10-8: - Salem is here! Check out her birth story!

9-26: - 36W1D - OK Today's appt went well. My BP was decent - 124/82 I think. And Salem looked fine on the NST. I think I had some contractions while there but the NST didn't pick them up. The nurse said that was common when you have a lot of fluid. I am still on bedrest though to keep my BP down because I did have more protein in my urine and a lot of swelling. Because I am on bedrest I am not online as much except to check email. So if you want to talk to me email me! :)

I am dilated barely a fingertip. Sigh. So we made a plan. If I dilate on my own within the next 10 days to a 2 we will induce and try for a vaginal delivery. He is worried that I will need a csection anyway because there is so much fluid that he thinks it will make it hard for her to drop down into the birth canal. He said with as big as I am measuring I should have dropped some. Also if my BP spikes again he will admit me and induce rather than try to wait longer.

So I am okay with that. I did test positive for group B strep. He gave me some antibiotics and they will make sure I have more in an IV at delivery and test Salem when she is born. I go back on Monday.

BTW - at last Wed's U/S (the one in the hospital) she weighed right at 6 pounds. So her size won't be an issue!

9-23: After 5 days in the hospital I am home. At last Wed's appt my BP spiked high - I think it was 154/108 in the Dr.'s office and wouldn't go down after an hour in the Dr.'s office so I was admitted.

It stayed high through the weekend. After getting it under control on Sunday they let me go home today. It spikes even when I sit up so I am on strict bedrest after being diagnosed with pregnancy induced hypertension. I am only supposed to get up to eat and used the restroom. I go back to the Dr. on Wed - 36 weeks.

Brian is going to try to move the computer where I can get on from the couch. I am 36 weeks on Wed and now our goal is 37 weeks. Since my blood pressure seems to be stabilizing we aren't going to induce thankfully. Only if it spikes again or if I gain more fluid. So far I haven't gained much more fluid. So I am here but not as much.

9-14: I had a couple of scares this week. On Wed after my internal I spotted all night. It scared me so I called Dr. T even though I knew it was probably from the internal. And it was and it did stop. Then all day off and on on Sat I had contractions. Boy they took my breath away. It scared Brian silly but I didn't go to the hospital because they were VERY irregular. I go back for a NST on Tuesday, an exam on Wed and another NST on Friday.

Salem's room is ALMOST done. I hope to take pics this week. It's so cute.

9-11: 34 Weeks - VERY uncomfortable. Here's what I found out about Polyhydramnios: It can be a factor in Twin To Twin Transfusion syndrome.

Basically there is an overabundance of amniotic fluid. With TTTS one baby gets an abundance of the fluid while the other baby gets too little which could cause problems even death. If we did have TTTS that would mean our babies were all identical.

I am not sure it is TTTS though cause I have found that it does occur in singleton pregnancies and we are pretty sure our babies were fraternal except for the original triplet that died.

Some causes of it are:

1. Twin gestation with twin-to-twin transfusion (increased amniotic fluid in the recipient twin and decreased amniotic fluid in the donor) or multiple gestations, which can lead to twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome

2. Fetal anomalies, including esophageal atresia (usually associated with a tracheoesophageal fistula), tracheal agenesis, duodenal atresia, and other intestinal atresias.

3. CNS abnormalities and neuromuscular diseases that cause swallowing dysfunction.

4. Congenital cardiac-rhythm anomalies associated with hydrops, fetal-to-maternal hemorrhage, and parvovirus infection.

5. Maternal type 2 diabetes mellitus (more often than in oligohydramnios) Chromosomal abnormalities, most commonly trisomy 21, followed by trisomy 18 and trisomy 13.

6. Fetal akinesia syndrome with absence of swallowing

I have had a ton of U/S so I don't think there are CBS or fetal abnormalities that the U/S tech or the maternal fetal specialist didn't pick up.

