We are so happy they arrived without any huge obstacles to overcome considering what they went through before they were born.  The first one weighed in at 4 lbs. 9 oz. (the donor baby).  The 2nd one weighed 4 lbs. 8 oz.(recipient).  It doesn't happen very often when twins' birth weight is so close.  They ARE pretty identical. 

A little over a week ago, I got a call from my OB nurse and she said that my glucose level was high so I had to take the 3 hour glucose test!  I had a feeling this might happen.  Tuesday afternoon I was beginning to get yet another dizzy spell.  This was just an undiagnosed bout of pure torture.  After taking a prescription my doctor gave me in case this happened again, I went off into lala land and woke up the next morning with no signs of dizziness or nausea.  Since I had been fasting for over 12 hours due to not being able to think about eating, I went into the lab right at 9 am for my first poke.  The fasting blood draw  was to see where I stood with no sugar.  That turned out to be a normal 78.  After getting my blood drawn, I had to drink this concentrated fruit punch and wait an hour before getting blood drawn again.  My 4 yr. old son and I waited in the play area until it was time.  That first hour glucose level was at 194.  For being 28 weeks, the normal was 65-180.  Ok. So I flunked the first hour.  2nd hour the level is supposed to start going down but after the 3rd blood draw, it only went down to 167.  Oh great!  Flunked the 2nd hour.  For my 3rd hour and final poke, with my son behaving like a trooper, I endured another stab of the needle and the glucose level only went down to 166.  1 measly little point!  So it's official.  I have Gestational Diabetes.  "During pregnancy, your hormones make it tougher for your body to use insulin, so your pancreas needs to produce more of it. For most moms-to be, this isn't a problem: As your need for insulin increases, your pancreas dutifully secretes more of it. But when a woman's pancreas can't keep up with the insulin demand and her blood glucose levels get too high, the result is gestational diabetes."-babycenter.com
Well, that brought a phone call from a diabetic clinic that I am supposed to go to on Friday to see what steps I need to take to maintain a consistent and safe glucose level.  In the meantime, I can have 3 meals, 3 snacks, fruit, a tiny bowl of cereal if I want in the morning.  My meal portions have to be the size of a saucer. What?!?  Yes, I am hungry after 1 1/2 since eating. But I'll just get used to it.  I will also have to check my glucose level about 6 times a day to make sure it's in check.

A couple days before I got the call that I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, I had cravings for sugar.  I went to the store and loaded up on ice cream, ho-ho's, a box of donuts and juice for afternoon snacks.  I even made a batch of homemade fudge brownies and endulged!!  Now I will have to patiently wait until the end of the week to see what my diet will consist of for the next 7 weeks.  I've never had any problems with my previous pregnancies, but with all the challenges I've endured with this last pregnancy, I'm not surprised that I have GB. I say, Bring it ON!"  I have to say, I am a bit disappointed with all the problems that my body has created.  TTTS, dizzy spells, gestational diabetes.  But at the same time, my body is developing and nurturing 2 healthy baby boys.  It's a great blessing.  I'm ready to take on this new challenge!

The babies are continuing to grow, in fact, the ex-donor baby, is much more active than his brother.  Right now, both heads are down and I wonder how long that will continue.  Since I need to deliver by 36 weeks, I still have a little while to go.  I'm hoping to go naturally instead of getting a c-section.  I've never had a c-section, but I know the recovery is so much more tougher.  I'll keep you posted!

So with research, family help, and strength, we made our way to Texas Children's Hospital.  After a week and a half of ultrasounds every other day, I was finally able to get the surgery we came for.  Initially  I was only at a Stage I.  This is the stage where the amniotic fluid was too little in the donor baby, and too much fluid for the recipient baby.  Stage II, is when the bladder of the donor baby is no longer seen on the ultrasounds.  But because I was quickly progressing, and very uncomfortable, the Dr. set me up to have the procedure done the next day.   The surgery went great, almost 2 liters of fluid was slowly removed from the recipient baby's sac.  I had an ultrasound the very next day to see how things looked before I was discharged and ready to fly home soon.  We passed a big milestone in seeing 2 strong heartbeats.

Tomorrow, I have my "7" day after surgery ultrasound.  I pray that things will look great and that the fluid in each sac is beginning to level out.  I've was given a diary to record my initial 7 days post surgery temperature.  This would let the dr's know if I ever got too close to having an infection.  This is one of the risks of having the laser surgery. 

1 regular roll Bounty paper towels

2 Tbsp. baby bath

2 Tbsp. baby oil

2 c. hot tap water or more

1 empty wipes container, cylinder preferred

(a couple of drops of tea tree oil, or lavender oil optional)

I've noticed using Bounty brand is best, since other brands might dissolve.  Don't buy the double roll, or it won't fit in the container.  Take a serrated bread knife and saw the roll in half to make it short.  Pull cardboard core out and stuff the wipes into container.  Mix the ingredients and pour over towels.  Pull the wipes into the center and keep covered.  Just add water if it begins to dry out.  Voila!!!

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