Before the hospital...

What a joyous day! Here are a couple shots taken before we left to be induced at 6am 8/11/12...

Best day of our lives!

They are here :)

Our precious twins were born on 8/11/12. We are SO in love and can't keep thanking God for these beautiful gifts!

Hadley Quinn Ashley Davidson was born first at 5:55 pm weighing in at 6lb 7oz, 19.5 inches long.

Jack Henry Matthew Davidson was born one minute later at 5:56pm, weighing 6lbs 6oz, 19.5 inches long.

We are overwhelmed with joy in our new little family and will post much more soon:)

Bye bye belly :(

As ready as I am for these sweet babies to be born, I will have to say, I will really miss my belly. 

Here are some fun photos Luke has taken with his iphone over the past several weeks...

37 Weeks...

WOW! I can't believe this will be my LAST pregnancy update! It feels like I have been pregnant forever in ways and then it feels as if it FLEW by in other ways. It has been physically challenging these last few weeks (t0 say the least) but I am so thankful for such a GREAT pregnancy and to be carrying these sweet babies to full term!!!! God is GOOD!

We are scheduled for a 6am induction this Saturday, August the eleventh! Here is how our last appointment went...

We came in for an ultrasound first, which went well. The babies both scored perfectly on their biophysical exams again, but she did find that their fluid levels were even higher than last week (polyhydramnios). She just kept saying she couldn't believe that I hadn't started labor with these babies being so big and she said that this was the highest fluid levels she has seen in twins, in the 13 years she has been doing this. Yikes... We are just praying all goes smoothly during delivery, the doctor doesn't seem too concerned.
They then took my weight and blood pressure. Okay here it is... I gained 13 pounds in ONE WEEK!!! I knew that I had gained LOTS of fluid because my right leg is LITERALLY the size of an elephant. It is SO heavy, I can barley walk and it is so full of fluid that you can squish it down, and it just stays down. OUCH! I was shocked I gained 13 lbs in one week, and then the two weeks prior to that I had a combined gain of 10, so thats 23 lbs in THREE WEEKS! Fluid overload... I feel like im about to POP everywhere. I figured that with all this extra fluid, my blood pressure must be horrid, but it was just 128/88... high, especially for me but not considered pre-eclampsia.
I then saw my doctor, who we adore and even with the high pressure and fluid, he said we still had to wait until 38 weeks, which would be next Wednesday 8/15. I literally was SO MISERABLE that I asked if there was ANY way we could do it before. He said I would probably go before then, not to worry, and he stripped my membranes, according to wikepedia...
"Membrane sweep", also known as membrane stripping, during an internal examination, the midwife moves her finger around the cervix to stimulate and/or separate the membranes around the baby from the cervix. This causes a release of prostaglandins which can help to kick-start labor.)
It really didn't hurt, I just bled a bit and had some cramping later that day, and we thought it couldn't hurt to speed it up a bit! He told me I was almost fully effaced and 3cm dilated and hopefully I would go before next Wednesday.
He then left the room, while my husband and I were bummed we'd be waiting 8 more days. But then...

He popped back in the room and told us "not to leave yet." We were hopeful he'd come back with some good news, which is exactly what he did. He came back in and said "how is does this Saturday sound instead?" We of course were thrilled! I literally didn't know how I could physically do this anymore so getting 4 full days off of our wait was SUCH a relief! He got a 2nd opinion from the director of their practice, and said with the excess fluid on me, and the fact these are BIG twins and considered full term, they would do the induction early.
So there you have it... This Saturday 8/11/12 (unless I go before) will be the day we meet our babies :)

Physically here is what's happening...

SWOLLEN Belly, swollen legs and feet.

HEAVY HEAVY HEAVY belly, I can barely sit, stand or walk.

Back pain to the max. I have been seeing my amazing Chiropractor this whole pregnancy and I have had zero issues until these past 2 weeks, where even he can't fully relieve me.

Little to No sleep

And not to be tmi, but I started loosing my mucous plug today. (37 weeks and 1 day)

And really, just constant pain and discomfort. I have had a few teary, "I can't do this anymore" moments but still PRAISE JESUS for a long and wonderful pregnancy and I know it just 3 days, I will understand just how worth it it all was.

Nursery Reveal...

We can't wait to bring our little blessings home :) Here is their room...