So I am going to trust Dr. T in that he doesn't think Salem is at risk. I am now measuring 47 weeks. I am HUGE and completely uncomfortable but making it. I think I am at 25 1/2 total weight but it's gotta be amniotic fluid if you could see how big I am.

9-7: I had my baby shower today!!! A few pics can be seen here. And here's a belly pic.

It was a blast although afterwards I was DOG TIRED. I can home and took a three hour nap! My grandmother made the cutest necklaces out of candy that looked like pacifiers. Everyone got one as a souvenier. Mom and Amy my sister did a fabulous job. I will post pics soon.

We played games. Too fun. They made me where this silly headband on top of my head with a stork on it that says new mom!

We had marble cake and fruit and WONDERFUL almond punch.

And I am AMAZED at the generosity of people. We got money and gift certificates and big stuff like our swing. I should be able to get the other big stuff soon. I will add up the money and and gift cards and then go and get the rest of the big items. We got a lot of clothes and wipes and newborn diapers. A boppy, a Eddie Bauer backpack, LOTS Of blankets, medicine stuff like thermometer pacifiers, bath stuff, etc. I FEEL so spoiled. And cute stuff like picture frames and hair bows and even her first swimsuit for next summer.

My sister even made a cake shaped out of diapers. I am amazed at how cute everything was. And she bought newborn dipes too. They all know I am changing to cloth at 15 pounds!

And one friend gave me stuff for my hospital bag and a scrapbooking carrying case! I have all my stuff in boxes. I LOVE it. It's perfect and has wheels to make moving it easy.

And one special gift. 15 years ago my mom had a garage sale and a lady at her church bought this hand crocheted bonnet that my mom and uncle had worn as babies. It had been made by my mom's grandmother. Kind of fashioned like an antique doilie.

Well she gave me a new one and the old one as a gift!!! My grandmother kept saying that looks familiar. Your mom had one like that while the lady was trying to tell the story. It was too funny. And my mom had forgotten about it cause it had been so long ago. Finally Nan let Barbara tell the story! It's GORGEOUS! And I will keep it forever!!! I am so excited. I need to start getting it all organized now!

9-4: I am 33 weeks today and am now going to the Dr. 3x's a week. It was twice a week til today. I have 2 non stress tests a week and an OB check the other day and will have a U/S every two weeks.

He found the reason I am measuring fullterm. It's called Polyhydraminos (I think this is what he said). I did some preliminary research and it all seemed somewhat connected to TTTS (Twin to Twin Transfusion Sydrome which I thought was only for identicals and I didn't think they were identical). So for now I am doing NO more research til tomorrow am when I call back to make sure that's what he said. I was very tired (even fell asleep while waiting).

He said Salem is fine and it won't hurt her but we need to watch it. So I am still considered a risk for preterm labor. Today my cervix is still closed but I am now 70% effaced. I asked how far he thought we would make it and he said he didn't think I would go before 35 but he definitely thought it would be before 37 weeks if he had to guess (which is October 2nd).

And I gained 6 more pounds but he said it was all fluid retention. You should see my ankles! EEK. And no I haven't scanned the latest U/S. I am tired of fighting my scanner and haven't made it to my mom's like I was supposed to.

8-29: U/S today - She is still head down but we did manage to get a profile shot and I will scan it tomorrow hopefully. It's not near as cute or detailed as the last one. But I am excited she is doing well. So check back in the next day or two for the pics.

She weighs 4.4. And she has hair. I couldn't tell but that's what the U/S tech said. I am amazed. All of mine and Brian's family had bald babies! LOL

8-28: 32Weeks - I am 32 weeks today! I had a Dr.'s appt and my uterus is measuring 40 weeks. The good news is my cervix is closed. But I started non stress tests today because of the size of my uterus which can still be indicative of preterm labor. We were going to do them originally back when we found out the other baby died but it was so early we decided to wait cause if they had shown a problem more than likely we couldn't have done anything about it.

