I haven't done nearly well enough with keeping up with this information so here are updates since last time. I had given blood again and my hormone levels came back in the 14,000's! I still need to look back at what I recorded for Silas, but this seems SO high. It was additional confirmation that I might be having multiples along with other strange signs that kept coming up. Besides the medical factors, I was amazed at how I was being inindated with TWINS! I was holding meetings for twins, a parent brought twins to a meeting, etc. It was definitely in my face.
My first ultrasound appointment was scheduled for 11/3 - my 33rd birthday! What a present! BJ went with me which was a good thing because it ended up being more emotional than I anticipated. Immediately after the ultrasound began it was obvious that there was not one, but two sacs. I can't say that we had hoped for twins or that I think it would be easy, but it was exciting to think about the possibility of TWO babies. However, not long after the two sacs were identified it was evident that something wasn't right. The technician continued to probe for anything that would indicate two babies and didn't come up with anything. She indicated that sometimes a baby can be hiding; however, the doctor told us not to be optimistic that there would be a baby since we should have been able to see a heartbeat by now. The positive was that the 2nd sac held a perfect little babe with a heart rate of 122 beats per minute.
A follow-up appointment was scheduled for today (11/18 - 9 weeks). I was very anxious about going to the appointment. I didn't have any reason to think things weren't going well, but the time between appointments is always frustrating. It is so reassuring to hear that heart beat. It was obvious that there is only one baby today as the 2nd sac hadn't continued to grow. The healthy baby had a heart rate of 178 beats per minute. This seemed high to me! The technician also kept saying that she thought the baby looked "big" which lead Amanda to the nickname, "Tubby T." I'm not sure I'm on board with this one if there is a cute little girl in there. The doctor was pleased with my progress and noted that the sac is slightly small but this isn't atypical with twins. I have officially been released from Wash U which is bittersweet. I have never had a doctor that made me feel so supported and we are so very thankful for Dr. Keller's intervention. My next appointment will be with the Generalists Group at Center for Advanced Medicine. I will deliver in St. Louis at Barnes Jewish Hospital.
Things are moving along. I have never been more exhausted in my life, but so excited for Silas to be a big brother. Today he received a choo choo has a gift from the baby. We're still not sure he gets it.
