Frustrating Week (Warning...R A N T)

So, let's just recap this week:

Found out that we are at an elevated risk on our quad screen (1:171). I wasn't expecting that and am still starting to deal with the possibilities of the big what if. Not that it matters...the genetic counseling that I should have had 5 weeks ago (that I am still waiting for), would not make a difference. We would not be able to terminate after 16 weeks (not that we would) even if it was some horrific genetic anomaly. Please see below....

(my rant......please excuse me, but I have to get this out or I am seriously going to lose it)

Had ultrasound yesterday. Appointment was for 1PM.

We arrived early, only to have to tolerate the world's fussiest two year old in the waiting room. Yes, that is adorable, let's let you son flick the lights on and off and laugh about it while the pregnant woman five feet from him contemplates his demise. Let me just say....my children WILL NOT, I repeat, WILL NOT act like that in public. Mashing bananas into the seat cushions is not cute, nor endearing. Despite arriving earlier than the little monster's mommy, she was seen before me. Mind you, I am to have a full bladder for these "monthly growth scans".

Finally, we are taken back and it must have been my lucky day. I got a student. Yes, a student. Maybe 22 years old, at the most. How nice. Last time, I wasn't seen by the Doctor because he was "too busy" and the idiot at the front desk neglected to put genetic counseling on the schedule. This time, I get someone who is not even completed their training.

Example:

"these are the leg bones" she says

duh...can you say femur- I quietly think to myself

"these are the arm bones" she says

again, humerus, radius, ulna...we are going to measure their length-

I wonder what kind of anatomy they teach at her school. Sorry. I was a premed major and took years of anatomy and physiology and would expect that in a professional office, we would call things by their true names.

This place is a total joke. So after 50+ minutes, I finally have to empty my bladder. I come back in the room and there is another tech there. She takes over the ultrasound. I inquire again about determining the sexes..."well, it is too early" (Bullsh*t)...." and I don't like to make guesses". "We should be able to tell you when you come back next month". Oh heck no....we are not coming back. I am going to have the remainder of the scans done at another facility for fear that I will actually go off on these people.

Incidentally, I had to tell them that we had a positive quad screen and the student looked at me as if I had a third arm growing out of the middle of my forehead. "Duh, what's that"?

Ok....I have been through two years in infertility, prior to that I had an unexplained miscarriage in 1999, and I am carrying twins. Ummm hello anyone......

H I G H - R I S K

...please at least act like you have reviewed my chart.

So, needless to say, we are done there. We will take ou chances somewhere else. I am beyond frustrated. I don't wholly understand the whole quad screen thing and have tons of questions that no one seems willing or able to take the time to answer.

I am just trying to stay calm. Pray for my little miracles (each weighing 5-6 oz). I am carrying a can of soda and feel like I am carrying a gallon of milk.

Aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh.

But aren't my babies lovely?

16 weeks ultrasound images

Baby A

Baby B
Both Babies

Unexpected Report

Well, I just got off the phone with my ob's office. They were calling with my quad screen results from last week. I honestly hadn't thought much about the test until they called. Well, I am in an elevated risk category. Apparently, there is a 1 in 171 chance that one or both of our babies will have some kind of genetic issue (Down's Syndrome, Trisomy 18, Trisomy 21, etc). The nurse seemed to think that it had more to do with my age and ethnicity (ummmm....Lilly White and 32 years and 10 months) and that there is a 99.4% chance that everything will be fine. They are glad that we are schedule fro our ultrasound tomorrow. I know that this means that I may have to endure an amniocentesis and that is something I am not looking forward to.

Nevertheless, there is concern. I almost wish I did not opt to take the test. Ignorance is bliss.

Warning.......... Belly Shot

Okay.....




Keep in mind...it is TWINS.......






15 weeks and 3 days........






I am actually measuring at 20 weeks......






Holy Crap..............




I'm gonna need my own zip code........

15 Weeks and fluttering.

Saw Dr. H, my regular OB/GYN on Wednesday. I am measuring 20 weeks in size. Just think, that is half way for a singleton pregnancy. It was a quick scan and they look amazing (sorry, no pics this time). I am so used to doing trans vaginal ultrasounds, it is kind of nice to be on a table with my pants up and only have my belly showing. I have lost all modesty at this point. They were bouncing around and waving their arms (with really long fingers).

