Harvick & Jarrett . Birth Announcement



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Harvick & Jarrett!!!

I had my "38 week" OB appointment on Wednesday, 05/04/2011.  Due to various risk factors increasing, my OB reccomended I stay at the hospital for an induction, rather than coming back on Friday for the one previously scheduled.  And, while I have said all along that I wanted to carry them as long as possible, I know when it is time to listen to the doctor!

After about 4 hours of labor, the boys were born:

Harvick Adam Hansen

10 pounds, 2 ounces

20.5 inches

3:33pm

Jarrett Harris Hansen

9 pounds, 1 ounce

21.5 inches

3:42pm

One last pregnancy picture.

Together right after being cleaned off.  Jarrett is on the left, Harvick on the right.

Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right.

Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right.

This picture is a bit skewed because of the angle - they aren't really that different in size.
Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right.

HOME!!!
Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right.

Of course, we had Heather Mickey come to the hospital on Thursday morning to take pictures of Harvick and Jarrett, as well as some "first family of 5" shots (she couldn't do the birth photos this time, due to me being required to deliver in the OR).  As soon as she puts some on her blog, I will be sure to post!

37 Week Update

Another OB appointment this morning. 

 

Both boys' heartbeats sound great.  As expected, my issues with swelling have continued to increase, but my blood pressure is still doing okay (up again a little this week - I'm now in the "high normal" range, but still considered okay).

 

No further dilation today - still at 4cm, and 60% effaced.

 

Of course, the boys could decide to make their debut at anytime, but my OB seems more confident this week that I will actually make it to next Friday.  The induction was scheduled, and I was even given an 8:00am appointment time for May 6.

 

So . . . 9 days (single digits now) at the max . . .

36 Week Update

Another OB appointment this morning. 

 

My OB didn't bother measuring me this time, since there is no concern about the babies being "big enough"; but, he did check the boys' heartbeats - both sound great.  My issues with swelling have continued to increase, but my blood pressure is still doing okay (up a little this week - 126/78, but still fine).

 

This morning I am dilated further - to 4cm, and am 60% effaced (when they induced me with Ryder, I was at just 3cm, and 80% effaced).  He's no longer making any guess about how much longer I'll make it.  He is comfortable with them coming at any time, and would induce me at my request.  So - we have scheduled an induction . . . May 6 is the official date (of course, unless they come sooner).  He isn't too confident I'll make it that far, but he doesn't feel the risks to my health and the babies are worth it past that point - I'll be 38 weeks, 2 days.

 

So . . . 16 days (max) . . .

34 Week Update

Another OB appointment this morning. 
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And, for the first time in the last several appointments, there is actually news!
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My OB measured me, and checked the boys' heartbeats.  My issues with swelling have increased (substantially), but my blood pressure is doing awesome.  This morning it was 112/70 - so good that they re-checked it to make sure they didn't do it incorrect the first time.  The swelling was a pre-cursor to the Pre-Eclampsia last time, but only because it was combined with increasing blood pressure and protein in my urine.  So far, with the absence of the second two "signs", I'm still considered in the clear!
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He checked to see if I was dialated . . . and . . . I'm at 2cm already.  I still haven't "dropped" all the way, so even though it sounds like I could go into labor right away, he still feels it'll be at least 2 weeks.  He even is "excusing" me from my appointment next week (I'm seeing the Perinatologist next Friday anyway), because all signs indicate everything is going well.
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He's not big on making estimations (remember, he didn't even want to make a guess at the twins' gender), but with my goal (May 6) in mind, he says that he really thinks I can get myself pretty close to that.  From today, I could deliver in as early as 7 days, with a max of 30 from now! 
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Oh . . . and, if you are interested, I had maternity pictures taken last week.  Heather posted one to her blog yesterday: Heather Mickey - Maternity Picture

Baby Shower!!!

31 Week Update

No real new news to report.  My doctor measured me, and checked the boys' heartbeats.  I have started to have issues with swelling, but he is not concerned, as my blood pressure remains "remarkably good", and no other signs of Pre-Eclampsia (the cause for the induction with Ryder).