Another post coming that explains the nursery a bit more and details of where I got things :)

36 Weeks

We made it! We are beyond thankful to have made it to this "goal week." There are times I didn't think we would ever get there, with fears of delivering prematurely and then times where I felt it was just so far away. Now here we are! We give ALL glory to God! What a great pregnancy this has been. It has had it challenges, physically, and I wouldn't be truthful if I didn't tell you that it is getting EXTREMELY hard. I can't seem to find a position that gives me any physical relief... standing, sitting, lying, you name it, nothing helps. It is beyond painful to sit up or roll out of bed. But I am reminded of how blessed I am to still be pregnant and I know that the end is so near. I can't begin to tell you how amazing Luke has been through this, he has been so helpful, supportive and sweet. I couldn't ask for a better husband through out this pregnancy. His joy for their arrival is precious and the way he has taken care of me both physically and emotionally  (I have had some "i cant do this anymore moments") has been beautiful. 
Our appointment went well this week, but I was definitely a bit discouraged to find that I am still 2 cm and 80, possibly 90% effaced. I was hoping for some progress because I am SO READY for these sweet babies to be born. I know the Lord knows their birthday already, and I have to just be patient for their arrival. This will be a great sharpening of my patience, and with our induction date set for August 15th, I know I only have 13 more days of this physical discomfort and pain. His timing is perfect and I will wait for His perfect plan to unfold. With that being said, If my water broke TONIGHT, I would be JOYFUL :) Here I am at 36 weeks...

Quick Update:

Position of babies: Still the same, Hadley head down and low in my pelvis, Jack Henry still transverse. Both babies have too much fluid in their amniotic sacs, we are continuing to pray there are no complications with that.

Sleep: Sleep is very uncomfortable and sporadic, I take any I can get

Cloths: I can now ONLY wear dresses. Nothin maternity has fit me for weeks.

Can't wait to... Meet our precious babies!

Coming next... Nursery reveal.

35 Weeks

YAY! We are just one week away (6 days actually) from our goal of 36 weeks! Full term twins! This past week started to get extremely uncomfortable and with each day that goes on, it is getting down right painful! I can't sit, as my belly has to go between my legs because it is so long but now is so wide that it really won't fit between my legs. Walking is an olympic sport and lying down is so painful from all of the weight I am carrying but again, I give THANKS  and PRAISE God for EVERY pain because I have two big growing babies inside me and I wouldn't change that for the world. I also know that the end is very near:)


This week at the doctor, the babies passed their biophysical exams with flying colors, Hadley is head down and Jack Henry is still transverse. Both babies fluid levels are high, which they will keep their eye on and for the best news...
I am 2cm dilated and 80% effaced! YAY! I am so thankful to be showing some progress! My ultrasound tech said she would be surprised to see me back on Tuesday and my doctor said I wouldn't make it all the way to 38 weeks, so we will see who is right. I think and hope I will make it until at least tuesday which will be 36 weeks! I haven't had any painful contractions, just Braxton Hicks.
Hadley is lower in my pelvis from last week even, and I feel the pressure there for sure. I gained 6 lbs in one week, I think it is the fluid! My right leg from my foot all the way to my thigh is full of fluid where I can push on it and my finger print will stay there for a while! Moo (my kitty) walked across my thigh today and I saw a paw print! yikes! My doctor said one leg was much bigger than the other due to the way the babies are laying. All this fluid has brought my weight gain to 55 lbs now. My blood pressure was 130/80 which is pretty high for me, but still within healthy range so no need for an induction yet. I am supposed to call my doctor when I start having painful contractions that are 6-7 mins apart. So now, we wait...

Stretch Marks? Yes, they are here! Lots!

Sleep? Not good at all. I am going to start taking Benadryl, hopefully that will help. 

Movement? They are getting more crowded in there so I can feel the rolling of elbows and knees more than punches or kicks.

Cravings? None really.

Gender? Boy and girl

Belly Button In or Out? Out, well now just FLAT, I can barley find it.

Symptoms: Swelling in my right leg and foot, and left foot swelling. Pressure down there and just discomfort. Also, my colostrum is in.

Best moment of the week? Finding out I have dilated and have thinned out.

What I am looking forward to: Making it to our next appointment (hopefully) Tuesday, July 31st.

