Flash back of delivery day 6/30

I had been worrying that no one would be around when I got in labor. Turned out..I needed to admit to hosp d/t protein in urine on 6/29. I arrived hosp with my hubby on 6/29 8pm. I was checked out that everything was fine(I had a mild pre-eclampsia..143/78). Needed to stay in hosp for BP monitoring till delivery. I thought I would be so bored in hosp for 1 month.

Then I had mentrual cramp in the middle of that night, and voided some blood & white particle. But the RN said it was fine. Then I had some clear fluid came out...she checked with acid paper & said that was not "water'. Shortly afterward, I had more fluid came out. This time I got checked by a doctor, he said my water broke, & needed to have emergency c-section. I called my hubby @3:15am.

Karissa was born @ 6/30 4:46am (4 lb 7 oz. Apgar score: 9 on 1st min, then 10..full score on 5 min). Kody was born @ 4:47am (3 lb 14 oz. Apgar score 8 on 1st min, then 9 on 5 min). Both didn't need any oxygen. Both sent to NICU. Just got IV & put into isolette to keep them warm. According to Lunar Calendar, they both born on 5th month, day 16.

Karissa now cries only when she's hungry. She breaks her own feeding record daily. From eating 35 ml each time..to now 70 ml(can finish a bottle in a flash), then would sleep for 4 hr. Very Very healthy.

Kody has long legs & long fingers...Got tired easily d/t his size, not a fussy BB. Need more time to learn how to suck. Otherwise, he's good too. He was good last night...finished whole bottle of 35 ml by himself, no need to gavage. Keep up the good work..son.

I could walk with help of pain killer on 2 days after surgery. Now I can walk without pain killer. With caring/love from friends, I got different kind of soup delivered to home & during hospitalization.

Death sentence

Now is 10:55am. I just received a call from my new OB/GYN doc. She said the result of my 24 hr unrine is back. There is a lot of protein in it. After consulting with specialist, they recommend me to admit to hospital to stay till delivery day. I feel fine & still has so many unfinished business. I hope I don't end up staying this long la. Cuz I'm just 34 week pregnant. If I do stay till delivery date, I would stay in hospital for 4 weeks. Staying home is not fun. Staying in hospital is even worse...much worse than Paris Hilton's recent prison experience. I told Terence. He said he'll try to be home early..but can only leave work by 4pm. I hope I won't get sick until then la. I hope I can be released back to home soon in just 1-2 day la.

Off working starting NOW

I slept on living room's couch last night. cuz it would be more convenient for me to access to fridge, & dump urine into the 24 hr urine collector. All the urine had to keep refrigerated. I don't know why I didn't sleep good last night (d/t sleeping on couch?). I've been up every hour since 1:30am. Amazingly, I didn't get headache afterward. In fact, I have not had a good night sleep since I was 32 week pregnant. Cuz turning side to side is such a hard work for me.

Anyway, I saw doc again today, then I would know if I could work 1 more day or not. I hope I can keep working part time for 1 more week. But my BP didn't make my wish comes true. I got BP140/78. Higher than 2 days ago. So even my BP is still in normal range, but on a climbing trend. According to doc's preference, I should off work starting now.

Starting next week, my 'job' would be going to Kaiser for non-stress test twice a week, & staying home alone as a 'prisoner' till delivery. But for sure I'll have plenty time to write blog.

Kaiser day (Part 2)

Last night, we went to Walnut Creek for newborn class. It was long~2.5 hrs till 10pm. No wonder Terence was not able to focus (even more than usual). He kept looking up to celing & peeling his fingers. Just completely staying in his own world instead of listening to what the speaker was saying. That's usual to me. I guess only computer conference can get his attention.

Later, I asked him if he could point out some of the points that the speaker mentioned. Of course, he could not mention any. Now is the best time to teach/prepare him with idea what's coming in a near future, cuz I'm still in good shape. But I doubt he has energy/interest to learn any. I just hope things will not go too wild that I can't handle myself.

