27 Weeks
20 April 2009No pictures to post this time around. We only got three – and I can’t tell what 2 of them are. Even when the DR tried to explain, we still weren’t seeing it, so I’m not going to bother. The one that was good was a profile of the boy, but it is not any better/different then the 24 week pics.
Overall the appointment went really well. The boy is finally measuring larger then the girl. He’s 2lbs 10oz and she is 2lbs 6oz. They are still about a week ahead of schedule. I’m feeling much more movement these days, but the girl remains the more active of the two. I’ve actually started “seeing” movement which is really cool. Little bumps in the belly and an occasional slide of (what I’m assuming to be) a foot. Sometimes I poke where the movement was and I feel something hard, and poke again and it’s gone! So they are reacting and moving around. It’s certainly a little strange though – this movement through the belly business. If this were a movie I’d have dripping fangs rupturing out any minute. Fortunately it’s just a few sweet little babies who are quickly becoming more and more of a reality to us.
The bad news is that my cervix went from 3.6 centimeters at my 22 week appointment to 2.9 centimeters at my 27 week appointment. The danger is that if it shortens too much too early I could go into labor. The DR indicated I’d be in dangerous territory if it kept decreasing at that rate. Anything under 2.5 and they start putting you on drugs to help the babies lungs start developing faster. So, if they are born earlier, hopefully they can breathe unassisted. We’re almost to 28 weeks, which is a good milestone – viability gets better, and risk of serious complications go down, but still in the 40-50% range. Scary.
As a precaution I’ve been taken off work and put on modified bedrest. This means laying in bed or on the couch with my feet up most of the day. That helps take the downward pressure off the cervix. I’m allowed 30 mintues a day of “light” activity which I’ve been spreading out by getting up a little more frequently. I can go to the bathroom, shower, make myself quick snacks, etc. I just can’t clean, cook, grocery shop (unless the trip is under 30 minutes and no heavy lifting), laundry, etc. I’m a world class relaxer by nature, and it’s been hard even for me. It’s one thing to want to take it easy, but it’s a whole new ballgame to _have_ to take it easy. Luckily I have lots of good TV, movies, internet and books.
The next step, if my cervix keeps shortening, is full bedrest. That means absolutely no activity outside of bathroom breaks and a shower every few days. I’m really hoping I don’t have to go there…
Next appointment: 29 weeks