34 Weeks

We are thrilled to say that we made it to our first "worst-best case scenario" goal. These babies have been viable for the past 10 weeks but chance of survival and a long NICU stay would have been two scary realities. Our doctor has said all along that once the babies get to 34 weeks, they tend to do very well. Obviously, the longer we can keep them growing inside of me, the better. They will be much better feeders the longer they are in me and just more mature and ready to be in this world. Our next goal is 36 weeks which is considered "full term twins" and then if I haven't gone into labor by 38 weeks, I will be induced. So as of today, I am 34 weeks and 3 days and have a MAXIMUM of 3 weeks and 4 days left. That is 24 days! WOW! 

Our doctors appointment went well. As you can see, I posted our big growing babies weights below which we were thrilled about! These are estimated weights and can be off by as much as a pound, but we will take it! Hadley is still head down and Jack Henry turned from head down to transverse again, but still a vaginal birth plan. They both scored perfect on their biophysical exams and Jack Henry's fluid is back to be considered high but they are just going to continue to monitor. I get swabbed next week for beta strep and will definitely begin cervical checks next week. We give all glory to God for such a wonderful pregnancy.

Nothing has really changed from last week, so I decided not to post my little "weekly fact" deal. I am feeling larger than life and we have or next appointment this tuesday, July 24th.

Would you please join me in praying for my friend Mandy? She is now 25 weeks pregnant with her twins and was admitted to the hospital earlier this week for pre-term labor. She will be staying in the hospital for the remainder of her pregnancy which we hope will be many many more weeks. 

We can't begin to thank you all enough for continuing to keep our family in your prayers after the loss of my husband's brother. We are feeling a peace that surpasses all understanding and watching the body of Christ come together has been just beautiful. We all have a giant whole in our hearts that won't ever be full again until we reunite with Matt and the Lord in eternal life. If this has taught our family anything it would be the URGENCY in having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We are not promised tomorrow and the only thing worth living for on this earth is Jesus. He is the way the truth and life and no one can go to the father except through him. He is aching to know you, won't you please give him your heart and walk with him daily in a life of obedience? 

33 Weeks

I had no idea that this would be the hardest week in our family's lives. I can't thank you enough for all of the prayers and love that you all have shown. When I have the strength and energy, I will be blogging all about my precious brother in law, Matt D. Will you please join in me in covering my sister in law, Ashley and her three young children in prayer? God has been so faithful throughout all of this and we will still trust Him, even when we don't understand. 
As far as the pregnancy goes, which seems trivial at this point....
We are praising God for normal fluid levels this week which also means no more blood sugar checks (which were all normal.)
Both babies got perfect scores on their biophysical exams. 
Both babies are still head down! So thankful.
The stress of the past few weeks have been difficult on my body but babies are still doing so well.
I go to the doctor tomorrow (tuesday) for my 34 week appointment where they may start cervical checks. We also have a growth scan tomorrow to see how big our sweet ones are.

Stretch Marks? Yes, they are here! Lots of tiny ones.

Sleep? Once I get to sleep, I do okay but getting to sleep is VERY uncomfortable. 

Movement? They are getting more crowded in there so I can feel the rolling of elbows and knees more than punches or kicks.

Cravings? None really.

Gender? Boy and girl

Belly Button In or Out? Out!

Symptoms: GIANT feet! Out of nowhere they have swollen up and they don't go down. Also, my belly is just getting so giant that I am usually uncomfortable all the time but praising God to still be carrying them this long.

Best moment of the week? Time with my precious family and just getting through this unspeakable tragedy together. 

What I am looking forward to: Our growth scan and biophysical is tomorrow. 

Quick Update for our 32 Week Appointment

Measuring: 42 weeks!


Babies positions: BOTH head down! Praise the Lord!


Biophysical test: This is the ultrasound where they check for breathing movements, fetal movements, amniotic fluid levels, muscle tone and heart rate. If the babies don't receive a perfect score, it means they could be in distress, and then you will be sent to the hospital for a non stress test. Thankfully, both babies received perfect scores :) 


My doctor was out of town, so I saw a different doctor today. When she came back to the room, she told me that there was too much fluid in the babies sacs (polyhydramnios.) She said that Hadley's was borderline but Jack Henry's was for sure too high (I don't know the exact number of how high, this is something I will ask next week.) She said the cause is usually unknown but can be related to gestational diabetes. I passed my glucola test earlier in my pregnancy but two appointments ago I had some glucose in my urine. I had just eaten that morning and my doctor said it was nothing to be concerned about because my kidneys were perfusing so much because of the twin pregnancy that after eating, I would tend to run high naturally but it had nothing to do with diabetes. I haven't had any glucose in my urine since. Because I have PCOS, my risk for gestational diabetes is higher, so to be sure I have to check my sugar four times a day, record them all, and bring the log back to the doctor next week where we would discuss further... I start all of this tomorrow. 
It seems like polyhydramnios is probably no big deal but it can increase your risk for Premature rupture of membranes and puts you at other risks for labor like cord prolapse and placental abruption. I know I am closely monitored and this is all in God's hands so I am choosing not to worry.


