Thursday, January 10, 2013

Monoamniotic twins - maybe it's time to write about this

This poor blog has missed out on so much. I have not been writing because we hadn't been sharing the biggest thing going on in our lives, but I decided that it is time to write about it. I can't wait until everything turns out ok, because if it doesn't, I may never be able to write about it. And whether or not things end up ok (and I really hope they do), we can use support from friends and family.

 I am nearly 22 weeks pregnant with monoamniotic mono chorionic twin girls. The exciting part: I am pregnant! We are really excited about the prospect of siblings for Riley. The terrifying part: mono mono or MoMo twins are an incredibly high risk pregnancy. The babies share a placenta and amniotic sack. This happens in only 1% of identical twin pregnancies. Because the babies are in the same sack, there is a risk of entangling in each others umbilical cords, or compressing each others cords and stopping blood flow. Because they share a placenta, there is a risk of twin to twin transfusion syndrome in which one twin takes more of the food and blood supply and the other stops growing, this can be bad for both babies.

We learned about the twins and their risky status when I was 13 or 14 weeks pregnant and the last eight weeks have been beyond challenging. I think the best word to describe this pregnancy is "excruciating". We never know if one or both the babies will be alive when we go in for weekly ultrasounds and there is nothing anyone can do to help. The last few weeks have been a bit better because I feel the babies move a lot now and it is reassuring, but my pulse still races when I lie down on the ultrasound table and wait for the doctor to confirm two heart beats and then wait more to see two tiny bodies that are hopefully not wrapped in umbilical cords. At the same time, we learned the babies are girls and we see them growing each week and can't help but to feel excited and optimistic about the possibilities.

I look like I am at least 8 months pregnant and I am only 5.5 months pregnant. It is hard to imagine getting this far and losing the babies, but we know it happens. When I reach 26 weeks in early February, I will check into the hospital for aggressive fetal monitoring where I will remain for hopefully 6 weeks when the babies will be born at 32 weeks. (And oh, how I will miss being home with Neil and Riley). If anything goes wrong before then, the babies will be born earlier. No matter what, we are going to have premature babies who will need a hospital stay before coming home.

I haven't even been able to give much thought to the twins part of this. TWINS!!! This is not what we planned or expected. None of this was in our plans, which shows you just how much stock one can put in plans. Each bit of news about this pregnancy was hard to digest, high risk, hospital stay away from my family, premature babies, a c-section for me...I think I am mostly at peace with it now, but it has not been easy to get here.

When Riley was born, I remember looking at him and thinking to myself what a miracle it was that everything went how it was supposed to and we ended up with this perfect little human. Each pregnancy is so remarkable. So many little things could go differently and we'd end up with different results, but so often people are lucky and healthy babies are born. This sounds so sappy, but it is true. We as humans are essentially powerless in this process. We just have to wait and hope for a miracle.

So I am beginning 2013 by praying for miracles. Two little miracles in particular. I hope you will join me. We can use all the positive vibes we can get. 

10 comments:

  1. Twins!! That still makes me quiver when i hear it yet I can't see my life with out them! I am praying for you and your family, I'm sure with prayer, great care and hope everything will work out Jodi. You are blessed with a great guy for a husband and if Riley is anything like Neil I'm sure he's as super. Just relax and be positive, I'm sending some New Mexico magic Ju-ju your way. Keep us updated! Dennis

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  2. B'sha'ah tovah Jodi! We're all hoping for the best for all of you! Thanks for sharing what your going through - I'm glad we can all help support you through this and beyond! - Sarah

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  3. Wow and til lykke! Mazel Tov on making it this far! (Enough languages for ya?) Lots of love and prayers going your way. Bette

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  4. So happy you decided to share with all so there can be EVEN MORE prayers, love and vibes heading your way!! You know we love you (all FIVE of you!) and have been excited and thrilled and anxious and nervous about our newest family members since the moment we heard. Look how far you've come!!! So proud of the family you are and all the adventures that you've taken on along the way. We love when we get the chance to be together. We wish we could give you hugs and take Riley to the park. We wish we could be there in person to keep you company and count down the days together. But the miles between us are no obstacle for the power of group love. And THAT you have free refills of! xoxoxo Felicia, Todd, Shawn & Britt

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  5. It is heart warming to read this and know you are ready to share the journey you have been on since learning you were pregnant. I know it's been hard to hold and develop the joy that often comes with pregnancy as you have watched cautiously in this tenuous time. My love and prayers have been constantly coming your way. I love you, Neil, and Riley so much and look forward to the next several months as, God willing, we bring THREE baby girls into this world. YES - Here's to miracles in 2013! Hugs and Kisses!

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  6. Happy to see you sharing your story. Babies are truly.a miracle ans in your situation even more so. Prayers and well wishes going your way for an uneventful healthy happy outcome!::

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  7. Big congrats with your pregnancy. That sounds both incredibly exciting (twins!) and totally stressful. I wish you all the best -- I'm also undergoing a high risk pregnancy, which without compare has been my hardest experience while living abroad. I hope you feel properly cared for by the doctors and experts in Copenhagen. That really means a lot. Best of luck from Boston

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  8. Unckie and I are so very excited for you, Neil and Riley and send all our love and prayers. Hoping that the pregnancy goes well and that two, healthy wonderful baby girls pop out of their healthy Mommy! We'd so like to share some time with you, but it just doesn't seem to be in big picture plan at the moment. But we think of you all the time and send love and best wishes. Here's to a wonderful 2013 and 3 new healthy baby girls in the family. It's just so exciting I just want to dance!! Love and kisses all over your kepee.

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  10. Hi! I have momo twin girls too! They are now 2 and a half and perfectly healthy! I wish you all the best in this scary time of this type of pregnancy!

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