I had my 35 week appointment this week and I am already 3 centimeters dilated! Although I didn’t intend on writing the third trimester bumpdate this soon, it’s time! The babies could really be here any day, and I want to make sure I get everything documented (see other bump dates here and here). I was looking back at my third trimester bumpdate from my first pregnancy, and saw that I wasn’t at 3 centimeters until 38 weeks (and Rosie was born a week later!) If I were a betting person, I would say the babies will be here within the week. Wow!
Glucose Test (and Fail!)
Similar to my first pregnancy, I failed the first glucose screening test. At around 28 weeks you do a glucose screening to check for gestational diabetes. If you fail, it does not mean that you have gestational diabetes, it just means you need to do an additional 3+ hour test. I did that second test and passed! It was such a relief. With a twin pregnancy, you are at higher risk for gestational diabetes, so I for sure thought that I was going to have it this time. To be honest, I cannot imagine adding another thing to this twin pregnancy. A multiples pregnancy is already A LOT and adding a new diet, etc. would be very stressful. I’m so glad everything worked out in the end.
Nesting and House Projects
We’ve been doing A LOT to get the house in order before the babies arrive. A major project we had going on the last few months was our basement remodel. We completely gutted the basement, added a bedroom, remodeled the bathroom, changed the flooring, added cabinetry, and more! It’s been a huge undertaking but we are so happy to have that done before the babies come. We plan to have our families stay in the basement while they are here helping with the twins. Besides for the major remodel, I’ve also been doing a lot of “nesting” as they call it. I organized closets, donated bags and bags of stuff, moved things into storage, etc. It feels great to be getting organized!
Baby and Nursery Prep
I’ve spent the last six weeks or so in full-on baby prep mode. We elected not to have any showers this time around, so we’ve been carefully selecting what items we want to buy, and buying a lot secondhand too. As far as twin products, we chose to buy a twin bassinet, a table-for-two, and a twin-z pillow. Those were BY FAR the most loved twin products. I’ve really enjoyed getting the nursery ready too. We are re-using the glider and changing table from Rosie’s nursery, and we will have her crib once she is ready for a bigger bed. The babies won’t be in their nursery right away, so I’m trying not to stress about it not being done quite yet! I still have some decisions to make on wall art, curtains, etc. but I know those things can wait!
Appointments
Because a multiples pregnancy is high risk, we have weekly appointments for a lot of the third trimester. At each appointment, we do an ultrasound and also meet with our doctor. During the ultrasounds they do these “tests” for the babies where they look to see that the babies are doing the practice breathing, moving. etc. Both twins have been passing with flying colors! Every other week, they measure the growth of each of the babies. Based on our most recent ultrasound, the babies should both be close to 6 pounds by delivery time (I hope!) but of course all we care about is that they are healthy!
Delivery Plans
During one of our ultrasounds we learned that baby B had flipped and is now head down! This was huge news because it changed our approach for delivery from a c-section to labor! Of course we know that delivery could still end with a c-section, but we are planning on a vaginal delivery since the babies are both head down. We are very comfortable with this plan (and so is our doctor) so that is how we are going to proceed. It’s very weird to think for so long that you are going to have a c-section, and then have all of the plans change!
Aches, Pains, and Treatments
I’ve been having really bad back pain and hip pain the last few months. I’ve been getting massages every two weeks and also going to acupuncture every two weeks. I think it’s helping, but a twin pregnancy is still so difficult and demanding physically. I’m just trying to stay on top of it. At my most recent prenatal massage, the therapist told me how uneven my hips are. My left hip is much higher than my right, and I’m sure that’s adding to the discomfort. She said the only thing that will solve this issue is having the babies!
Last Minute Prep
We’ve really been working hard to get all of the last minute details ready. Tony has been doing it all! He’s been washing bottles, installing car seats, reconfiguring the stroller, you name it! I’ve been doing tons of baby laundry, last minute shopping, and of course more organizing. I also packed our hospital bags and got my postpartum items ready. We are ready to go whenever the babies are ready!