 

He will be out of town the last week of the month, but has no other "out of office" plans until late summer.  It's nice knowing that he will be available when the babies are born!

 

Because of his time off, my next appointment is moved back a week, but he will no longer let me "get away" with fewer appointments - beginning in April, I will have to go in weekly to see him.  Really, though, compared to the "typical" schedule for a twin pregnancy, I have gotten away with much fewer appointments!

 

I see the Perinatologist tomorrow - that office also does Non-Stress Tests.  My doctor says they are oftentimes preformed weekly starting about now, but that he is comfortable with me not having any, unless there is a medical reason.  Of course, I'm also good with that plan - those tests are about 2 hours each, and are separate from other appointments.  Until there is any sign of concern, there really is no benefit to undergoing the extra evaluation.  Hopefully the Perinatologist will be on board with that plan too!

 

Finally, my doctor says that he is confident I will be able to carry the babies through "at least" mid-April, and into the end of the month.  He's not completely confident I will carry them to the 38 week mark (May 4), but I am confident I will - and, once I get that far, he would prefer to induce me within a couple of days.  My goal is May 6.  That's only 50 days away.  I can make it!

29 Week Update

Another doctor (just OB) appointment this morning. 

My OB no longer does ultrasounds at each appointment, as the boys' growth is being so closely monitored by the Perinatologists.  This is nice, in that I very much dislike the ultrasound goop that they use, but it is kind of fun to get a chance to see the babies.  From now on, my OB will just monitor my growth (it's never encouraging to hear that I am measuring bigger now than I did with Ryder at full-term.  I mean, I knew that I was, but to have an actual number confirm it a different thing).  Their heartbeats were also both sounding great.

I talked with my OB about my continued fatigue, and while that is expected with any pregnancy, and even more so with a multiple birth pregnancy, he recommended I start taking an iron supplement.  My blood tests indicate that my iron levels are still within a normal range, but are quite low for "my normal" iron levels - meaning, the boys are taking as much of it as they can, leaving me with just a little.  The iron isn't a "magic pill" as he was quick to point out, but should at least help the fatigue not worsen quickly.  Oh, and my blood pressure remains at an "optimal" level!

My OB confirmed some dates with me . . . once I hit 35 weeks (April 13), if I go into labor naturally, he will not likely stop me from progressing.  Anything previous to that date, he will do what he can to delay the labor.  Also, if I can make it to 38 weeks (May 4), he says that it will be up to me when I want to be induced - he does not want me to go much longer than that, but will "allow" me to, as long as the babies and I are doing okay still.  That means we still have at least 6 weeks to wait, but no more than 9ish weeks, until we can meet these boys!

Finally, Patrick and I talked with my OB about the Whooping Cough (Tdap) Vaccination (or booster).  Due to an increase in cases of Whooping Cough in the state, Utah Health Clinics is coming around to State Offices offering the vaccination to employees and covered dependents.  It is recommended for various groups of people, including those that will be in close contact with children, especially ages 12 months and younger.  My OB encouraged Patrick to receive the booster anytime, and for me to get it following delivery.  Patrick and I aren't asking each of you to get it, but if your employer or health insurance offers it (and covers it like ours does), feel free to get one!

25 Week Update

Another doctor appointment this morning.

Both boys are looking great.  My OB was very pleased that he could easily find both boys' heartbeats (apparently, at this stage, it because difficult to distinguish them because of their size and close quarters) - and both sounded perfect.  It was, again, another short appointment.  The one advantage of seeing my OB and a Perinatologist is that it makes my OB visits last only 10 or so minutes (however, the Perinatologist are at least an hour+).

I have started to have some water retention/swelling (sooner than with Ryder), but my blood pressure is remaining at an "optimal" level - today it was 116/62 - so, my OB isn't concerned yet.  I've been encouraged to put my feet up as often as possible, wear a "maternity belt" when standing for long periods of time, and just resting in general.

In the end, there is again no new news about the babies - just confirmation that everything is looking good overall.

