UPDATE #6: The TWINS are going FULL TERM!

UPDATE 6:

From: George Bockwinkel

Date: April 12, 2011 8:07:05 AM CDT

To: Rick Bockwinkel

Subject: The MN Twins-Update

Rick, Sarah celebrated 37 weeks of pregnancy this past Sunday and had a check up on yesterday. Hard to imagine that 8 weeks ago, everyone was asked to pray to keep those twin girls "in" a little longer. Those prayers certainly were answered. Now we can say prayers of "thanks" for prayers answered and request prayers of comfort for Sarah (and James) and for a timely and safe delivery. While they did not doing any measuring of the twins on yesterday's visit, recall a few weeks ago, they were 5 lbs 4 oz. and 5 lbs. 14oz. and both in the head down position. James'  message pretty much sums it up. "Thank you for the prayers.  Sarah is pretty much uncomfortable all the time, so she's about right where she should be in the pregnancy.  Now, if this comes to a natural end sooner rather than later, we would really be beholden to all those praying for us... :-)

UPDATE 5:

On Friday, the Jr. Bockwinkels called us on our drive to Tampa. All is well. Baby A now weighs 5 lbs. 10 oz. while Baby B weighs a mere 5 lbs. 4 oz. Both are still "head down", BUT Baby B now has the fast track and pole position. While A was eating and growing, B was using all her energy and time to take over the pole position. Both babies have working organs like the stomachs, lungs. Doctor said Sarah was a 60-70% chance for a "V" delivery. He could not have been more elated with her status. This Sunday will be 35 Weeks. They have come a long wiay from the troubled days of Week 29. Growth through prayer works!

UPDATE 4:

Sarah had a routine visit with her OB on Wednesday(3/2/11). No ultrasound, no poking or probing. All seems as it is suppose to be. Doctor just reinterated, the longer they stay put, the better. 32 weeks is within sight (Sunday). I think we can all hear God saying, I'm hearing all of those prayers, "just trust in Me." George Bockwinkel

UPDATE 3:

From: George Bockwinkel

Date: February 20, 2011 12:52:28 PM CST

To: 

Subject: 2/20 Sarah's Update

Sarah returned home on Wednesday from Rochester as I believe you are aware of. The "twins" and she were all doing well. The "twins" had each grown 4 oz.since their ultrasound on Wednesday, 2/9. More importantly, the steroid injections they receeived in Rochester enhanced the developement of the organs, particularily their lungs. On Thursday, Sarah felt an increase in the frequency of contractions (15 minutes apart), so we went back to Rochester for some professional opinions. They monitored her for a couple of hours and she was released to return home. There had been no change in her dialation or effacing. Sarah is considered to be in latent labor. That is to say, the contractions are conditioning her body for the ultimate delivery. We (Ginny and I) departed Winona for J.C. on Saturday morning as Sarah's parents and youngest sister departed Rosemount for Winona at abut the same time. While Sarah's sister and dad returned to Rosemount on Saturday eveing, Lisa is staying until Monday (when hopefully, the snow will have stopped falling and the roads will have been plowed). They are forecasting 6-15" and already had 6" by noon today. Sarah continues to have irregular spaced contractions since Thursday. While her due date is May 1, full term for twins is considered 37 or 38 weeks (April 10 or 17). Today (Feb.20) she is 30 weeks. Since they weigh 3 lbs. 1 oz. and 3 lbs. even, they could stand to grow some more in order to reduce their stay in the hospital after birth.  Thanks for all the prayers. They helped get through the crisis and everything is on a more normal pace. Continued prayers will help see Sarah and the twins through to a healthy and safe delivery at God's appolinted time. The next update will be when anything significant changes.

UPDATE 2: Babies stayed put, that's good. The longer they stay put, the better for all concerned. While Sarah's contractions resumed after she was taken off meds that slowed down or stopped her contractions, that was not unexpected. They performed through ultrasounds on Wednesday morning. All is very good. Babies have grown 4 oz. each since last Wednesday. They are now 3 lbs. 1 oz. and 3 lbs even. More importantly, the steroids has aided in the developement of organs and their diaphrams/lungs are both functioning. Doctor felt comfortable in releasing Sarah to go home as they could do nothing more at the hospital. She is NOT on bed rest, BUT she can not drive, nor return to classes or her job duties, nor do much of anything around the apartment other than take it easy. Sarah got home Wednesday afternoon. She does not feel contractions when napping (as demonstrated in the ride home or another short nap once settled in), but when awake, has a contraction about once an hour, but they are not all that strong.  Unfortunately, the future is not very predictable.  Continue prayers so that the twins stay put for a time longer. This weekend they will be 30 weeks. UPDATE 1

We are in Rochester.  After a couple days (Sunday around2:30 until Tuesday at 2:00) Sarah has had drugs to slow down the labor and the twins have had two rounds of steriods to help develop their organs.  The drugs worked well at first then contractions started in again and we thought the little girls were going make an appearance.  We got out the word for the need of prayer and we headed to Rochester.  The prayers have been working, thanks to all of you and all the others who have "stormed" the heavens.  The girls have remained in womb and each day they will become stornger.  As of 2:00 p.m. today (Tuesday) Sarah had her last round of drugs to slow down the labor.  Her contractions are virtually non-existant.  The Dr. said her labor has been slowed down, she is now in latent labor.  We will see what tonight brings. If tonight proves to pass with non-existant labor, she may be able to return to Winona.  The Dr. will visit with James and Sarah in the morning and go over a plan. We appreciate all of your prayers and ask for continued prayers hopefully for another couple weeks when they will be 31 plus weeks and be much more ready to meet the challenges of the outside world. Thanks again for all your prayers and support we have felt God's loving hand in our journey.

James (my cousin, the youngest of our generation) took Sarah to the hospital this afternoon (Sunday) as she was experiencing pre-mature labor with the twins. Sarah is 29 weeks along, but obviously they would like her to get to 36 weeks, but that may not happen. Medical people have checked Sarah and the twins at the hospital today and all are doing well (except for the pre-mature labor). They are trying to slow down the contractions to put off the delivery. They have given twins some steroids to help speed their development. Unfortunately, the hospital in LaCross WS does not have room in their neo-natal ward, so, for safety they are transporting Sarah to hospital (Mayo) in Rochester MN this evening. FYI, just last week, the extensive check up showed both babies doing well with one weighing 2 lbs. 12 oz. and the other 2 lbs. 13 oz. Thanks for the prayers.