OMG-Babies tomorrow!!??!!

[2boyz4us]

Hi everybody--
I am just back from my doc & we got the shocking news that I might be having babies tomorrow (36wks, 2days)!!!
At their last u/s for growth they dropped off the growth curve. Had been measuring 30th percentile, now they're around the 10th percentile.
He did a doppler test (which I'd never heard of before) to look at blood flow in the cord, that was normal. But he still may want to deliver me tomorrow.
I have to have an amnio for lung maturity & if their lungs are ok, I'll either be induced or get a c/s. He was pretty vague on that.
Babies are both head down, but their bodies are sort of transverse & they haven't dropped.
I don't know why I'm so shocked, but I feel just as dazed & confused as I did when they first told me I was having twins. I thought I'd have another week (and I guess I still might if their lungs are not mature, or at least a weekend!)
Sooooo glad DH came with me to this appt -- I would've totally freaked out if he weren't there.
Has anybody else had an amnio for lung maturation? I skipped the early amnio for fear of misc, so I don't know what to expect . . . I'm kinda scared!

[Kirsten James]

I also skipped amnio after nuchal results were good so I haven't had one but I remember a friend with twins having one to check maturity and it was okay. And everyone I know who had one early on seems to have done fine. My peri did tell me that they start to worry when they drop below the 10th percentile. Well, I can understand the shock but they should be fine and you will do great. The only advice I have on the amnio is don't look at the needle! (apparently it's pretty big) Did he say they would give you the steroid shots if they weren't mature? When do you go for the amnio? Please keep us posted. Good luck!

Kirsten, 31 weeks with boy/girl twins

[3rd times a charm]

Sorry Dianne, to hear about this quick turn of events. I haven't had an amnio as I chose to bypass this early on as well. I have had the steriod shots at 27 weeks with my preterm labor scare. Glad DH was with you too, mine is at every appointment from now on b/c of the bed rest deal. Let us know what happens, I am sure everything will be fine. You are over 36 weeks which is so awesome. Good luck!!

[Media]

Diane--
What a shocker!! I know you weren't prepared bc we were just talking abt this yesterday! But we'll never be really ready, right?

I had the early amnio back at 15-16 weeks...it's not too bad (I'm assuming lung check amnio is same procedure?). My advice is this:

1. DO NOT look at the needle. When they're getting it out of the drawer, when they're prepping it, when they're abt to insert it. Just keep your eyes closed. Ignorance is bliss. I had my forearm draped over my eyes the whole time. It helped me to relax and I didn't have to look at the needle!

2. Similarly, DO NOT look at the ultrasound image of the amnio. Just keep your eyes closed.

3. Repeat these instructions to DH. Have him turn his chair so he's looking at your face, not at the procedure or the U/S.

In regards to the procedure itself, it's not SO bad. I think every person will experience different levels of pain and discomfort. But for me, the only real pain I felt was when the needle passed thru the uterine wall. It felt like a short, *intense* burst of menstrual cramp, with a shooting pain that travelled really fast down my side and into my toe! But seriously the pain was fleeting, instantaneous. It felt the same for each stick, for each baby/amniotic sac. I did not feel any cramping or residual pain afterward. Like with other obstetrical procedures, one of the most anxiety provoking things was the fear that I might not keep still and cause them to "screw up" bc I jerked in pain or something. So all in all, for me it was a pretty smooth experience. I wouldn't pay money to do it again without there being a reason, but you know, it was fine.

Fill us in on all details when you can!!

[Keeler5]

Diane~
That is great that your doctor seems to be taking good care of you and your babies. When will you get the final notice? Let us know how things are going and good luck!