My cousin asked me if I like vaginal birth or C-section. I know Terence prefers C-section. Cuz it can be scheduled, so for sure he would be around. But with his health plan, we may need to pay extra $ for C-section. If BBs' position allows me to have vaginal birth, my recovery time will be shorter. But I'm scare of the pain..the most is I don't think Terence is strong enough to support me (physically/mentally). Cuz labor can last for hours even a day. He even said he got tired after just giving me 1 body massage (learned from childbirth class..massage after each contraction). Frankly, I would be scared & feel helpless during labor if my helper(Terence) can't be helpful. So even I hate to be under knife, & pay extra $. I think C-section sounds better to me. At least, Terence doesn't need to do much (I don't need to count on him in that case).

I know for sure once BBs come, I'll be the super-woman (mom). Just hope Terence can slowly become a properly trained dad with a helping hand, so I won't feel I'm alone/taking full load on taking care of BBs. Please PRAY FOR ME!!

Kaiser day (Part 1)

My OB/GYN doc will be off work for a while d/t family emergency, so I had appointment with another doc. My weight is 166 lbs, but BP is at high 130 range. The worst is 3+ protein found in urine (sign of pre-eclampsia). So doc advised me to be off work this week. Plus I need to have several lab tests done including 24 hr urine protein.

Today was the 1st day I heard BBs' heartbeat @ doc's office & 1st non-stress test. They are pretty strong & regular. Their positions are still the same (girl: breech, boy: transverse). Doc said if they stay this way, I'll have scheduled c-section on week of July 24. Same comment I got from my original OB/GYN doc. With non-stress test, I stayed @ Kaiser from 11am till 1:30pm. What a long day. But more to come, see head/neck specialist @2:30pm, then newborn class would be held @ night. Luckily, Terence is off today. I bet I would fall asleep in car.

Too bad to know that specialist advised me to wait till 1 month after delivery to have the procedure done (if swollen gum won't shrink back by then). Cuz even I got it removed now, it will grow back again d/t high hormone level I got from pregnancy.

Last day of work ...probable

Today could be my last day of work. I'll know for sure by tomorrow after doctor's appointment.

I hope I can continue working for 1 more week. Anyway, I told coworkers & clients that today could be my last day before I start maternity leave. Surprisingly, a recreational therapist Frances told me to show up in day room around 1: 30pm. Then I found out that clients @ Fillmore collected some money, & bought me BB gifts. How touching, especially I only started to know them since January, and many of them are not financially well. I do appreciate the gift I received, but the support from clients is more precious & brought me great joy. It is a BIG reward from this job.

Being a nurse can be very stressful depends on which area you work in. Often is this kind of gesture such as a smile/appreciation from client that gives us strength/reason to carry on staying in stressful nursing field.

血瘡瘦身了 YEAH!!

After days/nights of 血染 everything (clothes, carpet, pillow, pillowcase, night gown etc), 血瘡 噴血 portion suddenly gone this morning. Now only left with the swollen gum portion. I can finally see 2/3 of my right front tooth. Before that, half of my R front tooth was hidden underneath 血瘡. Even the area still would bleed, at least it won't spray out of my mouth...just bleed along gum & my tooth..so it would stay inside my mouth.

I can finally say bye bye to those midnight washing period (wash linen that soak with blood in the middle of the night). With frequent bathroom visit & washing cycle, I really had a hard time to get back to sleep. Hope from now on, I can get more sleep.

血戰前夕

I finally see a doctor today re: 血瘡. The doctor agrees with my idea, & will refer me to see a Head & Neck speciliast next Tuesday. I hope I can finally get rid of it next week, & get my freedom back.

血染父親節

2 of Terence's friends (known from San Jose U) & their couple came over from Sunnyvale to visit us. We brought them to Dublin's newly opened Ulferts Center http://www.ulferts.com/dublin/index.php to have lunch. It was hot on this Father's Day. We were chit chatting with Kelvin & his gf while we were waiting for Arthur & his wife. Good that I was facing Terence. My 血瘡 suddenly gushed blood out like a wide opened hose. Terence's clothes got many blood stain. Not only that, the ground & a bumper of a car parked in front of me also got blood. How embarrassing!! IT happened once @ clinic before. Luckily that no coworker or client stood where I sprayed my blood. It bleeds unexpectedly...It can bleed if I bite on something like apple, or even a smile can trigger it to bleed. So much blood came out that I can't even swallow all of my blood on time. Some wonders if I would be anemic d/t that.

失血/捐血大行動??

