Dillan's Siblings - Are on Their Way into the World

We recently found out we are pregnant again, and we're having identical twins. I'm due April 23rd and we are very excited. I didn't know twins ran in my family, but we knew twins ran in John's family. They are sharing the placenta, but have two different sacs, so they must share food. I already had a cerclage after my 12th week and I'm on medication to stop the contractions, as well as progesterone this time.

For whatever reason, these babies will not allow me to eat according to my EPC food plan. They are kicking my butt. Whatever items I'm supposed to each, I can't eat and whatever foods I'm not supposed to eat, it's full speed ahead. I'm hoping that since I'm in my second trimester now, things will calm down and I'll be able to adjust my eating.

So far, I think Dillan knows something is happening, but doesn't know exactly what it is yet. He keeps playing with my navel and pushing my stomach. I guess he's wondering why is my stomach so big - it actually looks like I'm 5 months already, but I'm not even 4 months yet.

Talk to you later.

Tara

Dillan Ari Clinkscale was Born August 14, 2006

God is truly amazing. Dillan Ari Clinkscale was born August 14th at 8:50 am weighing 6 lbs 7 oz and 19 ". We are both doing well and I'm healing just fine from the C-section. I wanted to thank all of you for your prayers that we carry to full-term and have a healthy baby - God answered all of our prayers and I'm so grateful to Him for it.

On the day of the C-section I wasn't nervous, but anxious to see Dillan's face. After being prepped for surgery, I started feeling a little nervous, confined, heavy in the throat and tight in the chest. They said this was normal. I was waiting for John to come into the operating room, and when he did, I felt a little better. It didn't take that long to bring Dillan into the world, but I didn't get to see him immediately like they do on TV, they wiped him off first, weighed him, and made sure to take his footprints and fingerprints. At that point they handed him to John and he stayed with us until they finished removing the emergency cerglage that was put in at 5 months. We were able to take pictures in the OR. He was so adorable and handsome - I was totally amazed at the sight of my son. Dillan was born at 8:50 and it usually takes me a while to get back to normal after surgery. I was in the recovery room until after 3 pm, by then they decided to bring Dillan to me to hold him in my arms and he stayed with me and John until I got a room.

The day of the C-section, I initially needed help going to the bathroom, but afterwards, I didn't need any help at all - I was able to walk around by myself which was good for the healing process. Unfortunately I couldn't move my bowels, urinate or pass gas which would have been a sign that I can come home, so they gave me something for that and of course it didn't work - which is normal. By the next day, I was taking showers by myself and walking around the maternity ward to see Dillan in the nursery.

He was born with jaundice which I know is normal, but his levels were high and I was trying to breast feel him only, but the premilk wasn't enough, so I supplemented with soy milk and the levels came down. I used soy for a while, but now i'm strictly breast feeding, although he only likes to feed for 5/6 minutes, then I need to pump the rest and give it to him in a bottle. He was tested twice and his jaundice levels decreased and we were happy. He's now 8 lbs 15 1/4 oz and 20 1/4 inches long.

Now, about me - my body was so swollen from all the fluids they gave me while in the hospital. I felt and looked pretty good when I left the hospital, but soon afterwards, everything from right under my breast to my toes are 2 to 3 times larger - I feel like I'm carrying around a swimming pool and can't even swim. My doctor said the fluids are built up in my body and will eventually come out. I can barely walk at times because my legs, ankles, and feet are swollen. I'm hoping this will pass soon and I'll feel so much better. All in all, I had a pretty good experience and wouldn't change any of the events that led to Dillan's birth.

Now that it's been two weeks shy of two months that Dillan's been with us, I'm feeling much better. My weight is back to normal and I credit that to Ian Stoakes' EPC program. Before I got pregnant, I weighed 144 lbs and afterwards I weigh 149 lbs, and I only gained 24 lbs while pregnant - that's amazing.

I thank all of you for your prayers and wishes during the past year. The encouragement really helped.

Tara

Due Date - August 14, 2006

I'm finally at the end of my pregnancy with only seven more days to go. I'll be stopping the procardia on Friday, which means that I can go into labor at any time afterwards. Although this pregnancy has landed me in the bed for almost the entire duration, I've enjoyed my time with my baby to be. I've been journaling online and downloading my sonograms and pictures throughout my pregnancy, and it's been a miracle. This has been a wonderful journey into motherhood.

I washed all the baby's clothes and all other items needed for use, and I'm finally finished. We decided to use cloth diapers and I'm waiting for my supply so I can wash those and be prepared for use. My scheduled C-section will be on Monday, August 14th and we are so excited. I'm not sure what time I'm going in the hospital on Monday, but I hope it's early and I'll be somewhat alert so I can breast feed the baby after birth.

Finally - I'm in My Third Trimester

God is truly amazing. He knew just what I needed - rest and relaxation during this pregnancy. I am finally in my third trimester and I'm doing wonderful. I have no more contractions, and the medicine I'm taking is still helping to control them. I will continue taking it until my 37th or 39th week. There is absolutely no spotting and I thank God for that. I'm in my 32nd week, and a couple of weeks ago when I went to the doctor they monitored the baby's heart rate and activity - they couldn't believe how active this baby is, which by the way is just what John wanted (an active baby). My doctors said, the activity level and heart rate is as if the baby was at 34 weeks.

