What I got was a serious reality check!
In my first trimester, these two little leaches were sucking the life out of me - literally! All of my nutrients and blood flow were re-routed to my angels and this mommy was a zombie for months. I wasn't tired - oh, no. My kind of exhaustion required rest breaks and a nap after a shower. The only bullet I dodged was morning sickness. Don't get me wrong, I had my fair share of nausea but somehow the angels were smiling down upon me and allowed me this one pass...especially since they knew what was coming.
My doctor, who is naturally a very laid back and funny guy, decided to break the news to me during one of my exams in a very matter-of-fact and professional kind of way, "Your pelvis is too small, there is no way two babies are coming out this way. A scheduled C-Section is a must. I will put you on the calendar for 38 weeks."
Oh, 38 weeks, huh? You must be joking, right?!
I mean, everyone knows that very few women actually carry twins to term and this "funny guy" actually assumed I was going to carry an additional two weeks past full-term for twins...I pretty much thought he was insane. Especially when he added that he would be on vacation the week prior to my children entering this world.
Wow. Really? This guy really is a comedian.
During my second trimester, in addition to the usual pleasantries pregnancy has to offer, I began to notice something unusual. I was at dinner with my husband and a friend when I began to feel strange. At first, I tried to ignore the feeling but within a few minutes, my heart was racing, my palms were sweating, and I had the urge to strip off my sweater and lay down to cool off so I excused myself and walked to the restroom. As I entered, I began to feel dizzy and lightheaded. I knew this meant that losing consciousness was imminent and I desperately tried to remember what I was supposed to do to - I first tried to put my head between my legs but, hello? I am very pregnant with twins so guess what prohibited this idea from actually playing out? Naturally, my next brilliant idea was to lay down in the floor of the bathroom and elevate my legs...yes, I'm serious.
I never actually lost consciousness but the symptoms were so uncomfortable and happened so quickly that it alarmed me. I discussed it with my husband and we decided to talk to our doctor about it. Before I could even see him, though, it happened again but this time I was driving my car and was stuck in traffic with nowhere to pull off. I am almost positive a higher power was with me as I panicked trying to stay conscious in a small vehicle and behind the wheel. Somehow, miraculously, I made it into a Target parking lot and had enough time to lay down in my car until I felt I could drive myself back home.
The doctor thought I was having blood sugar issues but all the tests came back fine - this little "issue" continued to plague me throughout the rest of my pregnancy and, in addition, my left leg began to go completely numb from my hip to my knee. Again, no explanation.
I was then hospitalized with what they thought might be a kidney infection because of ridiculous pains in my side but this was never completely confirmed because...well, I'm pregnant and when you are pregnant there are only so many tests and medicines you can take.
At 32 weeks, Bryan and I were getting ready to go to my high-risk OB for an ultrasound when I began to feel pressure in my lower abdomen. At first, I ignored it because I was pretty familiar with Braxton-Hicks contractions at this point. But after an hour or so, I realized the pressure was becoming more uncomfortable and seemed to be coming in intervals. I mentioned something to Bryan about it as we got in the car and decided to begin timing them. The doctor assured me I was fine and told me to go home and rest. By 2 p.m., the contractions were 6 minutes apart and not showing any signs of slowing down. Bryan came home from work and rushed me to the hospital.
Once I had been admitted, they were registering as actual contractions and were 2 minutes apart. A flurry of action then took place and included medications and injections to stop my labor. I was hospitalized for the entire duration of Memorial Day weekend and my stay included a battle between my body and the doctors. In the end, the doctors won and my babies decided they were going to hang out for a little while longer...phew!
Each additional week that passed by seemed surreal. I felt like I was winning some kind of strange contest against nature. By 36 weeks, I was considered full-term for a twin pregnancy. Winning. By 37 weeks, I was terrified fate would intervene and my children would most certainly decide to make an appearance because my doctor had decided to go to flippin' Canada in June...
Finally, the day arrived and I had officially made it to 38 weeks. The scheduled C-Section happened just as planned and my babies were healthy enough to stay with us instead of needing NICU time.
We. Are. So. Blessed.
I am an optimistic person but even I recognize that my track record in life is really a comedy of errors. I mean, really, my motto in life should be "shit happens" - but for once, things went the way they were supposed to. All jokes aside and even with all the craziness during my pregnancy, in the end, we made it all the way. I couldn't ask for anything more.
I am reminded of this each time I hear of a baby or multiples that are born too early...
Oh, and I will admit it since I was initially convinced he was crazy - Dr. Bohmer was right.
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