Last night laying in bed, I felt a little flutter near my belly button. I think it was in response to hubby putting his head on my belly to see what he could here. The only thing he said he could hear was a fart (bubbles from drinking water all day)... that got us both laughing. I think I woke the kids up and that was their protest. It was very cool. Also, I finally got to hear the heartbeats. I don't know how this got missed at our other appointments. They were both right around 145-150 beats per minute.

I also made all of my perinatal and genetic counseling appointments (at least the one's I can schedule) today. The receptionist / nurse laughed because we scheduled into November. She reminded me that with a twin pregnancy "You never know". At least, I am trying to plan ahead....

Hubby is taking next Friday off for my next fetal scan in Abington. I wasn't crazy about their office when I went the beginning of the month so I will be going to one of the "outer hospitals" for the remainder. It is a lot closer to home (20 minutes versus 45 without traffic) and you don't have to pay for parking. I hate parking garages. I guess it just reminds me of all of the time I spent flying around when I was training software and getting back into town trying to remember where I parked. I have lost hours of my life at LGA and Kennedy airports.

Also, I am getting winded doing the smallest things. I can make it down the stairs, but going up seems to leave me short of breath and my heart pounding. It is all normal. Wow....this is going to be a long few months.

Hubby is on his way home, should go put the doggies out to greet their daddy.....

So, our 14 week ultrasound is being rescheduled until next Wednesday. My mother called last night to let us know that my Uncle Bob had passed away. He was my Grandfather's youngest brother and was such a trip. When I was little, I can remember going over to his house and his entire basement was all Lionel trains. It was the coolest thing. He was the only person in the world who I knew personally that smoked. Amazingly, it was not lung cancer that killed him. He came to our wedding and seemed so frail to me. He took over during the reception, requesting our pianist to play songs he liked to sing too. It was a riot.

I will be driving up to Buffalo for the services on Friday instead of having my ultrasound. I spoke with my ob and got his approval. Hubby is worried, of course, about me driving 6 1/2 hours by myself. It's no big deal, I've got my ipod, my cell phone and a map...I'll be just fine.

I've also discovered that Burger King onion rings are the arch enemy of the pregnant woman. I thought I wanted them yesterday but by last night, I was sure that I had made a huge mistake. Thank God for TUMS..... Am feeling much better this morning.

So Friday morning, I will get up with hubby and head off to the wilds of Buffalo. Mom and dad and I will be staying at a motel up there in lieu of staying with my aunt (long story). It will be nice to see my home city again. We didn't go this year for our anniversary due to all of my morning sickness.

Hoping that the babies are doing fine. I hate waiting to see them. I don;t know how low risk women can go their entire pregnancies with only one or two ultrasounds. I have grown so used to seeing them every week or two. I ma sure they are going to be much bigger next Wednesday. Who knows, maybe we can even find out the sexes......that would be great!!!

13 weeks today

Things have been pretty quiet recently. Last Friday, I went for my NT scan and the kids were doing just fine. I didn't get to meet with a doctor which was disappointing to say the least. It was nice to see both of the kids moving around for such a long time. I have another ultrasound on the 15th and then again on the 29th. I guess I should get used to trips at least every 2 weeks. I was used to seeing the kids every week and honestly, it was hard to go 2 weeks, but I made it. They are just growing so fast.....

We spent the weekend in Connecticut with my parents and Aunt from Buffalo. Saturday morning we went fishing and then in the afternoon, drove to Boston to pick up Grandma at the airport. She was really happy to learn that we were having twins. She told us that we must be making up for lost time. She really has no concept of everything that we have been through in the last two years.

Yesterday was my official last day of work for the foreseeable future. Leaving was weird. It kind of felt like the last day of school. I know that it is the best thing for the pregnancy but I also know I am going to go stir crazy in the house. I am trying to set an agenda of little projects to do.

One of the girls that Hubby works with is also pregnant. They had a bit of a scare today and she is in the hospital with bleeding. Hubby will be working late the next few days to try to help pick up some of the slack. He was just so moved by the whole deal, he called me just to make sure that "we" were all right. He is so sweet.

I feel fat all the time now. I am most definitely into maternity clothing. There are times that I just cannot eat. I feel like if I eat anything else, I will explode. That is usually after a sandwich or small snack. I still have not gained any baby weight but do have the belly sticking out. I guess I'll have to post a belly picture.......