Bedrest...

We visited OSU for testing and treatment options for TTTS about a week and a half later (the longest wait of my life!)  I was almost 25 weeks at this point.  The babies were diagnosed with Stage 1 TTTS.  This was the best out of 5 stages.  They had good heart rates, you could still see the small baby's bladder (so we knew she wasn't dehydrated), you could still see the membrane separating the babies, small baby still had some fluid (at this point big baby just had too much), and both babies were measuring on the charts (small one at the 25th percentile weighing 1.2lbs and big one at the 65th percentile weighing 1.9 lbs).  These were all critical things they would look at at each appointment. The babies had a 33% weight difference.  Doc's like the difference to stay around 25% with smaller baby above the 10th percentile.  We currently met one of those criteria. 

There are two common treatments for TTTS.  The first is laser surgery to laser all connecting blood vessels of the babies so that they no longer share nutrients.  The second is an amnioreduction to drain fluid out of the big baby's sac to try to balance the babies.  I was not a candidate for laser surgery.  I was too far along in my pregnancy (must be under 24 weeks) and the TTTS wasn't bad enough (must be Stage 3 or higher).  I was not even a candidate for an amnioreduction because of the risks associated with that treatment.  Both treatments had high risks of causing disabilities or death of one or both babies.  Another less common "treatment" for TTTS is bedrest.  That's the route Doc wanted me to go.  There was no science that bedrest helped, but it keeps the bloodflow in and around the placenta which is what I needed for the small baby.  Doc is the top TTTS specialist in Columbus (and only 1 of 2 in Ohio) and had seen success with strict bedrest of non severe TTTS.  I was definitely willing to give it a shot!

Although I was happy I did not have to have an invasive treatment, our lives were about to change very quickly!  Mom was here watching Ella and 2 other girls I was babysitting that day, Morgan and Adelynn.  I came home, ate my "last meal" at the kitchen table for a while of Wendy's, and hit the couch!  I was on strict level 4 bedrest.  This meant going up and down the stairs once per day, laying on the couch once I get down, one 10 minute shower per day, eating laying down, etc.  This was my last day babysitting to say the least!  We would have to find someone to help care for Ella which is something I never thought we would have to do at this point. 

After about a week of trying to get used to our new routine and figure out how we were going to make things work, we came up with a schedule.  Family would come down and help us out Mondays/Tuesdays, Ella would go to a sitter Wednesdays/Thursdays, Paul would work from home on Fridays.  I got a referral of a fabulous cleaning lady from someone at church to help Paul out with that part of his new Mr. Mom gig.  I was put on bedrest a little over a week before Christmas.  We had Christmas down here with each of our families, not ideal but we made the best of it!  Mom has been down numerous times thus far, my MIL came down for a couple days, my friend Bethany came down for a couple days.  We have had a huge share of help from people.  Friends, family, and church family have brought us meals, snacks, books, magazines, movies, etc.  All in an effort to show their support, keep me busy, and Paul sane!  I have also received countless encouragement cards and letters that really show the thoughts and prayers that are going up for us.  We are truely blessed with such caring family and friends. 

Hanging out on the couch during bedrest

 The hardest part of bedrest is not being able to play with or care for Ella.  I have had countless meltdowns, but am hanging in there!  I can imagine this wouldn't be nearly as heartbreaking with no children.  But I can say I don't know how someone gets through all of this with no children to make them smile and warm their heart. 

As of my doctor appointment yesterday, 27 weeks, the babies have remained pretty much the same.  They are not better, not worse.  Small baby weighs 1.9lbs and big baby weighs 2.7lbs, still a 33% growth difference.  If they stay the same at this point, they will just try to get me through until about 32 weeks and then deliver the babies.  If either takes a turn for the worse, they will deliver since I am over 27 weeks.  I don't know that bedrest is helping, but at least it's not making things worse!  I can't imagine having such small babies and the risks that come along with preemies, but I am trusting that the Doc's are giving me the best care possible.  I got my first steroid shot yesteday to try to develop their lungs a bit.  I get another one today.  My goal is to get the babies to my birthday.  I will almost be 31 weeks at that point.  32 weeks sounds early to deliver if they remain the same, but Doc said they would have low chance of complications at that point and with a syndrome that can take a turn for the worse at any point, it would be better if they were outside than in. 

Oh, and now my cervix is shortening quickly.  It went from 27mm to 19mm from last week to this week.  So, preterm labor is now a high risk too.  Doc said my water could break at any time.  He said yesterday to be prepared at any appointment to go right to the hospital to deliver if they feel the need.  The treatment for preterm labor is bedrest...so more laying down for me!!  Doc keeps reminding me that one or both babies still may not make it due to any of these complications.  More than bedrest, we are praying like crazy and hoping that God has His healing hand on these little ones! 

We are not looking forward to each of the babies having a long NICU stay.  I am trying to prepare myself for what is ahead by talking with other preemie mommies, blogging, and looking at NICU pictures online.  I don't think we can be fully prepared, but I have heard it helps to do these things in advance.