24th July 2008 - week 30

Goodday all!

Had my 30-week scan with gynae yesterday. All is good with the girls and gynae is very happy with their weight-gain and growth measurements. Unfortunately no photos this time as they were moving about too much and not lying in very photogenic positions ;)

Been suffering from a headcold thanks to Brad, and sleep sporadically due to being unable to breathe on top of the heartburn and indigestion. Usually have a morning nap just to keep topped up....and then afternoons on the couch watching the Tour De France, so taking it really easy.

Did my 3rd last Pilates class yesterday....and Ath is still working me really hard but carefully, and my body and the babies thrive in that hour. My body is strong and ready for the big event, and will hopefully recover quickly, as I'll have a lot on my plate to deal with!

Babies are moving about a lot still, either jabbing me or just gently poking around. One is lying head down in birth position and the other one is lying transverse again....and giving my ribs a hard time today...so a lot of side stretches in order to alleviate the pain.

Am loving every moment of these two little munchkins moving about....and Brad is all mush when he rubs Bio-Oil or Tummy Butter onto my tummy. The babies love his voice and the interaction and move about like crazy, which must be so awesome for him ;) and makes me melt with love for them all.

Just so you know what's happening this week.......

about your body

The average weight gain around this time is about 9.1kg. The top of the uterus is now well above your belly button and your belly may seem to be pulling your back forward, causing you to "poke" out your chin. Watch that posture and do exercises that will alleviate backache which may begin to plague you at this time.

to do list

Another routine checkup. Remember your baby's weight gain is very rapid from now until birth because of all the insulating fat that is being laid down.

your growing baby

Your baby has put on another 200g. The fine hair (lanugo) that covers your baby throughout pregnancy now starts to disappear and is shed in the amniotic fluid.

tips for dad

Make sure your partner doesn't carry anything heavy and help her with any chores that require lifting and moving. She is already carrying around the equivalent of a 10kg bag of dog food on her frame. Try and imagine what that feels like.

Pregnancy Calendar - Week30

You and your growing baby now only have a few weeks to go before the birth. The baby’s lanugo hair begins to fall off this week, although it might not have all disappeared before birth, so don’t be too put off if this is the case. Your baby might now weigh about just under 4 pounds and be nearly 16 inches long.

Your symptoms of fatigue and nausea are worse this week. Take time out to have regular rests and to put your feet up. You might not be sleeping properly because of the back pain and discomfort, you might consider buying a pregnancy pillow to help you. Your likely to be very moody at this stage, this is due to the hormones and increased adrenaline in your system. You should have you and your baby’s blood type checked.

Mon 14th July 2008 - week 29

Morning all!

Brad has a headcold so we spent a quiet weekend on the couch watching all the awesome sport and snoozing. However with another perfect winter's day yesterday, we went for a nice walk on the beach to get some sun and happy serotonin :) Today I have a bung'd up head, so will continue to take it easy, wrapped up nice and warm with lots of tissues handy! Lovely.

My Mom asked me this morning, what I'm wearing now...well...99% of Brad's clothes...all his nice warm and cuddly Cape Storm stuff and his tracksuit pants, without which I'd surely freeze to death...haaa haaa! Thanks my darling!
I bought 4 pairs of jeans and 2 tops, and can't fit into 1 pair any longer, as they are way too tight over my tummy, causing the babies and I great discomfort ;) Preggie jeans aren't necessarily made to fit twin tummies. The tops are pretty but don't offer any warmth. My feeling....I'd rather be warm and look like a tank/whale ;)
Don't know what I'd do if I was still working....designer hessian sacks! But luckily only the neighbours and tellers at PnP and WW get to see my ensemble for the day. If I get any larger, I think I'll just wear the duvet and order in...haaaa haaaa!

The babies woke me up this morning kicking like crazy and are very active. It's an amazing feeling and I really wish I could see what is going on inside - how they are interacting with each other, and moving about.

Also to let you know that you can click on any photo on the blog and it will enlarge....you then just use your arrow to go back one page and it'll take you back to the blog.

Just a quick update on what's happening this week.

