I don't think I've gone into detail about it here, but lately I've been having appointments with a specialist every 2 weeks for the past 6 weeks. He told me that, since the biggest danger with multiple pregnancies is preterm labor, he would be doing a cervical check every 2 weeks until I hit 24 weeks, and also doing a swab for some sort of labor-related protein at 24 weeks. (Sorry if this is a little TMI, but such is the business of pregnancy and babies.) If my cervix stayed longer than 1 inch AND there was no sign of that protein, I would have about a 2-3% chance of going into labor before 32 weeks (2 months early). If things got too short down there and the protein WAS present, I would have a 50-60% chance of going into labor before 32 weeks.
So anyway, this past Thursday was the long-awaited 24 weeks appointment. My cervix had been eliciting compliments from the specialist such as "beautiful!" and "gorgeous!" (which is weird to hear, but reassuring), and this week was no exception--it is still plenty long. And I got a call yesterday that the test for that protein was also negative. So... no bed rest for me, at least not yet! And no cerclage, thank heavens. That's where they actually sew the cervix shut to prevent premature labor. ICK!! I had never heard of such a procedure, and I'm glad I won't have to experience it.
On top of that, hitting 24 weeks is something of a milestone in itself, because about half the babies born at this point will survive. (It's somwhere around half, anyway, depending on which study comes up in my searches.) And the rates go up dramatically from this point, until about 90% survive at 29 weeks. So not only am I very unlikely to pop these kiddos out super early, at this point they should make it even if I do go into labor.
And let's just take a moment to pause and consider how strange is the fact that I could produce actual live, viable babies right at this very moment. I'm not sure I'm ready for that idea yet. Luckily, I should have some more time to adjust!
And without further ado, I will now introduce our entertainment for the evening: Starring as themselves, I give you.... Baby A and Baby B!!! (Otherwise known as Pebbles and Bam-Bam.)
2 comments:
Yay, it sounds like you're starting to enjoy this whole pregnancy thing a little more! =) Love you, sister!
Very educational! Especially the TMI parts! The video was great (again!) and so much fun to watch. Pebbles and Bam Bam, huh? I guess that will have to do until you guys come to some decisions and compromises on names! It's definitely better than Baby A & B, anyway. It is amazing how the sonogram actually captured the profile of Pebbles' face so perfectly! And they are both already so accomplished and they haven't even been born yet! We love your creativity and can't be more happy that everything is going so well with the pregnancy itself. I know you will be glad when the constant doctor visits finally subside, Lisa. We love all of you so much!
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