The Good, The Gross, and The Bump

      Something was wrong and I knew it.  This wasn't just my normal morning sickness.  I was so sick I could barely walk and couldn't keep anything down.  Cody and I were both in tears because we felt our babies lives were in jeopardy.  We took yet another trip to the ER.  The first time I was sent home with a phenegran pill and pretty much told I had severe morning sickness.  Let's just say we weren't too happy with the good ole Scottsville ER that night.  Seriously, Doc?  A pill?  When I can't keep anything down?  I should've picked it up out of my next spew and handed it back to him.  On our way back I prayed that the babies would be fine.  I was once again scared that the, violent twerking my abdomen was doing while vomitting, would somehow scare my babies and rattle them loose.  I know.  It doesn't work like that.  But at the time, it didn't matter, I was still very scared.  After some testing, they discovered I had the flu.  This was during the time when several pregnant women had died from the flu.  Great.  We finally get our prayers answered and now I might die from Swine Flu.  Dramatic much?  But I didn't.  After many fluids, lots of vomitting,  rest, and spoiling, I recovered.  I survived.
      Yay!  Now that was behind us we could enjoy the rest of this pregnancy and just kick my feet back and relax, right?  My doctor had stated that he did not want me working for more than one reason, so I was staying at home.  The days passed slower than a horse and buggy on the Franklin Road.  Did I mention I had all day  morning sickness?  But like I said before, I didn't mind, because I knew my babies were growing like they should.  I hugged that toilet like a champ!  We decided that after all of the stress of IVF we would take a weekend getaway to the mountains.  We needed a vacation.  It seemed like that past few months had been consumed with needles, doctor's visits, and STRESS.  A romantic mountain getaway with my man was just what I needed.  I was so excited to enjoy some beautiful fall weather, pancakes, and 
shopping with just the two of us.  By the way, the doctor had just lifted the "no intercourse rule" that week, so the hubby was ready for a weekend too.  Poor guy had to go 6 weeks without the one thing, that all guys want...sex.  
      We finally arrived to our hotel and you would have thought I had taken a sedative.  I swear it was almost as if I passed out on that bed.  You would've sworn I was drunk or heavily medicated.  You don't know tired, until you're pregnant.  During the first trimester, sleep is craved almost as much as fried foods and pickles.  Or hot dogs, in my case.  And it wasn't one of those sweet slumbers where you wake up all fresh faced and ready for your day.  It's one of those drool all over the pillow kind.  Where your hair is matted from your drool and stuck to the side of your face.  Where you're like, "HUH, What day is it?" after sleeping a few hours.  Pretty sexy, I'm sure.  But, Cody didn't mind.  After I awoke from my coma, well, I needed a snack.  But we both noticed something that seemed like it wasn't there when I had laid 
down for my nap.  A belly bump.  I was very early in my pregnancy, but I was thrilled to start to see proof that there were, indeed, two babies growing inside of me.  Our "romantic getaway" consisted of LOTS of sleep, food, and very little of anything else.    It also included a hormonal rage where I threw a hair dryer at him, but for some reason or another deserved it.  I think.  But the sleep and food was good.  And the sex, well, I don't think there was any of that.  Poor guy.  I love my husband. :)
      A few weeks later we were finally in our second trimester.  Now I felt like I could relax.  The morning sickness had vanished and the risk of miscarriage was greatly reduced and I was finally with my normal OB.  I see Dr. Gass, and let me tell you, he is the most amazing doctor ever.  I seriously wish I could just give him a hug right now.  He is the sweetest, most caring doctor and we all love him.  Anyways, back to my story.  I was getting ready to go shopping with my mom so I went to take a quick shower.  Just as I started to wash my hair I looked down to see my freshly painted toenail and noticed what was streaming along with the water down the drain.  It was red.  The one thing no pregnant woman ever wants to see.  Blood.  And lots of it.  It was everywhere.  This was it, I was having a miscarriage.  I screamed, I cried, and I went straight to my dr.  I prayed the whole way there for God to have his hands over the babies and protect them from what may be happening.  They did an ultrasound and I braced myself for the worst.  And let me just say this...if I had lost one, it wouldn't "have been fine" since I was having twins.  They were 2 separate souls.  I was already completely in love with my Baby A and Baby B.  If I had lost one, it would have still been devastating.  After my Dr. performed an ultrasound, we determined the issue.  I had a blood clot in my uterus.  It was called a subchorionic hemmorage.  The babies were just fine, but it did complicate things and made me high risk.  Anytime blood is present in the uterus, it can be dangerous.  I was told to do moderate bed rest and keep my feet up.  I was monitored very carefully over the next 6 weeks.  I bled an awful lot, which was scary.  But my awesome doctor kept my anxieties at ease when he monitored me 3 + times a week to check their vital signs.  Thankfully, it resolved on its own and dissolved without any further complications.   And like always, we had angels around us during that time.  
      Shortly after, we discovered that we were having a boy and a girl!  Be still my heart!  

It was one of the greatest moments of our lives.  I got to experience the best of both worlds.  I wanted nothing more than for them to be best friends and each other's protectors.  I was going to get the chance to raise a momma's boy and baseball games and I got to have my bows and girly girl too!  And, let's face it, she had no choice than to be a girly girl.  No camo on the agenda for my gal .  Haha! Kidding! But, really...no camo for her. ;)  We decided on the names...Paislee and Hudson. 
      The rest of my pregnancy went very smoothly.  I got HUGE.  I was measuring full term at only 6 months.  My body got stretch marks in places I did not know you could stretch.  I wasn't one of those that wished her pregnancy away.  If you are one of those, please don't.  Enjoy it.  You will never, ever experience this pregnancy again.  It is such an amazing gift and blessing that everyone should cherish.  And next time you think about posting on Facebook that you "want that baby out of you"  please don't.  Consider the countless women that are longing to have life growing inside of them.  I can honestly say, that I loved being pregnant.  My favorite part was feeling those little kicks and hearing those beautiful heartbeats on the doppler.  I ate whatever I wanted, and I gained lots of weight.  I felt my babies have wrestling matches in the womb.  This was my first pregnancy so I was able to nap...A LOT.  I was blessed...I was incredibly grateful.  This was one of the reasons I am so glad that God chose this path for us.  It made me appreciate everything so much more.  It wasn't a traditional road to parenthood, but it paved the way for the mom that I would become.  It made me step back and realize that pregnancy is not a right, it is a privilege and a miracle in itself.  Thank you, Lord, for answering our prayers and choosing this road for us.  It is a road that has led me to a life I could've never dreamed of having.  And, it had led me to you.  My blog audience.  You wouldn't believe the emails I have received from women who are struggling with infertility but feel alone in all this.  And don't worry...I keep secrets ;)  I thank God for using this blog as a tool to give hope to other women dealing with the same issues and to bring a little light hearted humor as well.  Nothing about infertility is easy...but it is worth it.  Anyways...back to my story...

  

      Everything was going smoothly.  We had just finished up our last round of baby showers and Cody had put together the pack and plays along with the car seats.  The doctors had assured me that I had no signs of preterm labor.  And though, I was measuring very big, I could likely carry them close to their due date.  I went in for a check up with Dr. Gass that week.  I was already at dilated to 3.  They hooked me up to the monitor to see what was going on.  I was having regular contractions and they couldn't stop them.  I was only 31 and a half weeks...

As always, thank you for reading and sharing my blog.  You all are such a blessing and I look forward to hearing your feedback.  I will be back next Monday with a VERY special post :) God bless you all and have an amazing week! Please SHARE :)