Messages

1

Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Monday Roll Call for June 11

« on: June 11, 2012 at 11:28 AM »

Today I am 33+0 days with twin boys. In the hospital for almost 11 weeks now because of short cervix. Most of the time I was at 10mm going down to 7mm, after the 30st week I suddenly had 17mm. Wow. Next check tomorrow. I am looking forward to it.
Nifedipine got cut to 1 piece per day, additionally I take more magnesium. No serious contractions yet.
In the womens/mother hospital I am on the current top list of the longest women-who-spent-their-time-lying-here. My prize are active healthy fetus boys whose moves I can see and feel - pretty amazing. Also most of the nurses and doctors know me now and we have chit-chats and what not. I am getting sick of the hospital food though, although it is generally good and changes every 4 weeks.

But here are the good news: I might be able to go home at 34+0. My belly is already huge and heavy. Whew. Wonder how things will be at home. We just moved (without me) and not all things are unpacked yet.

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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Monday Roll Call for May 21

« on: May 21, 2012 at 09:53 PM »

Currently at 30+1. In hospital for over 7 weeks now, strict bed rest. Before that at home for 4 weeks on moderate bed rest. Amazing how day after day adds to so many weeks. My goal was to hit the 30 and that is done. A lot of pressure off already. Now aiming for 32, then 34.

The kiddo twins do alright.
Current procedure: 3 x Nifedipin, once a day a cardiotoco and a weekly ultrasound.

I am noticing that all this bed rest aka non-movement is starting to getting tough on me. The additional hospital environment adds to it. On top of that I do not sleep well at night, mostly awake with restless legs. Now with hitting the 30 there is light at the end of the tunnel. Patience, bed rest and support helped me big time to get where I am, I think. Amazing what a person is capable of doing and to read that there are so many other women going through the same.

As on books, I recommend "Wild" from Cheryl Strayed. She writes about her eleven hundred mile solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. She had no experience as a long-distance hiker and had experienced already rough times in her life, so this hike turns into a lot more than just a simple journey. She has a goal, she fights, she hopes, I enjoyed reading this book, because a lot of it I could adapt to my own situation in bed. Although a contradictory situation, she walks, I rest, it is very similar. Wish my english would be better to explain what I mean. Well, check it out.

3

Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Monday Roll Call for April 30

« on: May 03, 2012 at 11:14 AM »

It is Thursday now and that means I am on hospital bed rest for 4 weeks and 5 days today. It is my 28th week now, twin boys doing very well. All this time my cervix was at about 1cm, now slowly shortening to 7mm. I am so motivated about all this time these boys got and I wish for more days to come. Woo!

4

Pregnancy Complications: PPROM, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and more / Re: do steroid shots wear off ?

« on: May 03, 2012 at 11:08 AM »

At the hospital doctors gave me my first shots at week 24. it was two "halfs" with 24 hours inbetween. They said, it holds up for about 5 to 7 days and then actually wears off. I got another shot (and the last) at week 26, this time only half the usual dosage.
In your case, I'd ask your doctor. He/She can tell you everything about it, I am sure.

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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Bed rest Blog

« on: April 26, 2012 at 05:33 PM »

hello twinboys2,
thank you for writing your block. yes, i suppose it does not only help you releasing whatever hundred things, but also makes me laugh for an instance. it is after 11pm here, time for bed and I am laughing my butt off, worrying to either wake up my hospital roomate or starting my very own contractions I did not have/felt so far and causing my own lazy cervix to funnel some more. oh no, madam. so i go for option three and write this note.
hang on!

6

What's Your Story? Tell us. / Re: low lying inserted placenta and bleeds

« on: April 26, 2012 at 05:12 PM »

Ahoy,
it sounds you had lots of challenging situations in your pregnancy so far, and I am thinking you did really great as well. every pregnancy is a challenge and you never know for sure how things will turn out, even when the 40th week is finished. you got very far, the 34th week is a great week, congratulations, seriously! the medical experts in my hospital hardly worry anymore when a woman gets that far. a baby then usually is done with the major lung development and very much on the safe side. I suggest you do not put too much pressure onto yourself with your idea of the 38th week. every day you additionally make is a good day, of course, but again, bordering the 34th week is a great great step itself. your body did a great job.

