28 Weeks-Half Way Mark

This week has proved to be as frustrating as it has a success. We have made it to 28 weeks which is a pretty significant milestone. According to the March of Dimes, 96% of babies born after 28 weeks survive and are at a lower risk for developing long term neurological problems It is important, though, that the girls stay in as long as possible for the best possible outcome. Even if they make it to 32 weeks, which is our goal, they are still considered extremely premature and will need a lot of help in the NICU. Talking to my doctor, he is convinced by his 20 years of encountering Momo twins that constant monitoring and taking them at 32 weeks produces the best and safest outcomes, and I am inclined to agree with him from the extensive studying I have done in this area. During my ultrasound on Monday, I noticed that the technician didn't really spend much time looking at the cords. This raised a lot of concern in my mind, and I brought it up to one of my doctors on Tuesday. Wednesday the doctor took me back to the ultrasound to check on the status of the cords herself. We noticed that they were all tangled together, which made me nervous enough seeing it for myself. Today my other doctor told me that they did find one true knot in the cords, possibly two. What does that mean exactly? We keep doing what we are doing. I am on the monitors pretty much 24/7, and the nurses are diligent in watching the heart rates to observe any major decelerations or accelerations that would raise concern. The babies base line heart rates have in fact lowered since I was first admitted but not enough at this point to make the doctors too nervous. If they lower anymore though, I will be moved to labor and delivery to continue my monitoring there in case of an emergency that way I will be that much closer to the OR if God forbid that becomes a necessity. As well as the twins have been doing, we have to remember that this is an unnatural situation that has the potential to turn volatile at any moment. This reminds me and continually maintains my resolve in having the monitors on and laying here in bed. My girls and I are fighting a battle of inevitability, and we are determined to come out of it victorious. Right now I am just trying to maintain my anxiety and keep my stress levels under control. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I will update more soon.