I am now 29 weeks pregnant:

about your body

You're now two thirds of the way through your pregnancy. The next few months are a great time to start getting your body, mind and home ready for the arrival of your baby. Your blood volume is at its highest now. This means your blood is also more diluted and so you're most susceptible to anaemia (a shortage of oxygen in the blood). Anaemia can pose a risk during birth and make you susceptible to infection so make sure you see your doctor. S/he will prescribe an iron supplement. You can prevent it by resting a lot and eating a well balanced diet.

your growing baby

Many babies start to adopt an upside down position at this time with their heads pushing into the pelvis, although this may only happen in labour. Wow! Nerve circuits in your baby's cerebral cortex (for conscious thought and remembering) are already as advanced as those of a newborn. Strangely the fingernails are fully grown but the toenails are not.

tips for dad

We're assuming that you've been taking photographs throughout the pregnancy, but if not, now is definitely the time to start. Before you know it, this nine months will be over ? and your new family will be a reality.

10th July - week 28

We had a lovely weekend away in Knysna this past weekend. We drove up on Friday lunchtime and left the bad weather in Cape Town. The weather in Knysna was perfect. It only rained on Saturday afternoon and night, and then we caught it again in Calitzdorp on our way home on Sunday.
Here is Brad getting ready for the race.

Brad did the 80km mountain bike race on Saturday...and took a bit of strain, as he's been working harder than he's been riding. I'm now in trouble as I entered him and encouraged him to do it ;)
Our roadside picnic stop on the way home.








The visit to the gynae went A-OK yesterday (Wednesday) morning. Babies weigh 1150g and 1180g so are doing 100%. Both are head-down, so maybe that's why the sore pelvic region....the extra weight bearing down. Gynae mentioned that the babies are in ALOT of fluid and have loads of space still, so will still move around quite a bit before things gets too tight to move.

Here are the pics of the little darlings (side-profile)....who is who at this stage I have no idea, but those little noses just make me all mushy inside ;)

Brad was a pleased a punch when he saw the pics last night....you'd swear he made them...haaa haaa haaaaaaa ;))))))

Cath also went to her gynae appointment yesterday - she's now 30 weeks, and her boys weigh 1700 -odd grams and the other 1600-odd grams.

The thing for us is that the babies weigh as much as possible at birth, ie. as close to singleton weight as is humanly possible, because if they are prem's and under-weight they'll stay in hospital longer.

I haven't put on any extra weight, so gynae happy about that too. Obviously not baking cookies and having self-saucing choc puddings for dessert is helping keep the kg's in check ;) Am eating a lot more fruit and veg and nourishing soups and snack on those too...instead of going for the cookie tin ;) But I have to say in my defence though that this miserable weather just shouts for something yummy to nosh on ;)

Here's the famous side-view of Mom-to-be: week 24 / week 28:

Pretty hey?

Here's a fab joke from my friend Andrew Bell: A woman standing nude in front of a mirror, says to her husband, "I look horrible, I feel fat & ugly, pay me a compliment."

He replies, "Your eyesight is perfect."

All our fondest love
B&L+2
xxxx

7th July 2008 - week 28

Hello there!

Well well....it's getting scary for me now....the birth is literally just around the corner, and of course the questions and thoughts spinning around in my head are getting quite noisy...will we cope/do we need a night nurse/do I need the maid to come round twice a week instead of just once/disposable nappies or eco-nappies and so on and so on!

Gynae has booked the 8th September as D-Day for the caesarean...OR maybe even the week before depending on how uncomfortable I am...because I'm still going to get ALOT bigger...37-weeks is considered full-term for twins.

Since the start of the pregnancy I've put on 9kg's which she deems is too much....I should only have put on about 6kg's. However my clothes still fit perfectly and I'm feeling 100% and I think that's all that counts really. I'll lose the weight quickly so am not perturbed in the least. I'm not going to starve myself to the detriment of our babies health, just so I can still fit into my size 8 jeans! It's that simple in my books.

The sciatic nerve on my right side bites now and again...and my pelvis aches if I sit for too long...which I think is thanks to the fracture in 2003 ;) These aches are due to the weight of the babies bearing down as they should be moving into the head-down position at this stage. However sadly, this is the only time I'll ever be pregnant, so am thriving and loving each and every moment, aches and kicks and all ;))))))

Gynae appointment on Wednesday, so will update with outcome and photos then!

Pregnancy Calendar - Week28

Its now the seventh month, and you may be feeling the size of the house, just cheer your self up by thinking that you are over the hump and on the final stretch.

Your baby continues to pile on the pounds. The baby’s eyes are blinking as they respond to light and dark. The bone marrow is developing red blood cells and their adrenal glands are now stimulating your hormones which means you begin to produce breast milk.

