Wednesday, October 16, 2013

23w, 4d Ultrasound

The last 4-5 days have been a little torturous for me.  I know I'm extremely fortunate to have so many doctor's appointments and ultrasounds.  I do realize that.  However, as each u/s approaches, I get more anxious as the days get closer.  I'm so afraid of going into the appointment and learning something is wrong.  I knew the babies were still alive at least, because I can feel them moving periodically.  That doesn't stop me from fearing something maybe isn't going right.  It's not an overwhelming fear or anything like that.  It's just such a relief to KNOW they are doing okay.

My fears were put to rest this morning.  We got to see both the babies again and everything appears to be doing good!  They are measuring right on target, but they do have big heads, especially Baby B.  The tech said it's because their heads are more round than oval.  Baby B's head is almost 3 weeks ahead of where we are at now!

I asked the doctor if this was an indication of anything we should be concerned about and she said absolutely not, because everything inside the head is right on target.  There is no swelling or any other markers to indicate concern.  She said that he's just going to be really smart!  I told her I could live with that.

The only thing they were still not able to get a look at today was Baby A's aortic arch.  We could see the four chambers of the heart and everything else they were looking for, but she was just not in a good position to get a look at the arch.  So that will be the focus of the next u/s.  They are not worried about this either, as everything else is looking right on target and really good, so the assumption is that the arch will be good too.

Baby A is weighing approximately 1 lb, 3 oz.  Baby B weighs approximately 1 lb, 8 oz.  Both heartbeats were in the 140's.  They had two arms and two legs.  They each have their little hearts, kidneys, and bladders in the right location.  Their little girl and little boy parts were confirmed and they are still a boy and a girl.

My cervix is still nice and long at 4.15.  It is shortened from the 5.0 it measured at previously, but that is not a concern since it is still a really, really good measurement.  They don't start to worry unless it gets down to about 2.5.  The placenta of Baby A that had been sitting on the cervix and was of mild concern at 16w, is now completely moved away and nothing to worry about.

Three more days and I will be 24 weeks and reach viability.  Anything beyond 24 weeks means that if the babies are born early, there is at least a chance of survival.  The doctor's will at least try to save them at that point.  Hopefully, they will be born much farther down the road, but our chances of having take home babies are increasing every day!

We were able to get a profile picture of each of the babies today:


Baby Girl

Baby Boy

Even though things are progressing so well, it still feels a little surreal that we might actually end up taking these babies home in a few months.  The babies look good, we are getting our house ready for them, we've registered and baby showers are being planned, but it still doesn't seem like reality.  It sort of feels like we are playing house.  I kind of like this pretend world, and I am so looking forward to the day we do, in reality, get to bring these babies home.

25 comments:

  1. I love your doctors response about them being super smart with their head sizes! I know you have waited for this for so very long and I hope you are able to soak all of this up and enjoy being pregnant with your son and daughter. Can't wait until we get to see them in a few short months :)

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  2. they have adorable profiles! so glad everything is looking great!! I can understand why you would still feel like pretend world - but I am sure soemthing will happen soon to bring you crashing to reality- like having a house full of baby things after the shower!!

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  3. I'm so glad that everything is going well and looking good. I love those ultrasound pictures!

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  4. Look how cute they are! I'm glad everything is looking perfect! I'm with you on feeling like this isn't real! I get a reality check every time my sweet baby girl gives me a swift kick :) I can't wait to 'meet' these babies!

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  5. Okay, maybe just an emotional day but you have reduced me to tears again! LOVE the profile pictures!! They are and are going to be adorable and SMART too!!! One couldn't ask for anything more!!! 24 weeks is a good number but we will be praying for more time spent inside mommy and not being in a hurry to meet their family although we are VERY anxious to meet them! But we are adults and can be patient! LOL. Love you, Auntie

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  6. My daughter had a big 'ol head in utero, and now........she still has a big 'ol head xD It also made her measure 2 - 3 weeks ahead. She has a muscular body so maybe yours will too!

    This babe is measuring average so I'm thinking she will be smaller than her sister...

    Have you chosen names? We're going with Amethyst Rose.

    And I feel you on the fear. If she goes more than an hour w/o moving I get anxious :(

    I wish pregnancy didn't have to be so jaded for some of us :(

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  7. Am I the only one envisioning a future like the scene in "So I Married an Axe Murderer" where you have to tell your giant-headed child to move so you can watch tv? Anyone in your family have a scottish accent? Just me thinking this? OK then.

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  8. They are so perfect! Yea for a great appointment.. I am excited to see pictures in a few months. It's almost time!

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  9. Woohoo! Zack and Kelly are looking great! (or did you decide on Slater and Jesse? I'm fine with either.)

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  10. I wanted to write and let you know that I am so very happy for you. I can understand all of your worry, but what a journey you have been on! After all those years, you never gave up. Your babies are absolutely beautiful and you, my friend, are inspiring! Best of luck with everything. I'll be thinking of you.

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  11. Glad the appointment went well!! Yay for being so close to viability but those babies better stay in there for at least a few more months! :-)

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  12. Awwww so cute!! I'm glad everything is going well :)

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  13. So very happy for you! I can't believe viability is just around the corner. It doesn't seem that long ago that you were preparing for your transfer!

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  14. What beautiful profiles! It definitely must feel surreal. So so glad this came true for you and your babies are doing well. Soon enough you'll be holding them trying to remember life without them!

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  15. Wow. How did you get to be almost 24 weeks already? So happy that things are going so well. And the whole surreal thing? I'm still feeling it. I look around at all the baby stuff that has taken over our house and sometimes feel like I am living someone else's life. I still can't believe these babies are actually mine.

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  16. Yay!!!! So happy things are going well. Soon you'll have to change your blog name to old lady and two babies. ;)

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    1. That's the plan, but not until these babies are actually here.

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  17. I can't believe you are so far along! I agree with Jessah!

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  18. I like Jessah's idea as well! Congrats they look so beautiful!

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  19. Here from ICLW - congrats on your pregnancy! I also had a really hard time relaxing during my pregnancy. I wanted to enjoy it, but was so worried that the other shoe would drop. At 24 weeks I finally started to breath a little. Viability was a huge milestone for me. Now that my little fox is here, I feel like he is invincible!
    This is such a special time, enjoy it as much as you can!
    - foxy

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  20. ICLW here! The babies are beautiful! Congratulations!! One suggestion for you might be to try a beard trimmer in front of the mirror to trim the lady bits...or get hubby to do it! :p I can't wait for my next ultrasound...and I'm scared pooless about it because, well, it's nerve-wracking. Anyhow, congrats!!!

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  21. Hi from ICLW...congrats!!!

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