KJ and "Da Babies" Update!

Well...the first and most important thing to say is that we just had some very intense testing done on the babies at the hospital in the "Ante-natal Unit" (A department devoted just to high risk pregnancies) and our babies are doing excellent!!!! Everything so far is perfect and we are thrilled and feel very blessed! We have incredible doctors and feel fortunate to have their expertise as they are taking such good care of our little ones. I have a regular OB-GYN appointment once per month, and then, because we are considered high risk with twins (and my age factor)...we see a "paraintologist" (not sure about the spelling) in the "ante-natal" unit in which they do extensive testing on me and the babies to make sure everything is progressing as it should. I am a little more than half way there and it has been confirmed to us that because I had to have a C-Section with Ava...and because I am carrying twins...they will be taking the babies early via C-Section in the 36th or 37th week of my pregnancy....unless I go into labor a little earlier than that. (Again, because it's twins, there is a chance I could go into labor between 32 and 36 weeks)

Now I thought I would also fill you in on my condition a litle bit. For those of you who don't know, I developed Hyperemesis Graverdium (extreme nausea and vomiting) when I was carrying Ava. It lasted 7 months, I broke 2 ribs vomiting during the 8th month, and they took Ava early. It was the most miserable experience I have ever had in my life...but we ended up with a beautiful, perfectly healthy baby girl!

Well, this pregnancy started out very differently! I had some nausea and only vomited a handful of times during the first trimester. We were so excited because we thought I was free and clear of the Hyperemisis this time! However, for some unexplainable reason, I have developed it once again in the 4th/5th months of pregnancy! I've been to the hospital twice so far...most recently just this past Tuesday to receive 3 bags of IV Fluids! It did wonders for about 36 hours but then the vomiting started again. My doctors are currently reviewing several options to see if there are any other medications they can try to help prevent me from vomiting during the remainder of my pregnancy!

I located a web site entitled "HER FOUNDATION- Hyperemesis Education & Research". It provides the best explanation I've seen on this condition and how it affects the lucky pregnant one!!! Thought I would include an excerpt just because it explains things better than I can!

"Hyperemesis is no doubt a physiological disease. Women left untreated my terminate a wanted pregnancy to end the misery. Often secondary psychological challenges such as depression and anxiety result and complicate management. Depression is a natural consequence of being confined to home or bed, and unable to perform even simple daily activities, much less care for one's family. Further, the accompanying anxiety often results from the thought of vomiting and retching relentlessly for hours, as well as feeling severely nauseous in between. Many women fear dying and feel guilty that they may cause the death of their unborn child if they don't force feed themselves, despite the inevitable vomiting that will follow. Treating the complex physiological changes that cause such severe symptoms can be very challenging.

Further, each women will respond differently to treatments since the cause is multifactorial, so a single medication cannot be prescribed. It is becoming clear that proactive intervention with a treatment plan, can decrease both the severity and duration, not to mention prevent many complications for many women. The challenge is finding the treatment that works for each woman.

The HER Foundation Survey found bed rest and IV hydration to be two of the most beneficial treatments for HG. This does not mean these alone are adequate, rather these are nearly universally beneficial in women with HG. IV fluids can be given at home in some countries at very low cost and minimal risk. Home IV care allows the mother to have continuous fluids instead of cycling from hydration to vomiting and dehydration. This cycle worsens HG and delays recovery. Many women state they feel so much better after their trip to the emergency room for IV fluids, only to begin vomiting and have to return a few days later for more fluids. Home IV fluids can prevent this. Many doctors are not aware of the concept of stopping the dehydration cycle to avoid exacerbation of HG."

All this being said....please know that I do have some good days and if you saw me on one of those days you may wonder why I don't look or act sick! Also know that the docs have said as long as I remain sufficiently hydrated...no matter how much food I can or cannot keep down...the babies will always be able to get what they need from my body and they will be ok!!!!

Again...this being said...we are going to make some rather dramatic changes in our lives over the next month or so to make it easier on our family and extended family. Dave has been soooooo wonderful during all of this...taking care of me, Ava, the house, etc. However...he began to have to miss too much work to care for us. After my first hospital visit a couple of weeks ago my parents came up from Florida to help out. They have also been incredibly wonderful!!!! But as I continue to have days where I cannot function or care for Ava...we have decided to all make the trip to Florida for the next month to make things easier on my parents. We also have additional relatives there that can help out when needed! Besides...it will be great for Ava as she can get outside and enjoy some "warmer weather" activities!

So now you have the entire low down...whether you wanted to know all the nitty-gritty details or not!

Despite these current challenges...we know we are incredibly blessed to have 2 little miracle babies on the way...and can't wait for their arrival!