You may also be feeling a little like a punch bag, as your baby is getting stronger at kicking you. Speak to your midwife or doctor if you notice a sudden drop off in the number of kicks, just so they can give you the once over and make sure that there is nothing wrong.

about your body

Welcome to the last week of your second trimester. If you're carrying multiples you will be about as large as a woman at full term carrying one baby. You will start seeing your caregiver every two weeks until 36 weeks, your visits become weekly. Your breasts may be sensitive and tender, so be sure to look after them and wear a well supporting bra. Your feet may ache, so put them up as much as possible.

to do list

It's time to visit your doctor or midwife for another routine check-up. S/he will check foetal movement and the height of the top of your tummy will be measured to give an indication of the size of your baby.

your growing baby

Your baby now weighs a whopping 1100g. More fat is being laid down, smoothing out and filling out his wrinkly skin. Your baby's eyes develop the ability to focus at this early time, although she only really starts to use her eyes once she's born and in fact can only focus on objects within 20cm. If you expose your pregnant belly to the sun, light filtering through the abdominal wall may be seen by baby as a reddish haze.

tips for dad

Make sure that you're there when the scans are done. She'll be overjoyed to see her baby and have your support at the same time.

Have a great week!

All our fondest love xxxx

30th June - week 27

Hiya!

Well on the 30th June it was our 1st Wedding Anniversary....already! Where has time gone? Had a quiet day and an early dinner at WangThai.

The rest of the week sped past something silly....but here is what happened with the babies development that week:

Pregnancy Calendar - Week27

Your baby continues to rotate into the head out position. You might only notice this from a slight increase in pressure on your cervix. Your baby’s lungs are now capable of breathing air, while their nervous system is able to control their body temperature. If born now their chance of survival with the help of intensive care is good.

You might now start to feel really tired and nauseous again. Your fatigue is caused by the increase in weight, the difficulty with getting comfortable when sleeping, and the shortness of breath, as your lungs become more cramped for space. You might however be enjoying buying things for the nursery, car seats, prams, etc.

You might also find that your breasts are much more tender and bigger, your pregnant belly has become a lot larger, which puts more pressure on your bladder causing you to go to the toilet frequently. The other joy of pregnancy in the third trimester is that you could start sweating like a road labourer. This is caused by the increase in temperature of your baby combined with your body temperature.

24 June 08 - week 26 of pregnancy - after gynae appointment

Hi all!

Oops never got back to the blog....and that was 2 weeks ago!!! Week 26 and 27 flew by in a blurrrrr and now we are into week 28!!!!

But here is what happened during week 26: What's happening this week (once again each newsletter has something different to say)...but so as not to bore you to death, here's the shortest one ;)

Pregnancy Calendar - Week26

This week your baby opens its eyes, can blink and can move their head back and forth. The baby’s hair may also have started to grow this week, as will their toe nails. More weight will have been gained in the last seven days, along with the development of their brain tissue and nervous system.

Your baby weighs almost 2 pounds, measures around 14 inches from head to heel, and hears noises, responds to light, and is generally more aware of its surroundings. In the same way that you can see a flashlight if you hold it against your palm, your baby can see the light coming through your belly. You may notice increased activity when in brighter light and decreased activity in darkened rooms. Its hearing is fully developed, and as he or she reacts to sounds, it s pulse increases. Your baby may even move in rhythm to music!
Your baby's movements will become regular and you can monitor them. If you're expecting triplets their growth will slow down dramatically.

24 June 08 - week 26 of pregnancy - morning post

Goodday to you all :)

Hmmm well time is literally flying by, and I can't believe we are into the home-stretch already - well as far as a twin pregnancy goes!!

Saw Shannon at the fetal assessment clinic a month ago, and today have appointment with gynae. I'll see her every 2 weeks from now on....maybe....I'll find out why exactly as it's an expensive little time I spend there. I'll let you know the reasoning later....in my book really it's a waste of time and money....the girls are fine with no chance of placentas fusing (one is placed top and front and the other is placed bottom at back) and as they are supposedly fraternals, there's not even a remote chance of Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome?

