34 Weeks with Twins!

Here are all three of us at 34 weeks! 

I don't know if you can tell, but I sure can in my face and in my hands that I am swelling. I am also including a comparison picture where I was 26 weeks in the photo on the left and now 34 on the right with the same shirt on. You can tell in my face the difference...but, again, I am super blessed to be carrying these twins and a little surface changes are just something that is expected, ha!!!

Today I am reminded how blessed I am to have made it this far and to be where I am health wise with the babies.

The latest update since my Tuesday doctor's appointment is that the twins are considered "discordant twins" at this point. After recently reading another "Mother of Twins" blog, my situation is nothing like hers and this is not as scary of a situation as it can be. 

discordant twins,

twins showing a marked difference in size (greater than 10% in weight) at birth. The condition is usually caused by overperfusion of one twin and underperfusion of the other. It is fairly common in identical twins but may also occur in dizygotic twins.

At this point for my twins to be considered discordant twins is not a huge deal in my mind. From what I understand, other cases are worse where they are around a pound in weight and this is happening (so from earlier on in the pregnancy this is an issue and I have made it this far, so I feel good about it)...mine are both past four pounds (well, as far as they can tell from the ultrasound) and that is what my goal was. 

How the doctor explained it to me was when there is a 20% difference between the twins in the womb that is when they are concerned. The difference between Piper Grace (Baby A) and Jude (Baby B) is at 18% right now. I asked him if I was to be concerned and he said that that's why he wanted to send me to the high risk specialist so that he can make that call. Piper Grace is weighing (in this corner! ha! Lame joke...) at 5 pounds 3 ounces and Jude is weighing at 4 pounds 4 ounces. But, the good news is that both babies have grown, just according to their own schedule. Jude has gained half a pound in five weeks and that's right at what he should be (the least amount that he should be gaining at this point). 

I have an appointment set for less than a week away with the high risk specialist and he will make the call whether it's time to deliver or if we need to just keep an eye on the twins. 

I am truly at peace at this point and that might be because everything is up in the air, but I have just been praying that the Lord will guide the high risk doctor's decision and that unless we feel the Lord is telling us different, then we will go with what he says. They are the doctors, not us and I feel good that if we do have to deliver, the babies are pound wise where I was praying they would get. 

Work wise, I was hoping to get through March and so far so good on that one. As far as my health in carrying the twins, I am swelling but my blood pressure is not up, so it's just uncomfortable, but not risky. My cervix is still really great, fluid for the babies in each placenta is really good, that babies are both breech so we are all walking heads up at this point :) and since I am doing a C-section, the fact that they would normally need to turn isn't an issue here. I am still in pain but it's not unbearable...just uncomfortable. My OB doctor was hoping I could get to 36 weeks which would be March 31st and so far it looks like I will at least make it to 35 so cross your fingers I make it to next Saturday! 

Please keep praying! Here are some specifics: 

• That I will recognize when and if I go into labor
• That Jude will continue to grow and same with Piper Grace
• That the doctors will make the best call they have been trained to make dealing with our twins
• Maks and his adjustment
• ... and many more from the previous post. 

God is good and we are excited for what he has in store!!!

And, here's a picture of my little stud muffin and one more of both of my guys (well 2 out of the 3) after Maks' first salon appointment hair cut!!! He was rewarded with his first sucker (it might be a little late for him to have his first sucker, but this Momma is scared of choking hazards!)