22 Weeks

We had another successful appointment today!

The babies' heart rates are all well within the normal range - between 141 -160. They were all active and mobile - gearing up for their tag team wrestling matches, I'm sure. :) Space is at a premium in there, which makes it difficult to get good photos. We came home with a handful, but it's very difficult to tell what's what - even after the tech explained what we were seeing.

After the ultrasound tech (her name is Lori) did what she needed to do, she turned the screen so Tim and I could watch the action for a minute. We got to watch one of the boys give a good kick on the screen - while seeing the same movement in my belly. Way cool. We all said "Did you see that?!" And Tim added, "He gave you a good one!" :) He certainly did! It was amazing to see what they're doing in there to make those movements visible from the outside.

My glucose test for gestational diabetes came back normal - so that's good news. I don't have to give up chocolate or Ben & Jerry's ice cream. :) Dr. Donald did say that my hemoglobin is low, so he's added an iron supplement to my regimen. Evidently, when your blood supply doubles to provide for 4 babies, your hemoglobin gets dilluted in the additional blood volume. So taking the supplement will boost the level back up where it should be.

Dr. Donald also asked if I had experienced any contractions. I admitted that over the last 2 weeks, I've noted 3. Each of them happened after doing something I shouldn't have been doing in the first place - like pushing a 30-lb box on a shelf or bending over repeatedly to get clothes out of the dryer. So I've added those activities to the growing list of things I won't do any more. But because the contractions were few and far between - and each had a specific reason for happening - the doctor wasn't concerned. He encouraged more fluids and rest - as these will help avoid any further contractions. And he of course agreed that I shouldn't do those things any more. :)

So given all this, and even considering the fact that I'm inching ever closer to full-term size, I've been granted another "2-week pass"! No bed rest yet. More fluids, more rest, avoid any strenuous (read: stupid) activities and keep eating. We go back in about 2 weeks - on February 20. At that appointment, they'll measure my cervical length and also measure the babies' growth. We should have over 4 pounds of baby by then!

Thank you again to everyone for all your prayers and support!
Love,
Kristin & Tim