The plan... to monitor my levels weekly at my biophysical profiles. I go back next Thursday to check it all again, and I hope to find more out from my doctor and pray the fluid levels might go down by next week. 


We are so thankful that the babies don't seem to be concerned with these high levels and I will keep you posted next week. We want these babies to cook for another 4-6 weeks! 


Prayers would be appreciated. Thank you:)

32 Weeks

32 weeks has come! Another milestone, as I can now deliver at Mercy Hospital Fairfield, our intended hospital, which is a level 2 NICU rather than level 3. In fact, its really just a special care nursery. We are so thrilled knowing our babies would be okay if born now. Of course this is still VERY premature and they would probably have some respiratory issues as well as feeding issues so we want them cooking for another month at least. I am feeling HUGE! My belly is just getting so gigantic but I remind myself that I have two sweet blessings growing inside me and that the end is coming near. It is not "miserable" yet at all, just moments of discomfort. Again, this pregnancy has been a dream. 

Stretch Marks? Yes, I have seen a few more but again, still nothing horrible.

Sleep? This week sleep was better!

Movement? They are getting more crowded in there so I can feel the rolling of elbows and knees more than punches or kicks.

Cravings? I had a strawberry cream slush from SONIC with my sister in law that was AMAZING.

Gender? Boy and girl

Belly Button In or Out? Out!

Symptoms: I think the babies have dropped a tiny bit this week. At times, my feet are starting to swell pretty big. I just try to stay off of them and keep them propped and drink lots of water, it usually helps.

Best moment of the week? Family time.

What I am looking forward to: Our ultrasound and biophysical is in just a couple of hours! 

Also...

Prayers would be greatly appreciated. My brother in law, Matt, was hit in a head on collision on Tuesday. He broke his pelvis, and fractured a couple of vertebrae as well. He has traction going through his leg and is awaiting surgery. We originally thought surgery would take place Friday, now there is some talk that they may wait until next tuesday or wednesday. He is basically just lying in bed awaiting his surgery date so of course the sooner the better, as his wife has to juggle her three children and being with her husband too. We are so appreciative of all prayers. Prayers for complete healing, patience and peace. We give glory to God that he survived this accident and put our full trust in him. Here is a picture of the car he was in... 

31 Weeks

This week has been good. I have had some struggles getting to sleep at night and get very worn out very quickly no matter what I do, but the pregnancy still remains great. We went to the doctor on Wednesday and I am officially measuring 40 weeks! We also had a great ultrasound where it was estimated Jack Henry weighs 4 lbs 5 oz and Miss Hadley a close 4 lbs 6oz... BIG BABIES! And for the best news.... Hadley has flipped and is now officially head down! She was breech last time and as long as she is head down we can attempt a vaginal delivery! Jack Henry is laying sideways (transverse) across me, on top of Hadley (hopefully he will trap her there) There is still a chance they could change positions, but they are getting cramped in there, so the chance of moving around becomes less and less as the pregnancy progresses. We now will be going to the doctor weekly, and will be getting weekly ultrasounds and bio-physical profiles (I will explain more next week when I know more about those.) We got to see such a sweet and clear picture of Hadley at our last ultrasound, but this time the placenta and the chord were in front of her sweet little face. Last time, we couldn't get a great shot of Jack Henry and this time we got to see his PRECIOUS little face....

Maternity Clothes? YES!!

Stretch Marks? They have arrived. Still nothing horrible yet.

Sleep? Not good at all. Ribs aren't as sore this week but I am just very uncomfortable. 

Movement? Lots :) And Love every little move!

Cravings? Not really anything specific this week.

Gender? Boy and girl

Belly Button In or Out? Out!

Symptoms: Hard to get comfortable lying down, lungs can't fully expand. I have also gained 39 lbs!

Best moment of the week? Finding out Hadley is head down!

What I am looking forward to: Family time for the fourth, picking up our babies bedding which is now ready and our appointment on July 5th!