Vincelli: Party of 6

Vincelli: Party of 6

Thursday, July 15, 2010

GLUCOSE TEST & 27 WEEK ULTRASOUND DAY

Today was my glucose test at the clinic. I've heard so many people complain about how ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING the juice is that you have to drink. And how they could barely swallow it, almost threw up, were sick to their stomachs for the whole day, etc. etc. I was a little worried, but told myself beforehand that “who cares, I've been through worse.” So, naturally expecting and fearing the worst, when I arrived to the lab, I started downing that thing without stopping, just so I wouldn’t have any time to taste it. Eventually I had to stop to breath and I was amazingly surprised when I realized this didn't really taste that bad. It just tastes like really strong sugary Kool-Aid or something. Or maybe really flat pop. Of course it’s not something I’d voluntarily choose to drink, but it wasn’t disgusting like everyone had said. (BTW: they did give me a choice of orange or fruit punch. I chose orange since that’s what others have recommended to me. Seemed to be a good choice!) Afterward, it did leave a weird coating in my throat and I did feel a tiny bit uneasy and weak. Although, I think that’s mostly because you have to fast and not eat anything after midnight the night before the test. So, I was starving!! My ultimate conclusion regarding the glucose test is one of two things - that either I must have a really strong stomach or else everyone else is just really really wimpy. Could be a little of both. HA HA!

Then off Nick and I went upstairs to fit in my ultrasound appointment with our OBGYN before heading back down for my blood test. And what a wonderful appointment it was! We were so happy to see those little babes again. Their heartbeats are great, measuring right around 140. Baby A weighs about 2 pounds 2 ounces (998 grams) and Baby B weighs about 2 pounds 3 ounces (999 grams). That puts the boys in the 41 percentile. 50% is “normal” for a singleton. So, a little smaller than “normal” but that is just fine for twins.

I’ve gained 5 pounds since my last appointment 3 weeks ago, which is obviously over than the suggested “1 pound gain a week” at this point for singletons! But again – this is twins, so I’m going to gain more. I’m starting to feel more okay with that fact, although I’d be kidding myself if I said it wasn’t hard to see those numbers creep up on the scale (creep up…wait a minute…who am I kidding?, they’re not creeping…they’re jumping on fast, taking hold, and weighing me down!!)

And…drum roll please…I am measuring…36 weeks!! So since I’m about full term size for a singleton pregnancy, my doctor has said I need to start relaxing more. He recommended 1.5 hours each early afternoon of lying on my left side to increase blood flow to the babes. This is just to try to help me take it easy, which will help a lot in a multiple pregnancy. This will force me to finally get some reading done that I’ve been putting off! (Or maybe some extra naps!!)

Watching the twins on the ultrasound was such a joy. I could watch it all day long. We got a great view of Baby A’s face. We could see his mouth open and close. Baby B was a little more shy, we just got a profile view of his face and his hand was up by his mouth. Adorable! I wonder if this is what their personalities will end up being like! Oh, and it was confirmed again – we saw the family jewels. So yes, they are still both boys!

As far as how the babies are positioned: Baby A’s head is facing down with his feet up. (Which is a great position for labor and he doesn’t have room to move, so he’s staying put there.) But right now, Baby B’s head is up with his feet down. Baby B does have lots of room to move, so we’ll wait to see if he shifts. If not, that’d be a breech position and we may opt for a c-section. Time will tell.

After the ultrasound, we went back down after 1 hour to get my blood taken for the glucose test. Later in the day, I received the news that everything was great. I passed! Thank goodness!

Today was just another day of thanking God for these precious miracles growing inside of me. Sometimes I still think that this is all just a dream, but then I remember that dreams do come true…and miracles happen every day.