For MOMs by MOMs: Pregnancy

Another instalment of the MOMs linkup. Enjoy!

20.5 weeks pregnant with twins

My pregnancy showed me that Heavenly Father not only has perfect timing and a perfect knowledge of our circumstances, but also a pretty boss sense of humor which he uses to reveal himself in our lives. Prior to being pregnant with my twins I had wanted to be a mom for a long time. I had openly and often wished for triplets in my 20s. Everyone told me I was completely insane, and while I understood their concern I quietly wished for the opportunity to eat my words. As my first marriage fell apart towards the end of my 20s I lamented that I might never have kids. Going through the absolute dump truck of a situation of my divorce humbled me and brought my desires for my future into clear focus. When I met and married Nick we wasted no time in trying to start a family.

We tried to get pregnant for 9 months before it happened. There were a few months of the normal stuff, followed by a few months of the taking-my-temperature, ovulation-kit, etc etc etc trying. When I was able to conceive on my own I was thrilled. At my first pregnancy appointment my doctor did an ultrasound to date the pregnancy. Immediately she said "I have to tell you something and I need you to brace yourself." I was terrified that I had lost the pregnancy. She proceeded to tell me that I was expecting twins and that the babies were in their own sacs with great heartbeats. My shock coupled with relief that I hadn't lost the pregnancy produced buckets of tears for the next 5 minutes. I pulled myself together to call Nick and share the shocking news. I had joked earlier in the week that it would be "hilarious" if we were expecting twins. Nick said "It's a good thing we're not, because I can't handle that." See? Sense of humor.

I really enjoyed being pregnant and I had almost no complaints until near the end. No morning sickness, just a touch of heartburn. I felt the babies move for the first time around 17 weeks. I received tons of ultrasounds to monitor my cervix and then check the twins for growth every 2-4 weeks. It was awesome. I developed gestational diabetes, but it was not severe and was easily managed through diet. At 31 weeks 4 days (I think) I started showing signs of preeclampsia and preterm labor. My doctor put me on bed rest. I lasted 3 more weeks, which was pretty much just the break that I required prior to my kids showing up. At the very end I started to get uncomfortable and I delivered via c-section at 34 weeks 6 days due to preeclampsia. You can get the full scoop on my birth story at pregtastic.com. The boys stayed in the NICU for 13 (Asher) and 15 (Judah) days.

Those tears that turned on like a faucet when I learned that I was expecting twins haven't stopped. I love love love my kids and being a mom. I am reduced to tears of joy almost daily when I look at their sweet faces, which makes complete sense when I consider the following:

The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude.   Joseph B. Wirthlin

I consider my kids to be a blessing from an understanding and loving God through the Principle of Compensation. Going through a divorce sucked out loud and I hated every minute of it. Now, only a few years later I feel like I'm living a charmed life.