34 Weeks

Eeek! One month from today (possibly sooner) we get to see what these two little peanuts look like! As I mentioned this weekend, Baby B flipped and is now in a head down position. This was great news, twins who are head down can be delivered naturally. I realize this isn't a sure thing, the babies still have time to change positions before labor and Baby B still may change positions after her brother has been delivered. If Baby B changes positions after delivery they will try to turn her externally and/or internally. As long as she tolerates this, we can proceed with a vaginal delivery for her as well. There is a chance that I would need a c-section with the second baby, but the odds have gone down for that as long as she stays head down.

I have had 3 un-medicated births with my own children and would love to be able to do this again with the twins. My reason for wanting an un-medicated birth include;
1. The babies won't have a chance of suffering side effects of the drugs.
2. There's less of a chance for an unnecessary c-section (sometimes epidurals cause the person in labor's blood pressure and/or heart rate to fluctuate in an unhealthy way and sometimes the babies don't tolerate the epidural well with fluctuating heart-rates)
3. Not having an epidural means the woman in labor can be mobile...laying on your back can cause labor to stop progressing. Changing positions, walking around and being in the tub helped my first 3 labors to go quickly and smoothly with no complications.

I don't have anything against epidurals, in fact, I have said for all 3 labors that I have already been through, that I would be open to one if I felt like I couldn't manage my pain and if labor lasted longer than I felt I could handle. I would never judge anyone else for getting an epidural, just as I wouldn't expect to be judged for not getting one.

I also hope and pray for a vaginal delivery because of the benefits for the babies.
1. When babies are born vaginally they have less chance for respiratory problems because the pressure expels the amniotic fluid in the babies' lungs.
2.  When babies are born vaginally they pick up a protective bacteria that they ingest. This bacteria colonizes in their intestines and forms a balanced immune system as they develop from childhood into adulthood. (americanpregnancy.org)

Also there is a lower rate of maternal mortality and less recovery time- both sound good to me :-)


We found out that the babies are just under 4lb each (3lb 12oz and 3lb 14oz), these measurements are approximate, based on the ultrasound, they have grown nearly one pound in the last 4 weeks. The perinatologist said that this was perfectly fine growth and based on genetics they just might not be very big babies. I'm hoping to keep them growing for at least a few more weeks and get them up to 5 pounds a piece. I am hoping they can avoid NICU time and be ready to go home soon after their birth. Only time will tell when these two will make their grand entrance!