We started week 35 on Friday, June 22nd. Here is my belly shot from that Saturday. We had a friend's wedding to go to so I was actually all dressed up. My belly is quite stretched and I feel it more and more every day. The boys move like crazy and I feel it no matter how big or small the movement is. Baby A is completely head down into my pelvis, so whenever he moves, I have to pee LOL His head rests right on my bladder, so it is def a pain to have him down so low. The other is stretched up across the top, so he is constantly in my ribs, making it very hard to breath!!!
It was the final appointment with the Maternal Fetal Specialist. He said we
graduated his program top of the class!!! LOL Here are some pictures---top one
is of Baby B and his hair...middle picture is of the two of them together...and
bottom picture is of Baby A and his hair!
Baby A heartbeat was 154 today. He weighs roughly 5 pounds and 4 ounces. He
is head down, with his face positioned looking at my right side. He is strong,
healthy and has a head full of hair!!! He moved on us three times during the
ultrasound and the tech said that for being that big and not having that much
space, they are both very active babies!! Which is a VERY good sign!!!
Baby B heartbeat was 150 today. He weighs roughly 5 pounds and 9 ounces. He
is also head down with his face positioned looking at his brother. His back and
butt are up in my ribs. He is the taller of the two babies.
Both babies have great fluid levels, the placentas look wonderful and my
cervix is still very high, very tight and no signs of any preterm labor!!! He
said not many women make it to 35 weeks and have this good of vitals for both
babies. He will not be at the delivery, but said that when the babies get
released, before we leave, we need to bring them by the office as he would love
to see them. He said he will be very curious to hear how big they are when they
are delivered. I told him that we would try, and if nothing else, I would bring
by pictures. I am going to miss seeing this doctor because he really was amazing to work with!!!
On Thursday the 28th, I did my NST and normal OB appointment. Had a scare with Baby B, heart rate dropped
down a couple of times, so they monitored me for longer, and did a full
ultrasound on both babies, but came to the conclusion that everything was just
fine and it must have just been a fluke. My OB checked me and everything is
still tight and hard with no change in my cervix. Tomorrow we will be 36 weeks
with these two little men! I go back next Friday for another NST and OB
appointment.
Here is info on Week 35:
By 35 weeks pregnant, when a woman
is carrying twins, the big day can arrive any time. A twin pregnancy is
considered full term at the 37-week mark; however, many twins are born
prior to that time. At 35 weeks pregnant, mom and babies are gearing up
for the big day.
Considerations: Mom at 35 Weeks
By
35 weeks pregnant with twins, mom is carrying close to 9 lbs. of
babies, not to mention the rest of the tissues and fluids that go along
with pregnancy. This can be as much as 35 to 40 lbs. in all. Most
pregnant women at 35 weeks are already slowing down. Those who have an
extra baby to nourish and carry may have to take it extra slow.
According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,
women who are pregnant with twins should take frequent rest breaks.
Features of Babies at 35 Weeks
So
what are those babies doing in there to make Mom so tired? Growing and
developing at an incredible pace. By 35 weeks, both babies have full
muscle, bone and nerve development and are working to finish up their
lungs. What to Expect reports that lung development is usually complete
by 37 weeks; however, they may mature as early as week 33. By 35 weeks,
both babies can open and close their eyes, and respond to light. They
have eyelashes and fingernails. At the 35-week mark, both babies are
covered in a protective wax-like substance called vernix.
Time Frame for Twin Pregnancy
At
35 weeks, most babies are fit for survival outside the womb if born
pre-term. According to What to Expect, even if the babies' lungs are not
fully mature at this stage, most twins have a good chance of being
healthy and free from long-term medical problems by the time they pass
the 32-week mark. They may, however, still have to spend some time in a
neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU.
Identification: Birth Plan at 35 Weeks
Many
practitioners do not like women pregnant with twins to go too far past
the 37-week mark. In fact, What to Expect reports that many OB doctors
induce around the 37- to 38-week mark, or schedule a cesarean section.
According to the ACOG, whether a woman will deliver twins vaginally or
by scheduled C-section depends on her health and that of the babies, as
well as the babies' position in the womb. Sometimes, a planned vaginal
twin birth can turn into an emergency C-section, depending on how it is
progressing. At 35 weeks pregnant with twins, now is a good time for the
mother to have a discussion with the OB.
Special Testing at 35 Weeks
At
35 weeks pregnant with twins, Mom can expect one or two OB visits per
week. These include the usual prenatal monitoring in addition to some
specialty tests. She may have additional ultrasounds as well as
non-stress testing, which measures the babies' movements and heart
rates. Some doctors also perform a late-term amniocentesis to check on
the maturity of the babies' lungs.