They are both thumping about much better and it's an amazing and wonderful feeling. It looks like I swallowed a round watermelon...that's how my tummy looks anyway. Where these 2 little munchkins are fitting themselves, goodness only knows! Twins must surely be more flexible and double jointed than most ;)

My most worrying thing is can the skin over my tummy actually stretch anymore...and when they are out is it going to hang down to my knees? (I have thoughts of tucking my tummy into my pant, till it somehow magically goes back to the way it was..?...and will it ever?).
The second most worrying thing though is what has happened to all my internal organs? Where do they go? All must have taken a ride to different regions....like my stomach in my throat (for sure), a lung on each shoulder, etc, etc....ha ha ha....we're on vacation and will be back later!

The only downside at this time, is that I'm getting terrible bouts of heartburny-indigestion at all hours of the night, no matter what I've eaten...but have found that if I eat early enough in the evening, and not at 8pm-ish when Brad comes home, there's a better chance of it not happening. It's either that, or I have to sit up and sleep - which is not funny - and I'm loathe to disturb Brad. I've also finally got the loo thing right these last couple of days....get the 2-litres in before 6pm, so I don't spend the whole night getting rid of it ;) It was getting ridiculous - average 5 to 6 times a night!!!!

I'll be back later to let you know how the gynae appointment went.

Lotsa Love
L+2

16 June 08 - Monday - week 25 of pregnancy

Hello all!

Hope you are all enjoying the public holiday today, and managed to have a lie-in? Brad and I are really appreciating ours, because our days are numbered...haaa haaa! A fond memory I have is Marc (elder brother) saying to me (after I'd been kind enough to phone him at 9am on his birthday wishing him and saying hope he got spoiled rotten with breakfast in bed, etc etc) that he hasn't had a lie in since his eldest was born 7 years ago ;)

Brad is at the office today, as stadiums still have to be built. It's a miz cold day anyway, so it isn't a big deal at all.

Hmmmm well......I'm now 6 months pregnant, and into week 25 of the pregnancy. Babies are said to arrive anytime from 28-weeks (week of 7 July) to 36-weeks (week of 1 Sept)...and ideally full-term for twins which is at 38-weeks (week of 15 Sept). However all these factors remain a mystery. If this baby was a singleton, full term would be 28th September. I leave you to do the maths as my brain is fuddled! I just really have to get my bottom into gear and get sorted and ready just in case these two little babies come early. Tick tock!!!!

Anyway the crucial thing for these little girls to do from now is to put on layers of fat, so that they can survive outside the womb should they arrive early, as prem babies have difficulty in regulating their body temperature.
Our friend Cath who is pregnant with the twin boys (2-weeks ahead of me) had her scan last week...and in 2 weeks each of her boys had put on about 400-grams, and now weigh just over/under 900 grams! Wow!
My tummy is so huge now I wonder where I'm going to fit them both soon. Brad casually mentioned yesterday that they're now wrapping around my waist as that has got much thicker...so yes, my name is Linda and I have two beautiful spare tyres....ha ha ha! By now the two of them are aware of each other in the womb, as the space is starting to get a bit limited now.
I wish I could hook up at a scan machine on a daily basis to see what's going on inside, ie. how their limbs are pushing Mommy's insides about, and especially how they are interacting with each other.
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What 4 of the newsletters say:

a) Your baby weighs 1 1/4 pounds and is a little more than 11 inches long, about the size of a small bag of sugar. In the last third of pregnancy, she'll double and triple her weight. Your dexterous baby can touch and hold her feet and make a fist. Your partner may be able to hear her heartbeat by pressing his ear against your belly. Your baby has a regular sleep schedule now and active and inactive periods. You may or may not be able to discern what those periods are. Her nostrils, which have been plugged, open up.

b) Most of your baby’s development from this stage onwards will be largely weight gain and focusing on nervous system development. The good news is that even if your baby is born prematurely from now on they have a good chance of survival without too much trauma. This is because your baby’s lungs have begun to produce “surfactant” which means that its respiratory system is getting stronger. Your baby may also start to change its position in the womb, moving out of the breech position and into the better position for delivery with its head down towards the birth canal.

c) Sixth Month

Your baby is about 11 to 14 inches long (head to toe) and weighs a hefty 1.5 pounds. His or her eyelids begin to part and the eyes are open for short periods of time. Her lungs are continuing to develop and she is practicing breathing - she may even have her first case of the hiccups soon. He or she has fingerprints, eyebrows, and eyelashes.

d) your growing baby

your baby's sense of hearing is now highly developed as the ossicles of the ear are already adult size, and she'll be startled by loud noises. Your baby will really be in her own waking and sleeping pattern by now. Her movements are strong and easily felt by you. You can start playing kicking games with your baby. Prod the area where your baby kicks and watch as she responds. Move your prods around the abdomen and she will probably follow your path with her kicks.

tips for dad

If your partner doesn't have a decent pair of sandals, buy them for her now. They'll cost, but it's worth it. She needs a lot of rest and pampering now, so try to be patient if she tosses and turns all night. A back rub may work wonders here.
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I must say I had a good chuckle at THAT one.....what exactly are sandals going to do to make me feel better? The mind bogges ;) Can just myself in the maternity ward refusing for them to remove my pretty sandals..ha ha ha. Now that backrub sounds like a real-deal to me!!!!

