Week 34: Yin & Yang

This week, the Twinks were Yin and Yang - Baby A (on the right who was usually lying horizontal across my lower abdomen) is now head down near my right hip, feet up in my right ribs. Baby B is head up near my left ribs and feet bent in an "L" position under my belly button. Occasionally, I will feel movement under my belly button and suddenly let out a gasp because I am sensitive there. I am sure it has startled my husband on more than one occasion.

My stomach has grown yet again, but between last week and this week something changed because my entire belly suddenly became hard. I suspect they grew and it's getting cramped in there. My bladder has less room and, once again, the kicks are getting stronger to where you can see my belly move (but are still not painful in any way).

My weight stayed stable this week (don't understand how, considering I have still been carb-loading), blood pressure was still normal, no signs of contractions and I am still battling SEVERE morning sickness, back pain and exhaustion most days. It's all good though...since I know it will be over in a flash!

I woke up multiple times Monday / Tuesday night sick-to-my-stomach, and yesterday (Tuesday) I didn't even feel like getting out of bed (but I did make it to LabCorp to take another Heparin challenge test). Last night the nausea was so bad again that I made a midnight trip to the drugstore to pick up Unisom Sleep Aid, and that finally mitigated my nausea and let me get some sleep.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I still have not packed my hospital bag. Maybe I am in denial? Maybe just no energy? Not sure why...

I have a comprehensive ultrasound and Dr. visit scheduled for next Monday (October 24) where they will measure the babies, estimate their weight and give me a date for my c-section.

My Dad suggested I call the hospital to ask if I will have a private room after delivery and I said that I thought so - based on the hospital tour we took several months ago. Just to be sure, I called and talked to a wonderful woman named Carolyn who has worked in the Labor & Delivery unit for 35 years! I think she almost laughed when I asked - as she said "They don't do shared rooms anymore! Even Denver Health (where most of the women are on Medicaid) have private rooms." Good to know!

Epigenetics
Now that we're getting close to a delivery date, I have started to wonder what the Twinks will look like physically. As many of you know, we used donor eggs and only got to see childhood pictures - so I have no idea what our donor looks like today. Based on these pictures, she looks very much like my first cousin on my Mom's side, but bears little resemblance to me.

A long time ago, I started to read about Epigenetics - which basically says that even though the DNA is set as soon as the sperm fertilizes the egg, because the embryo was carried in my uterus - I have an influence on our children. In other words if, hypothetically, the donor had gotten naturally pregnant by my DH, the kids would be different.

As I did my search this time, I came across Dr. Paul Knoepfler's post about stem cell Epigenetics that puts it in "layman's" terms:

http://www.ipscell.com/2011/09/a-laymans-guide-to-stem-cell-epigenetics-if-you-dont-understand-epigenetics-you-dont-understand-stem-cells/

In addition, I e-mailed him to ask his opinion:

Hi Dr. Knoepfler,
I am an IVF patient. My husband and I used donor eggs due to my age (43) and we are due soon with twins. We are over the moon excited!

In doing a search on Epigenetics, I came across your blog. Thank you for your research and contributions to our medical community. Maybe someday no couple will have to go through the difficulty and disappointment we did until these two miracle babies finally stuck!

I was curious, have you written any blog posts or done any research on how you think me carrying the fertilized embryos in my body could have influenced these babies vs if the donor had carried them in her body?

I realize the basic genetic makeup is what it is, but do you think my body has any influence at all?

Thanks,
Flygirl

Here is his response:

Hi Flygirl,

Congratulations on your pregnancy! These are great questions.

I think there is no doubt that epigenetics plays a huge role in every aspect of human development and health. What this means is that while there is a powerful genetic element to how babies develop, the environment in which a baby develops makes a tremendous difference too.

Another way to put it is that by your carrying these babies in your body you will have definitely put your own motherly "stamp" of influence on them that lasts a lifetime.

This influence can include things related to your diet, your overall health, your physiology, etc.

Scientists also think that there can sometimes be an exchange between mother and baby in utero of cells. What this means is not understood but I always thought it was kind of intriguing in a way that mother and child may swap a few cells. I think this happens more often from the child to the mother...so you can think that most likely you will always carry some of your child literally inside of you by having carried the baby yourself.

Take care,
Paul
 
So, there you have it. If they're anything like me, sugar will be addictive - worse than what I imagine crack cocaine to be, they will have a good balance between their logic and creativity, they will be a bit emotional and have a strong sense of integrity.