Third Trimester

I’m 27 weeks today, which puts me in the third trimester. (I always go by fetal development, not the more arbitrary length of pregnancy.) It’s crazy to think that in about 10 weeks (hopefully not before seven!) our babies will be here.

Although just 27 weeks, my belly looks about 34 weeks (pic at bottom of post). In the past week, I’ve started hearing, “Not long now, eh?” from strangers. When I look ’em straight in the eye and say I have about another two and a half months to go, their confused expression cracks me up.

Actually, one of the funniest things about this pregnancy has been when people ask, “Are you having a girl or a boy?” and I get to respond, “A girl and a boy…” There’s that split second of confusion, Did I hear that right?, before they figure out I’m pregnant with twins.

The strangest thing about this pregnancy has been how easy it’s been. I’m considered high risk because it’s twins and I’m 40, but aside from monthly growth ultrasounds I don’t see my medical team any more often that I did with just one baby. In many ways, it’s been an easier pregnancy than my one with V, which was fraught with fear about bleeding and contractions from the placenta previa.

By contrast, in spite of carrying two babies (who, last week, had a combined weight of 4½ pounds, or just over 2kg), this pregnancy has been a lot more straightforward.

Inwardly, the placentas are both far away from my cervix (so my Ob won’t have to cut through either of them when the time comes to deliver) and there is no evidence of accreta. One of the MFMs I saw did say that my history of massive postpartum hemorrhage means on the day I deliver, as a precaution I’ll have two IV lines inserted and the OR will be stocked with blood products cross-matched to my blood type.

Outwardly, the biggest difference is that because I got a lot bigger a lot more quickly, I’ve slowed down sooner. My legs get very tired and my feet get swollen after just 20 minutes of standing. I’ve gained about 25lbs, but I haven’t really filled out, except for my belly. (I’ve definitely gained weight around my butt and thighs, and my boobs are bigger, but unless you know me well, it’s hard to notice on my super tall frame.)

No stretchmarks (yet!), and I aced the glucose test. I’m borderline anaemic. I have a glorious varicose vein at the top of my thigh below my butt cheek. Don’t get me started on haemorrhoids and constipation (but feel free to ask me how I manage that aspect!). And I stave off migraines by drinking two cups of tea in the morning, and generally staying very hydrated—I drink about 200 oz (5-6 litres) of fluids a day—while making sure I keep my electrolytes in check.

I’ve been feeling the babies move since 12 weeks, and they are very active. It’s sometimes hard to figure out who’s moving, but sometimes it’s obvious. Baby Girl has been head down for a while. She likes to punch my bladder, but I have a bladder of steel, so I haven’t peed on myself yet! I don’t like it when she head-butts my cervix though—I did end up in L&D as a precaution. Baby Boy usually lies across my torso, spanning my ribcage. Sometimes when he moves he squeezes my stomach, and I end up with a little vomit in my throat. Gross, but no big deal. At the 26-week growth scan, Baby Boy was slightly smaller (54th percentile) than his sister (84th percentile). Those percentiles are for singletons—in other words, Boy is an average-sized baby and Girl is a big baby. I will ask my Ob if their above-average sizes will mean an earlier delivery…

I still wrestle with anxiety from time to time.

I worry about how V will cope. DH and I have been soaking up this summer with her, our last as a family of three. I know our relationship will change, and part of me is wistful. Having said that, there is something lovely about a 4-year age gap, because she’s getting to an age where she has little friends and a life at preschool. She’s excited about becoming a big sister and will kiss each side of my belly and tell her brother and sister that she loves them (and no, I didn’t plant words in her mouth!). Other times she regresses to baby talk, wants to be breastfed, and curls up in my lap.

I worry about the delivery. I was told I could have a VBAC, but decided on a CBAC, given my history of haemorrhage. I’m not scared, per se, but I wonder if I will haemorrhage again. (Another blog post on CBAC is in the works!)

I worry about finances. Babies are expensive, and they get more expensive the older they get. We need to buy a second car—we’re both self-employed so have gotten away with just one for five years, but that won’t be possible once we have three kids. The cost of living in SD is so high, and when the babies arrive, our health insurance premium (no employer subsidy) will increase by 50% aka Higher Than Most People’s Mortgage.

And I worry about how I will cope with two newborns. Because DH is self-employed, he doesn’t get paid time off; unlike in Europe, neither of us will get any maternity/paternity leave. He is a very hands-on dad and attentive husband, but the reality is if he doesn’t work, he doesn’t get paid; and I know from past experience that other people’s offers of help wane after a few weeks.

I’m aiming to keep these babies cookin’ until Thursday 10/25 or Friday 10/26—after V’s 4th birthday, but close to the weekend, so DH can spend time with us in hospital for the first day or two, while V is at preschool. By that time, my mum will be here too.

Meanwhile, I’m starting to think about a birth plan and what to pack in my hospital bag. We’ve definitely picked a name for the girl, and are playing around with a name for the boy. Middles names, sheesh, who knows? Most importantly, I’m working on how best to keep V involved in what will happen while keeping her routine as close to normal as possible.

This pregnancy has gone by so incredibly fast, but today the countdown has officially begun.

Scroll down for belly pic :)
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