7

What's Your Story? Tell us. / Re: New here. Twins and bed rest in Germany

« on: April 26, 2012 at 04:54 PM »

Hello all,
thank you for taking your time and sharing your own story and feelings along with advice. I am amazed over and over again by how communicating and sharing helps to sort out my own mixture of thoughts in my mind. Awesome.

It is my fourth week in hospital now. still strict bedrest, although the doctors now allow me to go to the toilet myself and shower once a week (cat wash was always okay though). very nice. that got me some more quality in life here.
I do lie right next to a huge window with a lively view, so that is another good connection to the outside world and life itself. my other roomate and i get along, staff is nice.

my cervix is now at about 8mm, pretty okay. boys are doing great, which I am really grateful about. one is considerably smaller, but grows steadily in its own pace. in the 27th week now, my next goal is the 28th and moreso finishing it.
I am amazed how well I adapted with my current situation, especially considering the fact that I thought of hospital rest as the worst case in first place back at home. it is not that bad. others do it, one is not alone. and if everything else works out (support, etc.), than I am more than happy. little things are suddenly very important and make me smile (little robin on tree outside, birds chirping their melodic orchestras in the early morning. a nurse singing and humming while working, colors, moves, shapes, so many things..).

so far i am on contraction inhabiting medication (Adalat in Germany) three times a day (did not feel any contractions yet). they ultrasound once a week and check for contractions and heartbeat of boys everyday. I feel safe so far. 

Wish you guys to develop and find unimagined power in yourself. you go and hang on!

8

What's Your Story? Tell us. / New here. Twins and bed rest in Germany

« on: April 06, 2012 at 11:34 AM »

Hello all, found this a few days ago and like the well balanced articles and forum.

I live in Germany and am in my 24th week with twin boys. It's my first pregnancy. I am on bedrest for 5 weeks now.

My pregnancy got monitored frequently at an early stage already, because it seemed like the kiddos were developing a twin-to-twin-transfusion syndrome. So far that is not the case, the placenta seems to deliver only different amounts of nutrients to each of the boys. They do very well and grow steadily in their own pace, which I am really happy about.
So once I was relieved about this, the next challenge was on its way. My OB found out that my cervix funneled and was only at 2,6 cm - that very day I was forbidden my job and was sent home on moderate bed rest. 4 weeks I spent at home, hardly going out and being in bed mostly. Then the last exam showed that my cervix has opened even more, now only at 1 cm. Ouch! They kept me in the hospital right away and I was pretty overwhelmed finding myself in a strange white linen bed again. Medication, injections, support tights followed, and my first night was felt horrible. I thought I would not be able to do this, I felt like I am stuck within an empty room without a door and my breathing got all shallow. I was scared for the fetus boys, a lot of mind stuff in my head, dark ones, more darkened by the night. Next morning after a little minutes of sleep I felt so much better. The dark thoughts vanished and now one week later I adapted here pretty well, I think. I reminded myself, that everything is a process and takes its time. So I should not be too impatient and give myself and my body some time to adapt. I am also glad for the kindness and support of my partner, friends and family. Now THAT helps a lot, too. Medical staff here is also nice and seems competent within their decisions.

Since then: At the hospital they detected an urine infection, which probably caused the further shortening. I was given antibiotics and now the infection vanished. Woo! Along with this I got steroid shots just in case. They also contemplated about a cerclage, but since things keep cool for now, they think they will not do it. I do hope that my cervix will now strengthen a bit. I really lie down most of the day, even to the toilet I am rolled into in a wheelchair. I really do hope I can make it to the week 30 at least, preferably 32 or 34. The boys do well, they move and poke out, and that feels reassuring.

One question: Medical staff asks me if I feel contractions and stuff. They want me to tell them once I feel something, only the thing is: I never felt any or identified anything as that. That is irritating me, but since I have such a short cervix I must have had some. Any ideas how to identify them?

Best wishes to you all and happy eastern,
Viki