24 Weeks: Viability

We have finally made it to 24 weeks! This is a huge milestone for quadruplet pregnancies. If the babies were born today, they would have a chance of survival. Of course the risks are still extremely high and the chance of the babies developing health problems is as well. Here is the information I have about the Critical Time Zones from my go-to book on multiples, When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads: Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy.

Weeks 20-24: The border of viability – Most babies born during this time zone do not survive. Those who do must remain hospitalized for many months. Their chances of experiencing permanent adverse health effects are high.

Weeks 25-28: Very early preterm for multiples – The odds of survival are better, but babies born during this period must still spend weeks or months in the NICU. They are at risk for long-term medical consequences.

Weeks 29-32: early preterm for multiples – Many triplets and quadruplets are born during this time zone. Although the babies typically remain in the hospital for several weeks, or more, the outlook is generally good.

Weeks 33-35: preterm for multiples – Twins are often born during this time period. If they are well grown, they generally spend a week or two in the hospital and are unlikely to experience any long-term serious effects of their early birth.

I know it all sounds scary, and it is, but I am just so happy to feel like we are in the ballgame now. Speaking of ballgame, this book, that I refer to constantly, relates the critical times zones to a football game.

“…we tell patients at the Multiples clinic to think of each of these times zones as a potential touchdown. The goal is to make your pregnancy last all the way through whatever time zone you are in now, add another touchdown to your score, and then stay in the game. The more touchdowns you get before you deliver, the more likely you are to win big in the end…”

I thought that was a great way of putting it. It helps having a goal week, reaching that and then setting a new one.

At our appointment today, the first thing they did was a blood glucose test. I, along with another pregnant lady with twins, split a bright orange drink that resembled a Sunkist. It was absolutely loaded with sugar, and I think we were both glad we didn’t have to drink the whole thing. We were told to report back to the lab in exactly an hour to make sure that I wasn’t developing gestational diabetes. After that, we were taken back to meet with the doctor. She checked me out and told me that everything was fine, but that at this point, I need to restrict my activity even more so. She also told me to closely monitor the contractions that are happening randomly in my uterus. She wants to make sure that they don’t start happening more than 3-4 times in an hour. After talking to her, we quickly had the babies’ heartbeats and fluid checked. It all looked perfect. I’m hoping that we’ll get an update on their weights next week. They only do it every 3 to 4 visits. I guess you get to see more growth that way.

Finally, we made it back to the lab and they pricked my finger to check my blood. Fortunately, the glucose tests came back fine. They did find that my iron levels were low, however. They took some blood and gave me a prescription for an iron supplement that should work everything out. The nurse told me that it wasn’t that surprising with so many babies soaking up my iron reserves. While doing research this afternoon on iron deficiency during pregnancy, I also found that restless legs can be a symptom of the problem! Maybe getting more iron will rid me of RLS that keeps me up so much in the night! Anyway, after my progesterone injection, a finger prick, blood being drawn, and a prescription for iron supplements, I’m back at home for another week to rest and cook the babies. 28 weeks here we come!!

Oh by the way, the open house went really well. Our realtor said it was the best one he had been to in six months. Right now, we have a couple of people who seemed interested so keep your fingers crossed. It would be great if we could sell our house sooner rather than later.

Thanks for all of your comments on the blog. I so enjoy reading them while I’m here at home.