It's been an exciting adventure setting up the registries for the baby shower to come in about another month. Celebrating a new family member to be is great. We just purchased the coming home outfit and it's so little and cute. Every challenge, every adventure, and every stage of this pregnancy has been a wonderful time for me and I'm glad God allowed me the opportunity to experience life inside of me.

Comrie and Blanchette are wonderful doctors who believe that God blessed us with a miracle. We believe that too. We are so encouraged at the many prayers we received from so many of our friends and family members, including people from the EPC program, and from England who don't even know us, but knows Ian Stoakes, the biologist we work with. We wanted to let you guys know what's happening, as well as thank you all for your prayers and support. I’m still on bed rest and I'm still praying everyday that God allows me to make it until my scheduled C-section on August 14th. Thanks again for your continued prayers.

Embracing Challenges and Fighting with Prayers

Hey Guys,

God is truly amazing. He has been taking care of me, John, and the baby and I'm so grateful to Him for protecting my baby from all the dangers thus far. In spite of all the challenges, I'm enjoying every adventure of my pregnancy and cant wait until August to meet our baby. However, we still need your prayers daily.

Last Thursday I was rushed to labor and delivery because I was bleeding. Once my doctor examined me she realized that my cervix had dilated 1-2 centimeters and the sac and membranes were bulging out of the cervix, and I had an infection in my body. Because I'm just ending my 5th month I wouldn't feel any pain as contractions, but only a tightening or hardening of the stomach.

Comrie decided to admit me and give me antibiotics and another medicine to stop the contractions intravenously. A few hours later, she performed a cerclage, to prevent my baby from slipping out of my womb. She finally released me last night and I was happy to be going home. She says the surgery was successful and she was able to push things back into my body without a rupture, but we need to take it day by day, and pray that the baby stays put until I August or at least until my 28th weeks when it's safe to take the baby.

Our prayer is that God will allow me to carry until my 9th month and deliver a full-term baby. Unfortunately I'm on bed rest until August 14th (thank God the bathroom is in my bedroom). I will need to see her every week for an exam to make sure the baby is fine and I'm not having contractions.

Unfortunately Sunday March 30th I started having more contractions and went back to labor and delivery. My doctor gave me more medicine to control the contractions and a steroid intramuscular to advance the baby's lungs, which I need to get my second shot tomorrow, she also gave me two bags of saline by IV to support the womb. I was happy they checked the baby and the heart rate is still beating at a great rate and the baby is still moving around which is good.

Thank you for all of you for your thoughts and prayers.

John & Tara

Five Months Pregnant - Looking and Feeling Wonderful

I'm in my second trimester and loving it. Today, I'm 22 weeks pregnant and I feel good, although I've been sick since last Tuesday. I developed a sore throat, a cold, then the flu and it's kicking my hard, but in spite of being sick for the second time with the flu, I'm still enjoying my pregnancy. I've been going to the doctor's office every two weeks and usually can't wait to hear the baby's heart beat and know that all is well.

I just had my second level sonogram and saw the complete anatomy of the baby and it was great to get a chance to look into the eyes of my baby. The doctor said, I'm right on schedule and the baby is growing at a great pace. I enjoy knowing that I'm gaining weight and the baby is growing, and before you know it, I won't be able to see my feet. I've gained 13 lbs since the pregnancy and I think that's a good pace. With my last two pregnancies, I gained a lot of weight the first few weeks, so I'm pretty happy and credit my low gain weight to the EPC eating plan. The good news is, although I've only gained 13 lbs, my baby is healthy and I'm feeling rather wonderful.

Since I've been pregnant, I've been keeping a journal online at www.whattoexpect.com and it's so exciting. I'm able to log my milestones, my weight for the tracker, journal my thoughts, download pictures, and have a keepsake to show my baby one day. The site also e-mail me daily with a tip about the stage in my pregnancy and it's so cool. They give lots of advice about the pregnancy and offer wonder suggestions that I've found helpful. I must say, I'm really enjoying pregnancy and look forward to the next day's adventure.

I'm doing good with the EPC eating plan and watching what I eat, and making sure I take all my vitamins daily. I'm off bed rest and can get out of the house a little more. Now, I only see my doctor every three weeks instead of every two weeks. I haven't felt the baby kick just yet, but did feel air bubbles moving around and at night I can feel the baby move somewhat. I'm really looking forward to the baby giving me a few hard kicks all day long.

My blood pressure and sugar are good. I hadn't really had any major problems - no swollen feet or hands and I'm loving that. When I started the EPC eating plan, I lost so much weight that I was able to fit my original wedding band - prior to that my finger grew a complete size larger. Now, at 5 months pregnant, I can still fit my wedding band and the new band I purchased, I can't even wear it yet. I thought about sizing it, but don't want to make any drastic changes until after the pregnancy.

Thanks so much for the tip Branden. I really appreciate the encouragement from Terry and thanks to all who have been in my corner throughout this entire experience. A special thanks goes out to Ian Stoakes who is always there when I need him and to Andy who is just a jewel.