Today I am 34 weeks. Holy cow! Yesterday we had at non stress test (NST) at our OB/GYN’s office. It took a while for the test to differentiate the babies. Apparently they like to be active and calm at the same time. Ultimately though they got a good reading and they both passed, yay! We will be doing these tests weekly until I deliver (although we may not have many more weeks to go).
Last week we had a biophysical profile (BPP) at MFM. We go there every four weeks. During our BPP the babies did not want to wake up so the doctor had to buzz them. That was the weirdest feeling ever! I thought they were going to jump out of my stomach. They passed this test as well as a growth scan and placenta assessment.
The doctor then checked my cervix and immediately said I will not make it to term, which is 38 weeks for twins. It measured at 1.7 cm and has been over 3 cm for all my other checks. He estimated I will deliver around 35 to 36 weeks but of course can not tell for sure.
Even though I can not control when I deliver, the fact that they will likely be premature is difficult to accept. I have done everything I can think of to have a healthy pregnancy and I am still not going to be able to carry them to term. Part of me feels like this is my first mommy failure. Logically I know this is not the case but it is still hard.
My doctor did help me feel a bit better about things. He told me that the average gestation for twins is 35 weeks. Also, they both look healthy. We are delivering at a hospital with a level IV NICU so if there are issues they will be best equipped to handle them. The thought of spending time in the NICU is scary but I am going to try not to think about it until it is necessary. Lastly, I know that there are different levels of prematurity and it could be much worse.
For now I am laying low at home reading every baby book I can find and trying my best to get everything ready for the babies. Even so, the more I do the more unprepared I feel. We will have help when the babies get here but I am worried I am not going to know what to do.
I am also trying to figure out how to make this as easy on my dogs as possible. I know this might sound like a silly concern but they have been our babies for 10 years and are used to being the center of attention. Here is a picture of them. Aren’t they adorable!
I know our priorities will change but I do not want them to feel completely neglected. Does anyone have any good advice on how to do this?
Right now I am super nervous but also really excited to meet our little ones! We have been waiting for over 6 years and we are now down to a few weeks (or maybe less). I am also thankful for all the support from my blogging family. It is nice to know that there are other people out there going though similar things. You guys are awesome! – Jennie
Solving the four years of infertility mystery 
Hopefully you won’t need the NICU stay even if they are a tad early. Not sure what it’s like at your hospital but we do let babies go home at 35 weeks or greater depending how the birth goes and how they are eating (I am a pediatric ICU nurse and I also do some shifts in the NICU). But NICU nurses are awesome and if you need it they will take great care of you and your babies (and your hubby). Hopefully you won’t need it! And it’s not a Mommy fail if the babies are early! Sending hugs and love your way!
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Thanks so much. That is comforting to hear. I know if they do need NICU time that they will be in good hands. It would just be hard to go home without them. I guess I will have to wait and see. I can not believe we are so close!
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I’m so excited that you’ll meet your little ones soon and I’m hopeful that they will wait long enough to arrive that they won’t need the nicu.
As for the dogs, we were told to just let ours be and give her space. And not to push baby on dog. So that’s what we did and the dog hid for a few months (i think she was depresses) but when she was ready she started to come around again. And now she still keeps her distance but is starting to lick baby toes and hands at least once a day. It’s pretty cute. 😊
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Yeah I know that if they do go to the NICU that they will be in good hands. It is just hard to think about going home without them.
Thanks for the doggie advice! I am glad yours are starting to get along and ever interact. That sounds about as cute as it gets 🙂
Mine have never been around kids or babies before but hopefully they will adapt. I guess I will have to wait and see.
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I had my daughter by emergency csection whine I just turned 35 weeks because I had HELLP syndrome. She was not affected by the syndrome but she did have to go for the NICU for apnea (she’d stop breathing at random times of the day) but she only spent 10 days in the NICU. She was 6lbs 5oz. I had trouble breast feeding her because she was so small and she just couldn’t latch and she’d lose weight. But once she came home I breast fed, pumped, and formula fed. I was sent home after 5 days and it was hard being away from her but she was very well taken care of. Our NICU out here is phenomenal. I did cry but when she came home it was as if she never was at the NICU. Now she’s 4 years old! Perfectly healthy and incredibly smart. You’re in my prayers for the babies to stay in as long as possible!