I did have to take the first (of what may be a couple, just to be on the "safe side") glucose test this morning.  The lab should have my results available for my doctor tomorrow afternoon or Friday morning, and I will only hear from him if there is an issue.  Given my history with Ryder and the fact that I am carrying "full-size" twins, he suspects there may be an issue, but we're both still optimistic that I will be okay!

21 Week Update

Another doctor appointment this morning.

 

Both boys (I told the doctor to "feel free" to double check the genders - he could easily tell that both were boys) are looking great.  This appointment was the shortest I have had, by far.  Now that I will be seeing the Perinatologist in between my "regular" OB appointments, he will leave all the official measuring of the babies to them.  He easily saw both heartbeats, but we didn't measure them.

 

I was given the okay to take Tylenol Cold & Flu!!  Over the past few days, I've been feeling progressively worse, but have tried "treating" it with just Tylenol and Sudafed - he thinks the other might work better.  For good or bad, he will not consider antibiotics for another full week - hopefully, I'm feeling better by then.  The only good thing about losing my voice is that there are two trainings that I was going to have to be a part of tomorrow, that I will no longer have to present!

 

So, ultimately, this appointment yielded no new news about the babies - just confirmation of their genders, and that they are looking good.

 

Other than the sickness, I'm still feeling pretty good.  I definitely can feel the weight of the babies more and more - especially when I first stand up after sitting for any length of time.  But, yesterday marked only 4 months more to go - regardless, I will deliver these boys by May 4 - and, really, I can put up with anything for just 4 months!  Their movements have become noticeable consistently, and Patrick was even able to feel Baby "A".  Over the weekend, I was able to feel both babies moving at the same time - it was a weird feeling for sure.

Genders!!!

Yesterday was the "big" ultrasound to find out the genders of the twins!  Both babies were very cooperative/flashy, and we were able to tell within the first minute the gender of each!!!

 

 

It's a . . .

 

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BOY!!!  And, a . . .

 

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 BOY!!!

17 Week Update

Both babies are still looking great, and are measuring "a little big" for their ages, but the doctor assures me it is okay.  The measurement is really only as accurate as the steadiness of his hands using the ultrasound machine.  As long as they are within 5-7 days of what they are "supposed" to be, it is considered normal.

 

The heartbeats were lower again, which is normal - 158 and 162.

 

I convinced him to check the gender . . . and . . . no dice.  Twin "A" was moving around too much for Dr. Seale to get a clear view, and Twin "B" refused to cooperate.  Let's all pray they are in a good, cooperative mood on the 20th (just 12 more days to wait!!!)

 

I found out that I will not be allowed to have Heather (our photographer) be present for the birth, as she was last time.  Because I will be delivering in the OR, only Patrick will be allowed.  Major bummer.

 

My OB gave me the "all clear" to head out to San Diego, as long as I promise to make frequent stops to walk around for a minute or two.  I will, of course, follow his recommendation - and, I'm sure Patrick will be sure to enforce it.

13 Week Update

Both babies looked great, and measured perfect for their age!  They are both so big that you can no longer see them together on one ultrasound screen (which, I was assured is normal).  My OB had a hard time getting either baby's heartbeat because they were moving around so much - however, after some patience, he was able to get each of them - 170 and 164 (lower than previously, but still completely within the healthy range).  My OB reviewed the differences between Identical/Fraternal twins, and explained I have the "least high risk" of the 4 different options - but, I also have the one where it is impossible to know if they are Identical or Fraternal until they are born (unless we get confirmation one is a boy, and one is a girl).

The "gender ultrasound" has been scheduled for Monday, 12/20, so we have just under 6 more weeks to wait!

A couple other details about the delivery I found out, in case you were wondering . . .

- I am required to deliver in the Operating Room, whether I deliver vaginally or by C-section.  I will labor in the Laboring Room (same as last time), but will be moved when it is time to deliver.

- If Baby A is breech, I will be required to have a C-section.  If Baby A's head is down (regardless of which way they are facing), I can deliver vaginally - even if Baby B is breech.

- It is recommended that I have an epidural regardless - in case of a C-section.  However, I can choose not to have an epidural, but if either baby has to be delivered via C-section, I will be put completely out, and Patrick won't be able to be in the room.

Ryder . Announcement!!!