAYS identical--but if they are separate it could mean they are identical or fraternal.
Did you want 2 boys, 2 girls, or 1 boy and 1 girl?
I was really hoping to have a boy and a girl.  I had always thought that was the perfect combination.  Of course, when I found out it was 2 boys I was thrilled and knew that it was just the way it was supposed to be, but I am still hoping for a little girl someday.  I am so thrilled that the boys will always have each other though, and have loved every second of the baby boy lifestyle :).
Any other questions?

Pregnant with Twins?

I was born with defects.  All there is to it.  I have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and Endometriosis.  I was diagnosed with Endometriosis before I got married and so we knew, going into our marriage, that getting pregnant might be difficult.  Also, throughout my life I constantly felt sick after certain meals or treats and we could never figure it out.  We tried everything...food diaries, lactose intolerance, etc.  When we tried to get pregnant and it wasn't working out, my sister-in-law told me to look into PCOS.  I had quite a few of the symptoms: irregular periods, weight gain due to birth control hormones, facial hair, etc.  My OBGYN did not share our diagnosis of PCOS however and put me on Clomid.  I took Clomid (50, 100, and then 150)  for 3 cycles (which ended up taking about 6 months due to my irregularity).  He then referred me to a fertility specialist.  Almost the minute we walked into the specialist's office, he diagnosed me with PCOS.  He put me on metformin and after about 6 months I ovulated for the first time.  One week after we found out, from my progesterone count, that I had ovulated, we found out that I was pregnant.  I had quite a few friends tell me that they wanted to go on Clomid so that they could get pregnant with twins.  I had never thought of that, I just wanted to get pregnant.  One of my friends even bought Clomid on ebay so that she could get twins (it didn't work by the way) :).  You only have a 5% chance of getting pregnant with twins on Clomid.  I myself was on Clomid, Metformin, Femara, and progesterone supplements when I got pregnant.

People constantly ask how I knew I was pregnant with twins.  There are a few signs that made us suspicious. After taking a home pregnancy test we got a blood test (to test the HCG levels) at the fertility specialist.  My HCG level was double that of a normal pregnant woman.  That doesn't necessarily mean you are pregnant with twins, but it could.  Also, I was on fertility drugs, so I knew there was a chance.  Some people say your pregnancy  symptoms are worse when you are pregnant with twins--however, I was actually less sick than most people with a singleton pregnancy. Lastly, my husband had major intuition that I was having twins.  He would say prayers every night for "the babieS."  When I was 7 weeks along we went in for an ultrasound to detect if there was more than one fetus since I had been on fertility medication.  I was terrified that they wouldn't find any heartbeat.  The doctor asked why I was nervous and I told him I just hoped the baby was okay.  As he began the ultrasound (it was a vaginal ultrasound) he said "oh, I know why you are nervous."  I was terrified.  He then followed it with, "see those two little sacks?  Those are your twins."  My husband and I burst into tears.  It was the best news we could have received.  I was shocked, he was happy to be right :).  So, there you have it.  Pregnant with twins.