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Wow thank you for sharing your experience. My doctor monitors me closely for signs of preeclampsia (no signs of it yet but it’s more common with twins). It is scary so I can’t even imagine what you went through with HELLP.
I’m so glad she is ok now. It sounds like a tough journey but reminds me that it is possible to get through time in the NICU. Hopefully if we do have to use it, it will be a distant memory once they get home.
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Wishing you a smooth delivery and postpartum! I’m glad you have lots of support and competent medical care.
As for the puppies, do you have a doggie daycare nearby? My pup loves other dogs and doggie daycare really helped during those first few months. Or you can hire a pet sitter to come play with them/walk them a couple days per week. XOXO
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Thanks so much! Also that is a great idea for the dogs. I think it would be a nice distraction for them. We have a pet sitter for when we are out of town but it is a great idea to have them stop by so the dogs can get some much needed attention and exercise.
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Not long now, so exciting! It sounds like you are being well looked after. Your dogs are gorgeous! It sounds like the others with dogs have some good advice, I have cats and had read it is good to prepare them with baby crying noises ha! Good luck, I will be watching and waiting. xo
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Thanks! We are actually in the hospital now. Water broke but hopefully I can hold off labor for a while.
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Oh! Yes lets hope you can hold on a bit longer lovely. Thinking of you. xo
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Wow! Even getting to 34 weeks with twins is quite an achievement. I think you should be proud of yourself and those babies, mama. Your dogs are adorable! I can’t offer any help there but I know a lot of bloggers face this so you should get some great feedback. Not long now!!!
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Thanks! Believe it or not but my water broke a few hours after my post. In the hospital now. They are going to try to delay delivery as long as possible but not sure what is going to happen. We are in good hands though.
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Oh goodness. I’m pregnant with boy/girl twins and am at 31 weeks today, and I know I’d nearly have a heart attack if they told me I had a week or two left instead of the four I’d been banking on. Either way, I hope they are healthy and know that you did the best you could. I’ve got placenta previa on one of the twins, so a scheduled c-section for me. It’s easy to feel mad at your body for things not working out the way you expect them to (especially after infertility!!), but I’ll be grateful to have them any which way because I fought so hard to be pregnant in the first place. Kiss those miracles bunches whenever they come! Also as far as dogs go, we’ve started pulling out some of the noisier toys, like their bouncers and rockers and stuff, and leaving them on for the dogs to inspect, so it won’t be so weird when the babies are then in it. We read to start dealing with them now the way you want to after the kids are born, so if it’s a schedule change, do that now. Less walks, do that now. Just to get them used to it.
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Yeah I think the whole infertility thing makes things even harder.
My water actually broke last night so it looks like I’m deliver in sooner rather than later. We are in good hands but a bit nervous. I hope your can hold off as long as possible!
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Oh my goodness! That is even crazier than hearing you have one to two weeks! Good luck!! I’m cheering for you.
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Our first baby is a fur baby and I had the same concerns as you, and I still feel guilty everyday! My advice to you is just do the best you can. Maggie’s (fur baby) life has changed but the twins love her and I know they will all be best friends.
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That’s what I’m hoping will happen. Part of my concern is my dogs are on the older side so they been used to being only children for a while.
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I’ve read above and know you’re in the hospital, which must be scary. But, you’re in the best ands and hopefully they can hold things off for a bit. Either way, it looks like you’re going to be meeting these babies soon! I’m so excited for you! As for your dogs, I would let them come around in their own time. Make sure that you or your husband still spend time with them and give them treats. Animals like schedules just like children, and as long as you can keep to a similar routine that they’re used to l’d imagine that they will be just fine with the babies. Good luck, and you’ll be in my thoughts!
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Thank you so much for the dog advice. I think you are right, a schedule will help a lot. Fingers crossed!
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You’re going to do great!
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My SIL delivered my identical twin nieces at 35 weeks and they were in NICU for 4 days 🙂 they were born around 4ish pounds. Sending you lots of hugs and prayers! ❤️❤️
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Thanks!
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