October 24, 2019

Given that I am now having weekly appointments, I’ll always have an update! 

And realizing that the average twin pregnancy is 35.5 weeks means we are SO close. I’m still gunning for 38 weeks, but I am also being realistic they could be here any day!

Yesterday I had my BPP (biophysical profile) and NST (non-stress test)

For those that don’t know what that means, the BPP essentially looks at the overall health of the baby(ies): heart rate, movement, tone, breathing & amniotic fluid.

The NST measures the heart rate of the baby(ies) in response to its own movements. Healthy babies will respond with an increased heart rate during times of movement and the heart rate will decrease at rest.

Adequate oxygen is required for fetal activity and heart rate to be within normal ranges. If oxygen levels are low, the may not respond appropriately which can often indicate problems with the placenta or umbilical cord.

 Thankfully, they passed both with flying colors!

Baby A (our boy) is still breech, unfortunately. So, I am certainly crossing my fingers he flips as I would love to attempt a VBAC — time shall tell!

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Week 33 Twin Pregnancy Update

Babies Update:

According to my pregnancy app, they are currently the size of a head of cauliflower.

Frequency of Doctor Appointment:

I will continue to have a BPP/NST weekly, and my next OB appointment is next week. Then, the OB appointments will also be weekly!

Labor Signs:

Still just Braxton Hicks, almost always when I go for a walk. Thankfully, no other signs! I had no contractions on my non-stress test…

Weight Gain:

About 31.5 pounds!

As I mentioned last week, the average weight gain is just .75–1 pound per week, so, I’m right there! I’m still on track to hit at least 37 by delivery!

Movement:

All. The. Time. My kids especially love to feel them move and think it’s hilarious when they do. Madden, my youngest, finds my belly button absolutely fascinating and even tugs on it. HA!

Symptoms:

Soooo tired! This week even more so than last week. In fact, I was ASLEEP by 9pm last night. Thankfully, though, I’m otherwise feeling great, to be honest! I know I’m lucky!

Cravings/Food Aversions:

Not a lot. My mom often brings me kettle corn when I see her, and she came up this week… that meant I had kettle corn 4 nights in a row! Buttttt that really isn’t a pregnancy thing — it’s a Shannon thing 😉

Purchasing/Borrowing:

One of my friends gave us a few used items — a bouncer, a play mat, and a bumbo! So weird that we need TWO of a lot of these things!

Maternity Clothes:

Don’t need anything else! It still is so weird to think in just a little over a month, I’ll be giving a lot of it away (fully realizing I’ll probably wear a lot of it postpartum as we all know that belly doesn’t disappear overnight!)

Exercise:

I am loving our new program — 6 Weeks of the Work.

I am modifying the push-ups and core exercises, but otherwise able to keep up. And I have no doubt this is going to be one of my all-time favorite programs. My husband LOVES it, too — this morning he said, “This is just the type of program I’ve been wanting for awhile. MAN, does it push you!”

Just 3 more weeks of Triathlon Club as our old YMCA is closing for a few weeks before we get a brand new one — perfect timing for me considering we are just a little over 4ish weeks from meeting our babes!

Interesting Moments:

None that I can think of!

Best Moments:

I always love seeing the twins on ultrasound, so, that was certainly a highlight.

And I love that Madden is totally obsessed with babies right now! When I ask him where the babies are in my belly, he gets the world’s largest grin! I can’t wait to see what he thinks when they arrive!

Also, going to a fall farm with my mom and the kiddos!!

Missing:

I’d love a good glass of cab sav soon!

Looking Forward To:

My baby shower! My dear friend Gael is hosting one for the women in our Triathlon Club this coming Sunday… I feel so honored and grateful for the community I am a part of!