Monday, November 10, 2008

Guess What?

As I type this, I am lying on the couch in our family room. I'm home!

At the scan today, Apple's fluid level was "much better" than on Friday. Her deepest pocket of fluid measured about 2.5cm (it was 1 something on Friday). It is still low. But she has three discernible pockets of fluid now instead of one and the perinatologist (the conservative one) was comfortable enough to send me home. Banana's deepest pocket of fluid was somewhere above 6cm, but he appears to have plenty of fluid. And his fluid was also higher than it was on Friday.

I had to do a little reading today because I was confusing these numbers with the AFI (amniotic fluid index), where they divide the mother's abdomen into four quadrants, measure a fluid pocket in each quadrant and add them together. They obviously can't do this with twins, so they generally use the single deepest vertical pocket ("SDVP") method. This simply measures the amount of fluid in one pocket of fluid. I suppose when Apple had only one pocket of fluid, the SDVP measure equaled the AFI number. I can't find any guidelines to what is acceptable under the SDVP method, other than it appears a depth of at least 2cm is desired.

Regardless of the technicalities, we aren't in the clear, but things are looking up. The biophysical profiles (BPP) for both babies looked great this morning and their tracing this morning looked great as well. They did measure my cervix again today per my request. The first measurement she did was about 2cm, which is half of what it was last Wednesday. However, she looked around a bit more and got a better angle to measure and it was quite a bit longer than that. I didn't get an exact number (3 something), but they seemed satisfied with it.

The OB and peri seemed to think that the cel.ebrex was the culprit in reducing the fluid, although you don't usually see such a drastic reduction with such a small dose for only 48 hours. They think that pushing fluids and the warm baths are helping. Neither one had heard of the gelatin idea, but they agreed it wouldn't hurt, so might as well try it.

I've been given strict orders to try to mimic exactly what I've been doing in the hospital at home. This entails lying down as much as possible, getting up only when necessary, two baths per day, still taking my medicine every 4 hours, still doing my bed rest exercises, drinking 64-96 ounces of water every 24 hours, etc. I'm also supposed to call with any concerns whatsoever, keep an eye on my contractions for any changes and take notice of fetal movement to see if it seems decreased to me. I have an appointment with the perinatologist on Wednesday for a growth scan for both babies (and they'll check fluid again) and a follow up appointment with my OB on Thursday. What we do from there depends on what we see at the growth scan.

I am going to try really hard not to be paranoid and constantly worried about these babies while I'm home. And I just need to make it to Wednesday until we see how they are doing again. The other challenge is going to be planning well enough for meals, etc. so I don't need to get up constantly. We'll see how it goes. For now, I'm just happy to be home in familiar surroundings with B and the dogs again. And I can't wait to sleep in my own bed and take a bath in my own tub again. It feels G.O.O.D.

I was in the hospital for about a week and a half and it felt like forever. I have to say though, the days when I had visitors went by much more quickly. Thanks to everyone for visiting, calling, emailing, posting comments and generally for your positive thoughts and prayers. I am truly lucky to have so many great friends and family members.

18 comments:

Meg said...

So glad you are finally home. Hopefully Wednesday will land you back on your couch again!!!

Lollipop Goldstein said...

Sighing a big sigh of relief for you. I'm glad you're home and still sending good thoughts.

bb said...

YAY for being home!!!!! Good luck!

annacyclopedia said...

Hurrah! That's great that you are home. Just keep taking it easy and say "yes" whenever anyone offers to help with supper or household stuff. This will be good practice for after the babies come!

If I lived anywhere remotely near you, I would be organizing your casserole brigade. But I don't, so I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, wishing for your and the babies' continued health and safety.

Maryanne said...

Yahhhhhhh to being in your own home!!! Glad to hear things are doing well today and I hope they continue! BTW-the pics were great!

Antigone said...

Yay! Congrats!

Amanda said...

Hooray for improved fluid levels and hooray for being home!!!

You and the babies are still in my thoughts.

Jen said...

Yay! Now I hope you get to stay home for several more weeks!

Lisa said...

Glad that your home and your Babies are doing well! When looking at your hospital stay photo's it reminded me of a funny thing that happened when I was in the Hospital, Hannah was in the room, and must of woke up in the middle of the night, I had a C-section so it was hard to get up.. I was trying to wake up Jose cause she was crying.. and he stared to get up off the thing they call the couch he slipped on the remote control and fell out off of it instead. I was trying so hard not to laugh cause it hurt. But wow that was funny! I have a box I am sending off to you soon! Hang in there!!!
Cousin Lisa, Hannah and Jose

Ms. J said...

I know you were yearning for the comforts of home, so I am thrilled for you and the babies. Probably hubby happy to not have to be making the commute, too!

STRICT adherance to the Dr's orders, ya hear me?! That's all you can do, and I know you will.

A bath sounds divine to me -- my house is freezing, and I am working from home today since I am suspecting that the flu is working it's way into my system, ugh.

s.e. said...

Wonderful news. Wishing you will make it through the next couple Wednesdays feeling G.O.O.D on your couch!

paula said...

I wish that I could bring you some meals! How great it is that you are home. Every day is a good day at home!!!! Hey what ever happened with your possible job change-sorry flight of ideas, I know that Apple and Banana are more important than work, but I have been wondering...

Rebecca said...

Soooo great! Good for you! Guess that gelatin worked after all! Take it easy and enjoy your baths. I have heard of people on bed rest setting up a mini-fridge with a microwave on top so that they wouldn't have to travel too far.

Io said...

Yay! I'm so glad you're able to be home and the fluid went up. I hope it continues to get better!

Shinejil said...

Glad you're home! I know the next few weeks will be a bit nerve-wracking, but I hope they go as smoothly as possible and that both your little fruits thrive!

Rhonda said...

YEAH!!! I tried to post yesterday, but i have a sketchy connection in my hotel room and it takes 5 minutes to load a page...

as soon as I get home, we can talk casseroles or something - i would love to help in anyway i can!

great news!!
xoxo

nancy said...

So happy you are home! I've been reading all of your posts and saving my comments for when I had time to REALLY comment, obviously falling pretty short!

Sorry you are still on bedrest. I've been there and I know it sucks! So keep at it momma! Apple and Banana need you to stay still!

Phoebe said...

Yay! Congratulations! You did it! Keep up the good work!