A friend said it's hard to imagine my legs can be that swollen. Me too. Now even my upper thigh started to be swollen. Both of my upper thigh can touch each other when I walk. I bet I walk like a fat lady now. D/t swollen legs, some easy things become hard for me to do. Taking pants(socks) off/putting pants(socks) on, or cutting my toe nails can't be done without taking effort/deep breath (Almost like MISSION IMPOSSIBLE). Doc said at least 10 lbs I gained is from swollen legs & swollen fingers.

Today, I have my swollen gum bled 4 times @ work. More often than usual. So much that it seems like I was donating blood. I needed to wash my clothes couple times afterward. Coworkers said I could be the best studying example. Cuz I carries twins, so I get more symptoms in a more severe form, & much earlier than those just carries 1 BB. Even though I feel great & able to work 5 days a week, my boss (who's 6 month pregnant) feels I should just work 4 days a week. I'm workaholic or what? I just don't like to stay home alone. I like having free lunch & people to talk to @ work. Time goes faster @ work.

Hot day today

I was off today for doctor appointment. My weight is 160 lbs. Doc said everything looks good. My cervix is still long & closed. BBs still r in breech position. If they don't change position, C section may be scheduled to be done on 38th week. Just hope this pair of 'Golden pig' BB would change their positions, so I won't be cut opened. My blood pressure & urine both r still normal. But my blood pressure is higher than last time. I'll c doc again on 6/26, then I'll know if I can still work, or need to stay home like a prisoner. I'd rather be working. Staying home alone is so boring.

I thought of doing more shopping today after doctor appointment. But today is so hot (95F). I feel better staying home & watching TV with cool treat (yogurt/fruit/cracker) by my side.

End of 31 week

We went to SF Marina district this weekend. As due date is getting closer, we both think it could be our last time to go to SF beachside before BBs come. It was so windy as usual. We saw a lot of yacht/windsurfing. So relaxing....but Terence got cold from this climate.

I have been having "Braxton-Hicks" or false contraction lately. Perinatal nurse said it's normal as long as I don't get it more than 6 in an hour. Everytime I get false contraction, my tummy would be tighten like a rock. I can see & feel where their heads/bottoms are.

Now, I get more symptoms d/t pregnancy. For the past few days, I have been having a tough time to get good night sleep. 1 time I even awake since 12:30am. All d/t either frequent bathroom call, swollen leg discomfort, or nighttime BB swimming contest inside my belly. Another new symptom is I got swollen gum @ front teeth. It's d/t extra hormone from pregnancy. My coworker (dentist) said nothing I can do. It will go away few weeks after delivery. The section got swollen gum like a big blood blister. It would bleed suddenly & it takes a while to get it to stop. I got blood on clothes 3 times already. IT bleed so much that gauze can get soaked up instantly. I found the best way to stop it is to put pressure on it/suck my own blood till it stops.

Ultrasound

Technician did ultrasound on me 3 times today. I thought not again. Don't tell me that they found another BB problem. Good to know that everything is normal. Today is 1st day of 30 week. BB girl is 3 lb 6 oz, & BB boy is 2 lb 13 oz. Doc said if BBs don't change their positions. I'll need to get C section for delivery. Plus since BB girl occupied the bottom of my belly, she could be a big sister not just in size but in birth order too.

My update

Time flies. I'll be 29 week pregnant by next Tuesday. Good to know that BBs & I r ok from yesterday doctor's appointment . Just having swollen legs & carpal tunnel syndrome (normal in twin pregnancy). No backache etc. I just can't believe that my feet can get swollen to the point like "Michelin tire". So far, I gained 40 lbs (149 lbs now). Started from 2 wks ago, coworkers noticed I started to look differently. My nose was getting bigger like Jackie Chan. Doctor even said my face started to be puffy. Hope it's a normal pregnancy sign, & not a sign that I'll have preeclampsia (gestational hypertension). Yesterday, 囡囡 sat upright inside my left side of tummy. 仔仔 lie horizontally across top of my tummy.

Perinatal nurse gave me another assignment to do daily. Besides counting contraction daily, I also need to count how long it would take to get 10 BB kicks. Wow... it seems easy but tough for me to do...cuz I'm lazy & forgetful.

Mother's Day (@ end of 27 week pregnant)

It's been a long time that we have not been to Santana Row in San Jose. It has a special event on this Mother's day weekend (5/13). It's Italian street painting. It's our 1st time to see giant painting being done on street right in front of us. It's v.interesting.