Getting Better or so it seemed 12.31.12

We were still in stage 1, had almost made it to viability yeah! Had a wonderful 23+5 week appointment where twin A, Austin was 4.8 and Twin B, Ari was 7.0. The doctor said he thought that they were stabilizing  even used the words "turning into a normal pregnancy." We were so happy! This was on New Year's eve 12.31.12. Best start to the new year that we could hope for. I had been resting, taking great care of myself for the past 8 weeks and it was finally paying off. Ari had been working a lot harder than Austin and showed thickening in his heart but he was handling the extra work just fine. Austin had elevated UA doppler but it had come down to normal range.

Trip to UCSF Fetal Treatment Center 11.14.12

At 17 weeks, my doctor at OHSU sent me to UCSF to meet with their team to consult what they wanted to do with where we were at with TTTS. They found us to be in stage 1 which did not require surgery. Their opinion was a wait and see approach. While most women that are diagnosed early with TTTS progress into stage 2 with this and further with this disease, not all women do and there was a chance we would remain stable or even get better. That is what we were hoping for. I continued rest, protein, water, good nutrition and low stress. My husband took care of my son in the mornings and at night to make sure I was resting. He was amazing!

http://fetus.ucsfmedicalcenter.org/twin/twin_twin_transfusion.asp

TTTS Diagnosis 11.9.12

At 16+2 weeks, I found out my twins were affected by TTTS. It was confirmed that I was having identical twin boys! I say confirmed becuase I knew 100% that they were boys. I had a dream about them both early in my pregnancy. I also had a dream when I was pregnant with my son Luca that he was a boy. I loved the idea of three boys and I could not be happier about the news. I embraced it and welcomed it.  More info on TTTS found here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr0kyzuCY8A

Something like 1 in 5 identical twin pregnancies are affected by this. As soon as I found out I started researching TTTS. At 16 weeks, I was in stage 1. Visible bladders on both babies, Baby A, Austin, had fluid levels around .7 and Ari, Baby B had fluid at 4.5. I was terrified by what could happen to the babies so I started spending time resting more, drinking protein shakes, and drinking a ton of water and laying on my left side as much as possible. This is the regimen that they recommend for women whose babies have this.

Identical Twins 9.12.12

I am creating this blog mostly to update my family and friends but to also create a little bit of a diary about what I am feeling/worrying about on a daily basis so moms can know they are not alone. I found out at 8 weeks that I was pregnant with identical twins. I had always felt that I was meant for three children so when I found out I was ecstatic. I could not wait to have identical twins. I researched the psychological things about identical twins, watched any documentary on twins I could get my hands on, and started planning my life around three children. 

My Favorite Baby Items

I have wanted to create a list for mothers of very useful baby items that helped make my bonding experience with my baby better and/or helped made my life easier. I have researched and researched and tried and tried different items that will hopefully make your life easier too.

#1
My first Must Have Item is a FRONT Facing changing table.
Stokke Changing Table
http://www.stokke.com/en-us/nursery/stokke-care-changing-table.aspx
I think white is the best, neutral color if you do not know what you are having, tons of storage for toys, all diaper essentials, it can go with more than one child if you are having more than one and white is neutral enough and great for resale value. It also turns into a desk as the child grows up but what I like most is the front facing experience of changing your table. I have the best view of what I need to clean down there and I have a straight on view of my baby where I can see him smile and laugh ALL straight on! You have no idea how much better this is than changing your baby sideways and even though the table may be a bit shorter than your changing table that goes sideways 1) when your baby is really big you wont be using a table and 2) you can always lift their legs up which is what you need to do anyways. This company is great as well, one of the bins broke and they sent me a new one right away, no questions asked! If you don't get this front facing table, there are others on the market too!

#2
Bravado Designs  - The Essential Nursing Tank
http://www.bravadodesigns.com/shop/the-essential-nursing-tank
I bought and tried a lot of nursing bras/tanks. They all provided absolutely zero support for my 36 F/G breasts that I needed. Even if I was smaller, they were not providing any support. I was extremely disappointed because these bras were not cheap! I found the Bravado Nursing Tank at a specialty store and I fell in love. I bought more on amazon.com which by the way is my favorite place to shop for baby stuff and mama gear.
#3 
Nosefrida The Snotsucker Nasal Aspirator

http://www.amazon.com/Nosefrida-The-Snotsucker-Nasal-Aspirator/dp/B00171WXII/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359516474&sr=8-1&keywords=nasal+aspirator

If your baby gets a cold when they are little, the hospital gives you a bulb to try to suck our their snot so they can breathe better. Those things are a joke! First of all, they get dirty and how do you clean them--it is impossible! So there is tons of snot and germs in them that I find absolutely disgusting. 2nd of all, they don't work! I think they were probably invented 100 years ago. The Nosefrida is Swedish I believe and works like a charm to suck the snot out of your child's nose when they are sick. This aids in helping them breath easy. Every parent should have one. Best of all, it can be actually cleaned. 
#4
Wipe Warmer
http://www.target.com/p/munchkin-standard-wipe-warmer/-/A-10209875?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C10209875&CPNG=Baby&kpid=10209875&LID=PA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=10209875
As a parent, I was not sure if this was really necessary so I did not buy at first. Oh was I wrong! My son was born in December and once I got this, diaper changes became a lot less stressful. My son wasn't as unhappy and I was happy that he was not unhappy. I cannot stress this enough, get it! It is cheap and amazing and your child will be happy you did.
#5
PIGEON Baby Nose Cleaning Tweezers Pigeon (Made in Japan)

http://www.amazon.com/PIGEON-Cleaning-Tweezers-Pigeon-Japan/dp/B000FI0HUU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1359523421&sr=8-2&keywords=nose+pickers

This may seem stupid but baby get boogers too! Only becuase their nose is so tiny, it is impossible to get them out without really bothering them, With this perfect tool, you can get in and get out quickly--just make sure your careful so you don't poke your baby's brain. In one false swoop, you can get in and get that booger that may be making it hard for your baby to breath easy and your done. 

#6
SwaddlePod
http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Swaddlepod-Blue-Newborn/dp/B007QCOZHY/ref=br_it_dp_o_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=JNR71W8XUDSH&coliid=IMZF5V60AKB8M&psc=1
This is something you need! Rather than fussing with swaddling your baby, this does it all for you. I had the hardest time keeping my baby swaddled in the middle of the night without worrying that he would break it apart and then the blanket would somehow be over his face. This just zips right up and keeps your baby snuggled up and cozy and protected.