Too Tired For Words

Thomas, James and Jack

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August 3?

This could very well be the babies’ birth date. I am scheduled for a c-section that afternoon, unless of course the babies decide to come on their own timeline. It is very odd to even be discussing the possibility of delivering the babies in August, the month they are due. For months, we had hoped to get to July (instead of May or June). We never even considered anything beyond that point.

My doctor determined this date because I will be 36 weeks and 1 day. At 36 weeks, there is little benefit to the babies in continuing to remain inside and there is an increased chance of complications, such as placenta issues, developing. If anything happens between now and then, the doctors won’t hesitate to deliver right away and doing so will result in minimal effects on the babies. We are so lucky!

I now have a new anxiety as we face the possibility that one or more of the babies could come home when I am discharged, or shortly thereafter. I had anticipated using the time when they were hospitalized and I was at home to rest and start on my recovery from a difficult pregnancy and c-section. We may be thrown into it all in the span of a couple of days. I’m not sure we’d ever be fully ready, anyway, so we’re just going to have to take it as it comes.

Now, I am trying not to focus on the fear I have about delivering by c-section. At least my doctor showed no signs of hesitation in delivering triplets. She said, “I have to assist my husband in surgery at 1pm, so let’s have the babies at noon.” I appreciate her confidence and Wes is relieved that her husband will not be assisting in our delivery…you know, just in case any marital discord arises over the weekend.

Stay tuned…

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34 weeks and more…

At today’s ultrasound, the babies all measured about 5 1/2 pounds. This is still ahead for their gestational age, but not off the charts as before. I think we finally got a fairly realistic prediction; the other sonographer was a bit generous. I also wonder if I would have collapsed had their been a reason to think 18 pounds of baby resides in my midsection.

It is weird reaching this point in a triplet pregnancy, because it really is phenomenal to still be carrying them, at home, with no bed rest. The doctors have no concern if they are born now, but also they’d love to see me get to 36 weeks if my body allows it. It seems every time I reach a major milestone, the bar gets set higher. Who knows if and when labor will begin. I think we’re already being trained for life with our new babies; things will not be predictable and will require a lot of flexibility. We’re taking things day to day now, and will be for many months to come.

Ellie is in school for the next two weeks and she is thrilled about it. It is great timing for us. If the babies come, it gives her some structure and predictability for a few weeks. If they don’t, it gives me some predictable rest and break.

We know we’re truly blessed that so many of our prayers have been answered during the last few months!

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Countdown to babies!

Everything looks great with the babies and me.

The onset of labor is very hard to predict, but the doctors think it will be soon.

We’re filled with anxiety and excitement, and much impatience.

We’ll update the blog as things unfold.

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Growing, Growing, Growing

Our 32 week ultrasound brought another good report.  These babies are big!!!  Still no bed rest required.  At this point, I think it is less about what activities the doctors will permit and more about what I desire or can tolerate.  I am certainly not used to the physical limitations I am self-imposing.  It will be well worth it, though, when these babies arrive large and healthy!

If my body does not naturally go into labor in the next couple of weeks, the plan is to schedule me for a c-section at the end of July. 

Here are today’s growth measurements:

Baby A: 5 pounds, 8 ounces

Baby B: 5 pounds, 2 ounces

Baby C: 4 pounds, 15 ounces

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Our week in pictures…

Since purchasing his iPhone, Wes is rarely seen without it clipped to his side. Those of you who are local have certainly not missed this detail. Neither has Ellie. On a rare moment in which Wes removed his clip, Ellie grabbed it and came up with this idea:

Like father, like daughter

The rest of the photos speak for themselves:

She really is this sweet and cute (most of the time that is)

31 weeks pregnant, measuring 41 weeks

Crib 1 of 3

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At least two more weeks to go?

I was pleasantly surprised today to learn that the results of my fetal fibronectin test were negative. This means that despite some signs of preterm labor I’ve been having, there is a 97% chance that I will NOT go into labor in the next two weeks. I was also relieved because a positive result on this test is not necessarily a great indicator that labor is imminent, but it would require immediate steroid shots to help develop the babies’ lungs and permanent bed rest for me.  Things can certainly change at a moment’s notice at this stage and it is not unusual for minor problems to develop that are best rectified by immediate delivery.  However, the results today are very encouraging.

We are so grateful for all of you who are praying for us. Being this far in the pregnancy with a good report is such an answer to our prayers.

Another ultrasound with growth measurements to come on Monday.

Happy 4th to all!

