Our friends were going to move from California to within hours of us and almost made it when...a job fell through. We were a bit down about it, but feel happy to still have a free place to stay in San Francisco when next we go. The bonus about them moving nearby was that they recently had a baby boy and we were going to get some of their loot. We're still getting some, just not the big stuff. One of the things was an arm's reach co-sleeper. We decided that since they're not coming we were going to buy one. So, during lunch time at work the other day, I was looking them up online and saw that they were on sale, and said, "oh, I'm going to buy this tonight while it's on sale". The next thing I know, a credit card is placed next to the keyboard. It's my boss's. He said, "this is what my family is getting you for the babies and I don't want you to argue" in his broken chinese/tagalog accented english. I cried on the spot, because I'm a crier. What a sweetie. The environment of loving kindness at work in the past 2 months has been so refreshing.
Actually, something crazy is happening at work...we're having a twin boom, just like you read about. I've worked there for 6 years now and in that time we only had 2 sets of twins born. In the past 6 months we've had 7 sets. 7 sets not including ours. They just keep coming. It is totally insane. About 3 out of the 7 sets are a result of IVF, but 4 are naturally occurring. Most have been born at about 36 weeks. I'm in charge of 2 of the sets right now, both naturally conceived fraternal boys. Gregg is in charge of 1 of the sets. Neither of my moms had bedrest and only 1 out of the 4 babies had NICU time and all were born at more than 4.5 pounds. I quiz them extensively, way beyond my clinical needs. The families don't seem to mind it given our similar situation, which I divulge instantly. Most of the sets were born via c-section. Some are breastfeeding, some are not.
Interestingly, the parents of the twins in the practice present themselves as more capable than a lot of the singleton parents I've cared for. I don't think I'm projecting my desire to be confident when our babies arrive...I thought about that possibility. They just seem more prepared. They seem battle-ready and really confident. One of my sets only had extra help and hubby home for a week and was like, "I was ready to do this on my own within 4 days!". I was like...ummm...I've never even heard a singleton mom say that. I think our practice needs a twins club. I saw one of the sets of twins born last summer recently for a sick visit, and quizzed mom about her stroller choice. She said that they had a 50 pound twin stroller that wouldn't even fit into their new minivan. She couldn't even lift it anyway. They returned it. I don't remember which one it was...but I'm feeeling glad that I don't have my heart set on one of the 40+ pound strollers. They traded the monster for a svelte 29 pound model.
I try to read about childbirth, but it makes me crazy and nervous. I'm not going to be able to take any classes...I've been to some as a clinician, and have attended several births, so I think I might be alright. I think that the books would be sufficient if I could get through them without panicking. With twins, if the baby closest to the exit is head down, you can try for a vaginal delivery, but run the risk of having a c-section anyway if the other baby isn't head down or has trouble of some kind. That could mean one baby vaginally, then the other c-sec. I'm not opposed to this yet, but might be at the time. We shall see. I had a dream early in my pregnancy that I was in the delivery room and the nurse yelled out "they're vertex/vertex!!!", and hope it was a premonition. ("vertex" sort of means "head down").
Ultrasound Thursday. Also 24 weeks Thursday..."viability" day...wow.
Dear babies, please stay in for 13 more weeks!
24 weeks, has a nice ring to it. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm leaning toward c-section myself.
What a great boss! So happy to learn things are coming along nicely for you.
ReplyDeleteReading your blog gives me hope, my husband and I are in almost the same boat as you and surprisingly enough live in North Florida also. I only have a few more tries before my OBGYN is going to refer us off to an RE. I just hope we are as blessed as you were.
ReplyDelete