We met with several doctors today, and received lots of good news! I have also ordered lots of delicious food from room service (room service!) and am starting to think I will never want to leave the hospital.
The doctors have noticed an issue with baby Ian's umbilical cord. It's attached in a difficult place - at the edge of the placenta, instead of in the middle. It doesn't seem to be functioning as well as it should. He's still growing, and within a normal size range, so all they can do is keep an eye on his heartrate, blood flow, and growth. So that's why I'm in the hospital - so they can monitor those vitals. I feel great, and the babies are doing great!
Ian is (almost) 3 pounds, and Isla is 3.5. I'm at 30.5 weeks, and the doctors would like to make it 32 weeks, if Ian continues to do well. At 34 weeks (Aug 25), they will definitely deliver the babies. Making it to those milestones would reduce the amount of support they would need from the NICU.
The ultrasound from today looked better than yesterday, which was unexpected, and great news. They may still keep me here for monitoring until delivery. That seems to be the option my doctor is most in favor of, unless he sees dramatic improvement in Ian's umbilical cord function. Dr. Bellardo is consulting with the maternal-fetal group who specializes in cord issues, so we have an excellent team of doctors and nurses taking care of us!
We really are doing well - I feel great, and have tons of books, movies, paint/tile/fabric samples & baby registries to keep me busy. I'm at Baptist, and visitors are totally welcome - just call or text before you come - they take me for ultrasounds often, and I wouldn't want to miss you! TJ might need some help getting the nursery ready, or maybe an easy meal or two. Just call or text him if you're in the mood for manual labor...
We are so excited to meet these sweet babies that we're already in love with. And we're excited to introduce them to all of you! Thank you for you love, thoughts and prayers.