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30 Weeks and counting

I am still walking around!  Although I have over 11 pounds of baby in me and have a tummy measuring 40 weeks+, the doctors are allowing me to stay on my feet a little and be home with my family.  I am SO grateful!!!  Labor and delivery are still a few weeks off as far as they can tell.  I’ve gotten confirmation that 34-36 weeks is the optimal time for triplets to be born; so we’re going with that as our goal. 

More important than me, of course, is the babies.  Growth continues to be on or ahead of schedule:

Baby A: 4 pounds, 1 ounce

Baby B: 3 pounds, 8 ounces

Baby C: 3 pounds, 10 ounces

At this rate, we hope that all of the babies will be 4-5 pounds at the time of delivery. 

The ultrasound did reveal a concern with Baby A.  I delayed posting by a day, because I was not and still am not certain what I want to say in such a public domain.  It is not fair to not post at all and, in so doing, neglect all of the good news we’ve received.  At the same time, the point of the blog is greatly diminished if it is only a one-sided report of the good things.  Since we will not know anything more until the babies are delivered, I’ve decided it’s best to be vague and to ask you to respect our privacy.  We sit with the knowledge and gratitude that Baby B and Baby C are doing phenomenally.  And, we wait with nervous hearts to learn more about the issues with Baby A and about how all of our babies will be upon arrival. 

The irony of ultrasounds is that the best pictures are captured early in the pregnancy when the babies have no chance for survival.  Now that they are fully viable, however, the images are really hard to capture.  So, I doubt I will post ultrasound pictures any more.  However, if I get my act together, I will take and post more pictures of our other super-cutie child.

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A Major Milestone Reached

At today’s doctor’s appointment, the doctor affirmed that we have reached the most important week of the pregnancy because the babies now have a nearly 100% chance of survival.  With each passing week from this point on, the babies will gain the necessary weight and skills for breathing and eating that will determine when they come home after their birth. 

My body appears to have rebounded after a few weeks of contractions.  The doctor did not raise a single concern about any of the babies or me.  Instead, he was quite expressive with his praise and amazement.  The doctor believes there is no indication that labor will begin any time soon.  In fact, he believes we are at least one month from delivery.  Both Wes and I were a bit shocked, only because we had prepared ourselves for these babies coming in early July.  This is obviously a great report; we’re just now wondering if it will be my body or our minds that will give out first. 

For now, we’re coasting on a bit of a high that life still continues as ‘normal’ and that we’re not facing bed rest or a complete disruption of our family routine.  This is no small answer to prayer, especially as it concerns Ellie. 

As for the babies’ growth at 28 weeks:

Baby A: 3 pounds, 0 ounces

Baby B: 3 pounds, 0 ounces

Baby C: 3 pounds, 4 ounces*

*Both Wes and I observed the sonographer to be generous in her measurments and we were particularly curious as to why Baby C, usually slightly smaller, has now jumped ahead.  A simple explanation is that these estimates are highly subject to computer and sonographer error.  However, the sonographer herself felt that she was able to get the best measurements on Baby C and the least accurate on Baby B due to their respective positions.  The appropriate conclusion to make is that all of the babies are growing well and consistently.  And, from my perspective, the rib and chest pain I get could very well be explained by a one-pound-plus gain by Baby C.

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Third Trimester Update

It feels like the third trimester hit me like a brick.  In one week, Ellie finished school, the summer heat set in, and the third trimester pains and fatigue emerged in full force.  I know all women complain about these pregnancy ailments, but I realize how spoiled I was in my pregnancy with Ellie to have had very minimal discomforts. 

Perhaps the biggest change from a medical standpoint is that I have started to have more frequent contractions.  Thankfully, all other measures of my progress continue to be strong and so the doctors think I still have some time before delivery.  It also means that bed rest has not been formally imposed.  However, the doctor has encouraged me to get off of my feet as much as I can.  This is difficult advice for me.  For one, I am not a person who sits well or handles inactivity.  For another, it is hard to receive vague advice with very little guidelines as to what is truly expected and beneficial/detrimental.  Thirdly, I have found that if I rest, the contractions usually subside, but getting up to move again is nearly impossible.  It is inertia demonstrated to the fullest extent. 

In the midst of my complaining, I am fully aware of how lucky we have been.  The babies are in excellent condition and I am incredibly far along to still be pregnant, and especially to not be on formal bed rest.  There was a point where I was not sure if I would even have a third trimester.  Our goal continues to be a delivery in 4-6 weeks.  I’m physically prepared for that, but I am only just beginning to emotionally and mentally prepare for the arrival of three babies. 

My appointments are now going to be weekly, so we’ll be able to keep you well informed of the babies’ conditions and the overall prognosis as we complete this home stretch.

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