32 weeks (or) Medical Community Confirms Wehkamps Parent to Twin Spazzes

A lot of people ask me, nay, tell me, they can't imagine what it would feel like to have two babies in them. Especially in regard to them kicking and moving around.

When we started this twin pregnancy adventure it was Baby B I felt the most. Chris felt Baby B kick a week before A, and B just continued to let himself be known.

B would perk up when the church organ played, he'd start kicking when I got in the car, he was always kicking up a storm when the Dr. would try to get the Doppler on him, so somewhere along the way we decided that B was going to be our spaz.

Around week 30 though, Baby A started making up for lost time. He kicks furiously all through the night and during dinner and just whenever he feels like it really.

So, it should have come to no surprise to me yesterday when the Dr.'s all but gave up on monitoring their heartbeats for 15 min. straight.

We started the appointment with a sono. A really good one where we got to see both babies quite well. I even saw one of them yawn.

They are both head down now and everything about them and me looks great.

I apologize that the photos are so small and not labeled for easier viewing - but Photoshop is angry with me today and I don't feel like fighting it.

This is Baby A. First two are profile and the last one he's looking right at you. The black hole is one of his eyes (kind of scary I know).


Then this is Baby B. Same thing. First two are profiles and the last one he's looking right at you.

And how much do these boys weigh now?...4lbs. 10 oz. each.
Those are some big, healthy boys.

Next we did the non-stress stress test. The most inappropriately named test ever.

It was a first for both the boys and I.

The idea is to strap 3 discs to my belly. One to monitor contractions, one to monitor Baby A's heart rate, and one to monitor Baby B's heart rate.

Then they give you a little thing to squeeze each time you feel the babies kick (I asked if I could just duct tape the button down.)



The nurse put the monitor on Baby B and tried to anchor it down.
He promptly moved and kicked it off.

She tried A.
A moved and kicked it off.

After about 5 minutes of positioning, gel, and patience, we got both babies on the monitor.

The nurse left and it was just my dad and I.

Five minutes into the monitoring my dad noticed a red light start blinking on the monitor and also noticed the paper report wasn't coming out anymore. I asked him to please go get a nurse because I was not going to start this all over again.

Maybe here is where I mention that lying back on a table strapped to 3 belts and 32 weeks pregnant with two almost 5 pound babies in you is not even a little bit comfortable.

The nurse came in, and sure enough, monitor out of paper.

My dad told me "see, I could work here."

The refilled the machine and told me we would have to start over anyway since the last 4 minutes had only recorded one baby.

The nurse tried to get Baby A back on the monitor and was amazed that she could actually feel him kicking the disc off right when she had it where she wanted it.

This back and forth went on for about 20 more minutes before Chris called to make sure everything was alright since he hadn't heard anything from me.

Yep, I said. Your sons are just being themselves - total spazzes.

We gave up on me clicking the button every time I felt the babies move because the nurse and Dr. both figured that aspect of things was fine.

We also soon gave up on the contraction disc after the Dr. asked me "do you think you're having any contractions.?"

"Um, no. I don't think so," seemed to appease the Dr. and that disc was then ignored.

The Dr. had to actually hold the remaining 2 monitors in place herself. She did this for about 4 minutes and then told me she needed about 10 more minutes and we could go.

At this point, she left.

I was feeling so sick and so hot and so flushed I thought I might pass out. The nurse brought me some water and told then noticed that the babies had moved again.

She got the Dr. and they both noted that they had never seen anything like this before.

Of course you haven't.

So, not only do we get pregnant the first time we try, but we get pregnant with twins - and not just any twins - identical twins. Identical twins who are for all practical purposes already confusing and frustrating their medical team. Awesome.

The Dr. finally turned to me and said "you know, I think we have enough. They're probably fine."

Fine? Ya think? Baby A has been deeply involved in a drum solo for the last 40 minutes and Baby B qualified for the Jr. National pole vaulting team about 10 minutes ago. Yeah, I think they're fine.

The neatest part, if there is one, is how cool it is that I already know my babies so well. When that nurse told me they were going to find the heartbeats and then monitor them for 15 min. straight I so badly wanted to tell her "that is never going to happen." I know these babies. They don't sit still for anything.

Maybe I'll lead with that when we go back next week.

So what's it like having two babies kick around inside you? It's a little bit funny, a little bit annoying and a whole lot of indescribable.

31 Weeks

I don't know who's in charge of this blog but they need to get their act together.

This has been a big week in the lives of the yet unborn Wehkamp boys.

On Sunday they got to listen to Daddy yell at the first football games of the season.

(Some games more than others.)

