MoDi Twins

We found out some great news when we went for my ultrasound today! The doctor saw that there was a slight division between the 2 twins. They are still in the same placenta (meaning they are identical), but he was able to see today that they are actually in 2 different amniotic sacs. He was not able to see this previously because the sacs are fused (attached to one another), which made it hard to tell there were 2 different ones until they got bigger. The great news is that now we don't have to worry about them getting entangled in each others' cords since they have their own space within the placenta that they share. This type of twins (1 placenta, 2 amniotic sacs) are called: Monochorionic-Diamniotic Twins or MoDi for short.

Here's what MoMo Twins look like (what we thought the twins were previously):
*Share the same placenta (the red) and amniotic sac

Here's what MoDi twins look like (what we found out the twins were this week):
*Share the same placenta, but have different amniotic sacs...our twin girls have fused (attached) sacs just like the ones shown in the picture

BED REST!!!

Here's the report from the doctor visit today:

Basically, the doctor told me to lay on my side from here on out unless I am coming in to see him for an appointment. He said that I was 80% effaced, which means that the babies are wanting to come sooner than we want them to. I was having some contractions already as well, so he put me on some medicine to stop those and I am also going to be getting shots of progesterone to help with it. The medicine is no fun...causes shakiness and increases heart rate, but he said that after I have taken it for awhile and my body is used to it, that will all calm down.

The doctor said the babies would be fine if they came now, but of course we want them to stay as long as possible (less time in neonatal, gain more weight, etc...). He is aiming for Oct. 25 or so. I would be around 36 weeks at that point.

My next ultrasound is this Thursday, so maybe we will have more pics. to share at that point!

Belly Pic - 30 weeks

29 Weeks!

I went to the baby doctor today and had a good report on Alyssa & Katelyn! The doctor said that they are growing at a good rate, the amount of amniotic fluid is normal, their heartbeats sounded great, and their cords are not tangled (the best news you can hear with my type of pregnancy). Thanks to everyone who has been lifting them up in prayer and please continue to do so!

I received my last steroid shot today to help with the development of our twin girls. The doctor is still aiming for around 35 - 37 weeks to do a C-section (possibly mid-October). He told me today that his only concern right now is that my cervix is shorter than it should be at this point. He said it should be around 4 cm and mine is only 2.8 cm. A shortened cervix can lead to premature labor, so he has told me to stay at home and rest more and basically not do anything around the house. Please pray that it does not shorten anymore and that the babies will be able to stay in the womb for their development as long as possible.

Here's a picture from a 4D Ultrasound that they did today. They were only able to get a photo of one of their faces because of the way that the babies were turned at the time, but I think it is safe to say that the other one looks about the same since they are identical! Looks like the girls are going to have a nose like their Daddy!