32 weeks tomorrow!

Well I'm 14 hours off reaching 32 weeks and I will be very grateful to reach that landmark point (fingers crossed). It means I can go to my hospital and the babies have a much better chance of great health in the long term. Any longer now is a bonus and my ultimate goal is 34 weeks because that's when the stats get reeeaaaalllyyy good. And you know how much I love stats :))

At my next obs visit (this Thursday) he'll book in my induction date if the babies don't come sooner. It's a toss up between the one year anniversary of Otto's passing (33+4) or the following Tuesday (34+1). The weekend and Monday are out because of the long weekend (uh-huh). If my PUPPP can stay at the low level the steroid shots, steroid cream and anti-histamines has kept it at, I'm going to push for the later date. But if the babies arrive on their own during the long weekend I shall laugh :))

Since my last post I've been trying to steal moments with the babies to talk to them and to prepare us all for the big transition that is about to take place. I put on my "Greatest iPod Megamix Playlist" on Friday and sung to them and explained why each song is my favourite, and told them when they are a bit bigger we'll all sing those songs together and dance whenever we feel like it, and I'll teach them piano and Daddy will show them guitar and harmonica, and we'll play with Rocky, and we'll go to the park to look at nice friendly doggies, and on special occasions we'll bake cupcakes and basically have a wild old time. I told them that because of a lot of hard work from a lot of good people they will have strong hearts and will swim, run, play sports, sail- anything they want to do!

I also had a good old cry when I told them about Otto and promised them that Mummy and Daddy would teach them how special wild animals and companion animals are and one day we'll get another cat and a dog so they can learn all about different animals and temperaments and figure out how to love them all.

I explained to them that they are about to be born into super dooper extreme privilege and will be luckier than most people who have ever walked the Earth and that they have a responsibility to help people who don't have what they will and that Daddy and I will show them how good it feels to do that from a very early age so they will grow up to be gentle and responsible people.

And finally I told them about my Lola, the strong and fearless and loving Dida. I explained that they come from her genes- a mighty woman and a true survivor. I warned them that it's going to be a bit tough when they first come out into the world so early but they have Lola's genes, Mummy and Daddy's love, hundreds of years worth of first-world technology, and the experience and dedication of the best medical professionals, all at their disposal. I asked them to stay with me for as long as it is safe to do so but I also let them know we were ready for them at any time they feel ready.

It was a nice day and thank you very much to Heather for commenting on my last post to let me know that only a few moments or hours talking to baby(ies) can still be a very cathartic and important experience :)

Bags are packed...

Today I headed off to see my obs with only one thing on my mind- to beg for oral steroids. My PUPPP rashes and lumps exploded out of control last night and I was a sad and sorry person by my 12 o'clock appointment.

Basically my obs said no but told me I needed to go get more steroid injections at the hospital tomorrow and Saturday which should give me some relief again. "But why do I need more shots?" I asked. Because these babies are on the way, that's why!

A scan revealed that both babies are now head down (boy mouse was bum down last week- I knew something was different!) and very low. I measure over 44 weeks pregnant (11 months!) and my body is giving in. I've lost nearly two kilos in a week, my voice is hoarse (swollen vocal chords for no reason), my eyesight is really fuzzy, I have had several near faints from just walking around and I'm throwing up my food again (reflux). And now PUPPPs has taken the one thing I probably had left in my favour- a good sense of humour. My skin is so tender the babies' kicks feel like shards of glass poking in.

My doctor wouldn't do an internal exam today as he was sure it would set off labour. Instead he booked my coronary nurse, my anesthetist (who did my pre-op interview over the phone) and told me if I don't go into labour beforehand he'll induce these babies very early in the morning one day the week after next. So come hell or high water- they'll be here in two weeks or less. I could tell by the look on his face that he thinks an induction won't be necessary.

*insert shocked expression*

He said my PUPPPs is bad enough that he'll consider inducing me earlier so I don't lose my mind as the babies are big enough and old enough to survive and do well after a stint in an incubator. He explained that unless something unexpected presents itself, we'll be able to cuddle the babies after they are born, before they go into the special care nursery.

He told me to keep up the rest but to not go too OTT as the babies are on their way regardless. He then gave me a prescription for some wussy topical steroid cream (works for maybe 3ish hours) and antihistamines to help me sleep.

So of course today was entirely not what I'd hoped for but at the same time, I think it's going to be okay. Maybe it's the delirium talking but now I know the deal, I'm happy to just roll with it.

I hope my mice will be okay coming out so early (32-33.5 weeks) but for some reason I do feel like they're almost done baking. I was holding out for a week or two at the end where I wouldn't feel tired or sore or sick and I could maybe leave the apartment to have a coffee or stroll by the river with my belly buddies and maybe wear something half decent, and sing to them, and feel all lah-di-dah I'm such a happy pregnant lady... but I guess that wasn't ever going to happen given the way my body has coped with this pregnancy from day one.

I can do that in a few months with them in a stroller :)