Well like I said I had a non stress test today. Salem's heartrate was consistently around 150, I didn't have any contractions and she had 2 heart accelerations in 15 minutes which is what they look for. From now on I will see the Dr. once a week and have 2 non stress tests a week.

They also scheduled me for a U/S tomorrow! :) Oh yeah I gained 6 pounds in one week! EEK! He said if it's just one week he's not too concerned. I really think it's from all the wedding food I stole from Brian's catering job last week! I was kinda out of control! LOL.

So other than that I am staying in bed, trying to rest but sleeping poorly and excited about my baby shower next Sat the 7th. I didn't post last week. Nothing new then except I gained 4 pounds. So that puts me up 10 pounds in 2 weeks. EEK! I can't believe it. So that puts me at 21 1/2 pounds gained. I need to watch it. Oh and the trace of protein in my urine isn't there so that's good.

8-12: 29W6D - Today's Appt went well. I lost another pound (so that puts me at 11 1/2 pounds gained) but I am growing. My uterus is measuring 38 weeks! EEK. There was a trace of protein in my urine but they weren't concerned. I haven't been swelling as much and my BP was fine. We talked a lot about the birth, seeing the deceased baby etc. Brian asked him point blank how bad things could be. We won't have a lot of the momentos that a lot of people get like footprints and hair locks because the baby died at 15w4d. So he gave us best case and worst case. I HATE the worst case scenario. I won't even go into it. But he told Brian he really thinks we need to see the baby especially me. And I agree. I told Brian on the way home if he really didn't want to I would and take pictures for him to see later if he wanted to.

Brian asked about funeral options. Dr. T. said if we wanted the hospital to take "care" of the baby they would. I am not sure I feel comfortable with that. Our other option is cremation which I'm already checking in to. I do not want a funeral.

We talked about the csection and he brought up the possibility that depending on the positions of the babies maybe we could try for a vaginal birth and told me to think about it. My iron is a little low (it always is) but other than that we are healthy and my cervix is STILL closed! Yippee!!! I told them yesterday Salem didn't move a lot. They said Salem should move 10 times in 2 hours after eating so if I have problems again call them ASAP and they will check me out.

He advised me to go ahead and go to the child birth class cause they deal with both csections and regular labor and have an epidural film for me to watch (oh yeah). The next appointment is 8-19.

8-5: 28W6D - Uneventful appointment today. Yeah!!! :) Uneventful is good. :) I lost two pounds for a total weight gain of 12 1/2. We found her heartbeat RIGHT away. I am still measuring 37 weeks so at least I've chilled there. Next appt next Monday.

7-31: 28W - Just wanted to pop in an share about my U/S. It was this morning and went well. I have posted the new pics on the U/S page. Salem looks perfect and I got an adorable facial shot. She weighs about 2 pounds and 4 ounces and her heartrate was 153. I also got a picture of Baby A (the baby that died). We couldn't see a lot because of their position. They are still tummy down but the shot shows the spine. Compared to the shot of Salem's spine it's so tiny. A guess a little part of me keeps hoping that this was all just one huge mistake. But the baby is so little. Salem is head down already. That surprised me.

7-29: 27W6D - I had a Dr.'s appt today. The baby is doing well. We heard her hearbeat ASAP and she promptly kicked the doppler. I am measuring 37 cm (EEK) and my cervix is closed. I will have an U/S Wednesday. I am kinda disappointed cause Brian won't be there but if I waited til he got back it would be 2 weeks and the Dr. didn't want to wait 2 weeks. I go back on Monday the 5th. We had kinda been stretching my appointments to every 10 days or so but he said we were going to be more prompt from now and have them weekly.

I can't wait to see her. I am going to go ahead and ask for pics of the other baby. That sounds morbid but I don't have any from the other U/S cause the tech was really nervous about what she found and I want them for the scrapbook and memorial service.

I never would have thought I would be planning a memorial service and a baby dedication around the same time.