Monday, January 22, 2007

The Best News

I hate to give away the ending of a good story, but here it is: Amnio results are back and both babies are fine! This was the best news, and a nice counterpoint to the worst news ever (cysts on the brain). A nice bookend to a rather harrowing and worry-filled eleven days .

How I got the news was, of course, a little stressful. I had my regular doctor’s appointment this morning in the hospital at 9. When I got there, I called the genetic counselor and left a message, telling her that I was in the building (her office is in the hospital too) and asking if the results were in yet.

And then I met with my doctor. Both babies are moving and their little hearts are beating. They both changed their location, and are now in breech position. And, I found out, I have an anterior placenta for both, which means the placenta is like a pillow between my stomach and the babies, which further means that I won’t be feeling any kicks with any regularity any time soon. My cervix is measuring nice and long, and everything else seems to be in fine order. My blood pressure has hit a new all-time low: 74 over 60. This explains why I have felt so dizzy and tired and lethargic the past five or six days.

So then I walk (walk might be an over-statement; it was actually a very, very slow amble) over to Whole Foods and pick up a few things. I am waiting on that huge line, trying to balance an unwieldy bunch of broccoli rabe, a giant container of yogurt, another giant container of sour pickles and ricotta cheese. And then I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, which I currently can’t access due to all of the things I am balancing in my hands. I manage to shuffle things around just and pick up the phone right before it goes to voice mail. Then, of course, it is my turn, and after waiting for 5 minutes on line, I don’t want to give up my spot (what was I thinking?) so I try to mange the phone call from the genetics counselor, take directions from the Check Out Traffic Director and pay at the same time.

While the register attendant was asking me way too complex questions like credit or debit or cash back, I was trying to speak with the GC. She asked me if I was still in the hospital, which scared the sh*t out of me. Does she want me to come to the office for bad news? Do she need to explain things in person? Is this report going to involve diagrams? I tell her in an increasingly panicky voice that I have left already and without much further ado, she just blurts it all out. The final results are in and both babies are fine. I was so happy and relieved and exhausted and grateful. No offense to the GC, but I hope that is my last phone call from her ever.

I got off the phone and apologized to the register attendant and then packed up the groceries in my bag. I managed to text Nicole the good news before I made it to the top of the escalator.

To celebrate, I am thinking about mustering up the energy to drag myself down to Chelsea to try Pinkberry Yogurt. Does anyone know anything about this place? I hear it’s all the rage on the West Coast, and I keep reading how beloved this yogurt is. Is it worth the energy? Remember, I am really tired!

Pictured above is me at 19 weeks. I discovered that if you do a google search for belly pictures of pregnant women, you might turn up some very pornographic results, so here’s hoping I don’t turn up in some dirty search. But this is what almost five months with twins looks like. My expression is animated, as I am explaining to Nicole my latest embarrassing pregnancy side effect. And those little things I am holding are the $4 onesies I bought. Yep, nothing but the finest for our girls.

15 comments:

Carey said...

Yeah!!!!! Wonderful news about the babies! :) I have no idea what Pinkberry Yogurt is... so I am no help to you there.

lagiulia said...

Yay! So good to hear the babies are well. Also, you look really great for being that far along with twins. Rest up and enjoy the yogurt if you ever make it down there!

Anonymous said...

I am SO happy for you. And SO glad this is over. I hope they start kicking you like mad. Or butting you with their little breech butts. Yay! Yay! Yay!

Anonymous said...

Yeah!!!!!!!!! Fantastic news. Congratulations...

Anonymous said...

Yeah Happy News!!!! I'm so happy for you.

Anonymous said...

SUCH GREAT NEWS.
Congratulations on your healthy girls.

Sophia said...

yayayayyayay and you lookk beautiful!

whatthef*ck said...

yay for good news! aren't you a little (okay getting big) hottie! i actually think 'm going to post a belly shot. my belly is fucking huge for 19 weeks. it's ridiculous really. congrats about the good results. i still think those pops are kicks regardless of the position, unless they are gas but i am guessing you have already considered that. did you get a doppler?

Anonymous said...

congrats on the best news!

Targetgirl said...

Hooray! What wonderful news. Glad you got it today and the torturous wait is over.

Melinda said...

Yayyy! I've been obsessively checking your site hoping to hear this exact news. Congrats!

Steph said...

What great news!!! I'm so glad that things are finally looking up for you. BTW - I love the belly shot! It's the first real pregnancy pic I've seen of you (I didn't buy the whole Jabba the Hut picture - you looked normal to me).

Tamsin said...

Hooray for the good news! Hope that you can put this stressful time behind you and start to enjoy the pregnancy, especially as you start to feel the girls moving more. I'm also sure that those pops are movement you're feeling, despite the anterior placentas/placentae (?!).
Looking good in your picture!

psapph0 said...

Congrats to all of ya! If you really want only the finest for your girls, we can go check out WalMart when you're up here... its right up the street!

Calliope said...

FANTASTIC news!!!!!!!
wooooo hoooooooo!!!!