A quick update: there is none!  I am 34 1/2 weeks going on 35 this Saturday.  Twins are born on average around 36 weeks (1 mo. early when compared to a normal 40 wk. single baby pregnancy).  They are each about 5 lbs. or a little bigger now probably and twins average 5-6 lbs. at birth each.  So by statistics we are getting close.  I also feel like its almost time.  I am having crazy baby dreams and contractions (painless) continue.  My belly measures like a mom that is about 2-3 weeks overdue so I am pretty large!  I feel like that too and have started that hardly sleeping thing (fun!).  My hands are swollen and numb from pregnancy induced “carpal tunnel” so I am wearing wrist braces and look like a pro-bowler!  The Dr. suggested cortizone shots in the wrists, but I declined being hopeful I would deliver soon.  Anyway, things are packed and ready to go, now we just wait.  The good news is that they are both healthy, growing equally and well and are in the best possible position for a natural delivery.

As for delivery, I am hoping for a natural delivery vs. a C-section because the recovery is so much easier.  I know that I will labor in a regular room and then go to the operating room to deliver in case they have to do an emergency c-section in between the birth of the two.  There are really 3 scenarios:

(1) Deliver both naturally.  About 1/2 of all twins are delivered this way.  This is what I am hopeful for.  Twins in this situation are delivered anywhere from 3-45 mins. apart.

(2) Deliver both by c-section either planned or determined once we get into the hospital depending on the babies positions if they change or if the babies aren’t doing great.  In that case, JD will be able to be there and I will be awake and just numbed with a spinal block from the waist down roughly.  It will probably take about 1/2 hr and I’ll have a small scar.  Like a normal c-section.

(3) Deliver one naturally and other by emergency c-section/deliver both by emergency c-section.  This case, which is clearly the most scary, only happens if the babies/baby is in grave condition and needs to be out ASAP.  I will be put completely out right away, JD cannot be there with me, they will probably give me a large incision from my ribs down the middle of my belly and get the babies out quickly.  The babies will be stabilized and then JD can see them as soon as they are, which could take a while.  I will also take me a bit to wake up from being under.  A small percentage of twins end up having to be delivered this way, so the odds are against this!  This is the worst case scenario and we are hopeful this won’t happen.

One thing we know for sure is that lots of people will be there to welcome these two!  In the operating room, besides JD and I, the Dr. told me that she’ll be there, at least 2 nurses for herself, an ultrasound tech to scan my belly and watch the second baby as the first comes out to make sure the second baby is staying in good position, 2 teams of baby nurses (about 3 each) plus any NICU nurses if they think there are problems with the babies and 2 pediatric doctors, the anesthesiologist ready to administer the heavy stuff there is an emergency and an extra surgeon to help with a c-section.  There will also be any interns, etc. that need to see twin birth.  So, she said figure on about 15 extra people.  That’s a lot of people for a “private” family moment!  The only thing I am sad about is that our close family can’t be there.  I am glad that in these times though, JD can be there- which wasn’t the case years ago.  By the way- check out this incredible movie about birth in America to see what it used to be like and what has and hasn’t changed in the birth of children.

Anyway that’s the plan or possible plans!  You’ll know ASAP how it goes and when it goes!  Send me your email if you want to be on the list when JD sends out the news!