[preggy peggy]

diane, what a shock when you thought you had a week left, very excited for you though, you are so close to seeing your little ones!!! I didnt have the amnio either but i have seen the procedure done on tv, not quite the same but the women i saw did great and didnt flinch, goodluck with that and keep us all informed.

take care

helena

[Kelian]

Wow what an appt for you!! Thank goodness DH was able to be there for you....good luck with the amnio and I hope everything looks wonderful and your little ones will be here soon:) I can't even imagine the shock hearing all of this was to you.........I know it will all go smoothly so hang in there and we will be waiting to hear an update ASAP!
Huggz,
Kelian

[babybuddha]

Hi Diane,
Had my amnios at the prescribed time... two one for each sac, 15 minutes later, I felt like nothing had taken place, they are quick efficient and really know what they are doing, so if you need to have it done, put on a positive vibe and go with the flow... I was actually alone, no one was able to come with me to that particular appt, and I was fine and walked back to work and everything went well.
Keep us posted, if those babies come tomorrow, we want to hear the whole story.
We will be thinking of you!
Naomi

[denverduo]

This is sudden, what a shocking visit to the doc's huh?

You will have to keep us posted and let us know all about your delivery okay?

Congratulations and good luck!

ps- I was told I would have to have an Amnio when they thought that we had TTTS. My doctor showed me the needle. I completely agree with everyone else... DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, LOOK AT THAT NEEDLE!!! DO NOT!!! It is more or less the size of a horse tranquilizer.

~Kimberly

[zel+two]

Diane, My gosh. How quickly things can change. Sorry no words of wisdom on the amnio as I did not have one, but I know you'll do fabulously. I'll bet those babies lungs will be perfect and you'll be seeing your little beauties in no time. Lots of positive thoughts and prayers your way. Update us when you have a chance.

[busyFLmom]

Hi Diane...I had an amnio at exactly 36 weeks for lung maturation for my last singleton preg. b/c of placenta problems. It was not painful but I did not look at the needle either. I did glance at the screen and saw the needle after it was inserted. It only took a couple of hours and we had the results. Our dd was born via csection 45 min after we got our results.
Good luck tomorrow. You'll do great!!!

[2boyz4us]

Thank you everyone for all the positive thoughts, advice & shared experiences. I think I'm gonna close my eyes as soon as I leave the house & open 'em when I have some babies! :-)
Gosh Naomi--walking back to work after amnio? you are one tough cookie!
Kristy--I'd be very happy to follow in your footsteps!
Well, I managed to get about 6 hours sleep, even with all my nerves.
My appt is at 11 am today, and it's six now. Plenty of time to pack my bag. (Can you believe I still hadn't done that!?! Denial ain't just a river in Egypt, as they say)
So, if you hear from me this afternoon, that means I've gotten a few more days to cook these babies. If you hear from me in 2 or 3 days, that means a vag delivery . . . and if I'm silent for 5 days or so, they sectioned me.
I'll try to get DH to post, but that is just the kind of thing that he will tell me he'll do & then not do. (He's a great guy but he ain't perfect!)
Thanks so much for all of your support, advice, & good humor over these past few weeks. It has really helped me cope with this new experience.

[2boyz4us]

Well, the dr was ready, the parents were ready (more or less), but the boys had their vote too & they weren't ready. Their lungs were "intermediate" rather than mature. BTW, Kristy, the dr said if they'd been girls we probably would've been good to go.
I feel like we had a dress rehearsal for the main event because after the amnio they sent me up to Labor & Del to be monitored while we waited for the results to come back. They treated me like a pre-op patient with an IV & the whole bit. That was about 3.5 hours in a small, windowless, badly ventilated room. Not fun.
I go in for another biophysical profile on Monday & if they drop below 8, he'll section me then. If not, it could be Wednesday or Thursday.
On the plus side, we've got at least a weekend to get more stuff together for the babies. But we came home pretty disappointed that we didn't get to meet our little guys yet.
As you all said, the amnio wasn't that bad. I kept my arm over my eyes & held dh's hand with a death grip. The pain wasn't that bad -- it was the idea of the whole thing that had me freaked out.
Thanks for all the good wishes and support. I really appreciate it.

[oneplusII]

Awwww Diane thanks for the update. I can imagine you were a bit dissapointed. I went through the same thing. They did an amnio at 36 weeks for lung maturity and then admitted me and we waited for the results. Thank God the girls lungs were mature. I was sooooo ready. Just hang in there a bit longer, you will hopefully see your boys next week!