Bye for now and have a great shorter week!

Lotsa love
L+2 & B = love squared

all in a row

• 16 weeks as at 17 April
• 20 weeks as at 12 May
• 24 weeks as at 11 June

11 June 2008 - week 24

Hellooooo from a cold, rainy and blustery typical Cape Town winter weather that just screams for rib-sticking food and self-saucing chocolate puddings ;)))))

Brad is to thank for the dvd's below...amazing stuff...and so cool that we can share it with all of you :)

"What's happening this week....By week 24, your baby - who is now about 8-10 inches long and weighs 1-3 pounds - has already begun her main project for the rest of your pregnancy: putting on weight. You’ll notice now that what began as gentle wiggling will become poking and even sharp kicking. Some women experience shooting pains and backaches if the baby puts too much pressure on the sciatic nerve, which runs down the back of the leg."
From another newsletter " Your baby weighs about 1.2 pounds and is just under 12 inches from head to heel. His or her lungs have started secreting surfactant, the substance that keeps the moist, interior surface of the lungs from sticking together; and he or she is practicing breathing. Your baby's eyes are also watching for light and its ears are listening to your heart beat and your stomach growl."
from newsletter # 3 "Since your baby's inner ear is now completely developed, she can tell when she is upside down or right side up as she floats or moves in your uterus. She is still red and skinny, but will soon start to put on weight."

From my side....the movements are amazing and one is definitely more active than the other....or so I think anyway. I've nicknamed the one "Thumper" and the other "Dancer"...so we have a ballet dancer and a karate kid on our hands...ha ha ha. I wonder if they'll be similar or poles apart?
I also wonder if my cup of coffee every other morning and the occasional glass of red wine is doing them any harm? I feel lost in all the info out there (for and against) but have not gone overboard so that kind of appeases my guilt feelings a little.

The most amazing thing for me is seeing Brad's face as he feels the movements now. The baby on the right is not shy and is quite happy to show off to her Dad on how great she can thump Mom in the ribs with hands or feet. His eyes sparkle and the smile on his face reaches all round the world. He's going to be the most amazing Dad and is already as proud as punch :)

Brad and I had a sneaky little night away camping in Warthog on Friday night in Robertson, so he could ride the Whacky Wheels MTB ride on the Saturday morning. It was awesome to get away and spend a night in our little tent, next to the Breede River. Although admittedly reaching the bottom rung of the ladder took a bit of huffing and puffing :)

Brad rode the race in the pouring rain and came back covered in gooey mud. Luckily the race organisers had provided HOT showers, so he cleaned up nicely and we spent the rest of the day driving from wine farm to wine farm, enjoying the products of their hard labour. We were blown away by the hospitality of the farmers who had opened up the houses as tasting venues, and met some salt of the earth amazing people. A breathe of fresh air to the snootyness of the usual run of the mill winefarms in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, etc etc.
Anyway we left the area at 6pm for the 2hour drive home, and woke refreshed and full of energy on Sunday. Amazing what one night away can do to one's mental health ;)

It was lovely to see Alan last night, who is Cape Town talking about the shares market....and then had a lovely dinner with Rod and Les at WangThai afterwards.

Today my Pilates class took a lot of energy and I was pooped. Bumped into my first boss at Biggie Best in Cavendish, Ruth Benbow-Hebbert - wow what a timewarp for the both of us! Came home and almost slept for 2-hours.....lovely with the rain pouring outside.

Brad's in PE for the night and the house is dead-quiet/boring and I'm lonely without him.....he says the more I'm getting on in the pregnancy, the more Mrs Cling-peach I'm becoming. He'll be home tomorrow night so at least not nearly as long as the San Francisco trip. That was a killer. Stadiums stadiums stadiums :))))))

As always.....lots of love from us all
xxxxx