First ultrasound

Around 6 weeks, I called my midwife's office to cancel my annual exam and to schedule my first prenatal appointment. I was planning on waiting until after January 1 for the appointment, so I wouldn't have to pay towards my deductible in 2008 and then have to start over in 2009. Liz likes to wait until 10-12 weeks gestation anyway because the odds of hearing the heartbeat are better that way. I was surprised, then, when Kim, the scheduler, said, "We like to schedule an early ultrasound around 8 weeks." I'd had both girls with this practice and they'd never offered an early U/S before, but, hey, I'd love to see my baby. Let's do it. I decided I better make the appointment when Chris could go because, God forbid, I would be devastated to get bad news and be alone. We were set for December 11, one month past the day I discovered I was expecting.

During the next few weeks, I began feeling more and more nauseous. My belly seemed to pop out overnight. I even had to start wearing maternity pants because my regular ones were too uncomfortable. I also started feeling ligament pain, which usually occurs late in pregnancy as the uterus is really stretched to its limits. When I mentioned the ligament pain to a friend, she joked, "Maybe it's twins." Oh, sure. Twins. Ha Ha! But the idea slowly began to grow on me. If I have twins I won't have to worry about deciding VBAC or another c-section. It'll be a no-brainer to have another c-section with no guilt or grief. And, I'll get two babies for one surgery. I've been worrying how I would ever get to four or five children having surgeries each time. Twins? It'll never happen. No way. No how.

A few nights before my appointment, Chris, the girls and I were laying in bed discussing baby names. Emma contributed Lion King and Emma as options. We asked her whether she wanted a girl or a boy to which she replied we were getting a girl and a boy. "Nooo," Chris laughed, "there better not be."

We arrived at the appointment on time with both girls in tow. We were going to get to see our baby. The tech reminded me this would be a vaginal scan--yuck--but yes, I knew what to expect. I got undressed and she returned. The first words out of her mouth when she began the exam were, "Oh, my." Chris: "Is that what I think it is?" Tech: "Two babies." Me: "No way. It can't be. Are you serious? Two babies. There are two babies! Praise God! Two babies. Are they okay?" Chris: silence. Emma: silence. Me: disbelief and giddiness. Two babies. Two heartbeats. Two sacs. Wow!




The tech printed some pictures for us and left to tell Liz. I had to call Mom. She was stunned to say the least. Chris left with the girls so they wouldn't have to sit through the rest of my appointment. I called Anna Chasteen while waiting. She was the first one to jokingly suggest the possibility. She couldn't believe it.

Liz came in and was pretty sober, warning me of all the dangers of a multiple pregnancy: steroid injection at 28 weeks to ensure mature lungs, bed rest likely by the end of April, and no chance of traveling to Derek and Mariel's wedding or Justin and Jordan's graduation in May. I left feeling deflated and anxious. I called Barbara next who joined in my giddiness. She was very encouraging and made me feel tons better. Chris called his dad at work and got, "You're kidding." "No," Chris said, "that's not something I'd joke about." His mom was subbing that day, but he called her cell anyway and got the exact same response that his dad had given. Later in the day I called Anna Talcott who is due the day before me and has with every pregnancy thought two babies for one pregnancy would be great. She couldn't believe it had actually happened to us. I then updated my Facebook status to "Michelle is overjoyed to be expecting Baby #3...and Baby #4!" and the word was out. We're having twins!

Many have asked if twins run in my family, and the answer is yes. My maternal grandma was a twin, though her brother didn't make it. She also delivered twins, a boy and girl, who both died at birth or soon after. My mom's oldest sister has twins, a cousin has twin girls, and my sister has twin boys. I wonder if Emma's prediction of a girl and a boy is true. As she aptly told someone the other day, "We'll take whatever God gives us!"

Yes, we feel very overwhelmed but are so excited by God's providence. I really do get two babies for the price of one surgery. These babies are such a blessing. We can't wait to meet them and discover what joys they will bring to our family.