We chose their pediatrician, went to a meeting about how to deal with sibling rivalry, and today got to see them live on the big screen again.

I feel more confident than ever in my belief that one of the biggest upsides or having twins is the plethora of sonograms you get to have.

We got the 3D turned on today via our eager request (our Dr. humors us...I think it's his way of pitying the sleep deprivation he knows we have coming in a few weeks!)

I'm currently 31 weeks pregnant. Baby A is weighing about 4 lbs and Baby B about 4 lbs. 5 oz.

Believe me when I tell you I can feel every pound of them!

I have been very blessed in not having many of the common symptoms associated with pregnancy - but this belly - it's no joke.

And the babies in it - they're an active crew.

I was just sure the other day that Baby A was going to break skin.

Here's the profile we got of Baby B today. He is currently head up so we got a good peek at him.

Dr. Jenica says his nose looks so big because it's smushed up against my uterus.

My mom says he looks like Chris.

I just say I love him so freaking much!

A is head down and was facing away so we'll try for him another day.

He may be camera shy but he holds nothing back when it comes to punching and kicking.

I think we were hasty in our prediction that B would be our spaz.

They're both going to be spazes!

Next appointment is Tues. and we'll keep going every week until either 38 weeks, or until there is any sign of stress on me or the babies. At this point there's no indication that things shouldn't continue progressing normally.

I'll talk to the blog manager and make sure updates are sent more regularly.

Ultrasensational Ultrasounds

If you had told us 6 months ago, a year ago, at any point really, that we would be having identical twin boys, we would have laughed in your face.

In the last few months we've had some time to process the reality a bit and I must say, there are some wonderful advantages of adding two babies to the family at the same time.

For starters, we get a peek at these guys every 3 weeks. And soon every week.

Every ultrasound appointment I feel like popping some popcorn, bringing it to the office and just kicking back and watching the show. (That is of course when I'm not sick with worry that the babies are okay - or that the Dr. tells us there's one more hiding in there!)

From where Chris and I sit we can watch the sono on a flat screen TV, and we have the Dr. right there to give us the play by play.

At the first few appointments we were mostly just listening for steady heartbeats and checking brain development, but then we moved on to gender determination and positioning and blood flow.
My favorite part is watching what they're doing in there.

Chris and I joke that they have a construction project underway. Maybe a baby pirate ship, possibly an ark, new shelving unit...who knows. But they are busy.

Already we feel like they have personalities developing so watching what they're up to on the big screen is indescribably exciting.

We thought for today you might enjoy just a taste of what we've been treated to for the last couple of months.

I've edited down the 22 min. long videos to some of the "best of."

This is both babies at 16 weeks - after about 3 sec. you can see them punching each other.



Then at 23 weeks Dr. W was trying to get some measurements on Baby A, when who comes intruding in on the shot? Baby B.

(Baby A is on his side looking away from the camera, the shaking is my belly bouncing because I'm laughing.)



And then there's our sono from yesterday.

I was fascinated when Chris and Dr. W helped me make out the lips and nose. You can see him circle around the nose with his cursor because I needed some serious help seeing this. Chris saw it right away.



And then there's the 3D.

It looks a little sci-fi like. Dr. says the waviness is caused by the fluid and such. It's still a little early for 3D so you have to look close, but it's Baby B's face.

Chris thinks he has his nose. You can judge for yourselves.



Baby A was being shy but we'll try to get him next time.

We're happy that everyone is healthy and we're on track for a late October delivery.

Lots more glimpses into the worlds of Baby A and Baby B scheduled between now and then so be looking for more videos soon!

Back to School

A few weeks ago Chris and I went to our combo C-Section/Baby care class at Medical City to learn how to have and how to keep alive our babies.

We arrived in time to find ourselves with two other parents-to-be of twins. We quickly became acquainted, rounded up some snacks, and started the learnings.

There were 3 really good things about the class that I didn't expect.

1. Enough babies were provided

2. My baby had my eyes

3. Nourishment



I feel good about having the babies at Medical City and I feel good about the rudimentary knowledge we now have on cesarean deliveries and basic childcare.

I wish they would have given us a certificate of some kind that we could frame and reference in a few months when we're throwing up our hands at 2 am without a clue as to how to how to proceed.

Maybe I'll work on photoshopping something together for us.

You would think after taking the class we would get some kind of hospital delivery discount. Why isn't that offered?

We now know so much more than the average folks. You'll get to save a lot of words and worry with us, couldn't you pass on that savings in the form of a 20% labor discount?

That would really encourage parent education class participation.

I'll at least attempt to photoshop a coupon together and see if I can get it past the billing office.