Exciting morning of hospital drama

I just thought I would give you a mid-week update and tell you about some of the things going on lately.

My contractions are beginning to come more frequently and I end up needing to have the terb shot earlier and earlier every couple of days. I had to have it yesterday around 2:30, which I thought was early. Today, I had to have it at 10:30. This is by far the earliest I have ever had to have it. I am becoming the "talk of the town", so to speak, with the nurses up here. They keep teasing me and asking if I am going for the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest gestation of triplets in history. I told them not hardly. I have heard of triplets going to 36 or 37 weeks before and I doubt I will go that far. Now they are asking me if my family and friends are making bets on when the babies will arrive. I wouldn't doubt it if my nurses are! :)

This morning, I was being monitored and all of the sudden I started smelling a burning smell. I immediately called for my nurse and they came right in. The three nurses and I all smelled the burning smell. The charge nurse called maintenance and had "Mr. Grumpy" come up. I have had several issues with this guy, as have the nurses, because he is so incredibly rude. Anyway, he didn't smell anything, so I asked one of the nurses to bring in a "fresh nose" to see what she thought. By this time, the smell was starting to fade and quickly dissipated, so I guess everything is fine. We've had a few electrical problems with a couple of the outlets in this room, so I was extra concerned about the smell.

I immediately had all these crazy thoughts going through my head like what if this whole area of the hospital goes up in flames and we have to be evacuated. I then go into labor due to all the chaos and moving and my doctor has no place to deliver my babies. :) I know...they are crazy thoughts. What can I say, I am almost 34 weeks pregnant with triplets and have been in the hospital for 8 weeks. I didn't really think deep down that all that would happen, it just went through my mind for a split moment. I thought you all would get a nice laugh out of it.

Good times with Jennifer

I don't have a whole lot new to report regarding the babies, they are still staying put since yesterday. I just wanted to share a few pictures with you. My good friend Jennifer came by today and brought me the cutest onesies and socks, a delicious lunch (homemade chicken and dumplings - I need that recipe!) and a lot of laughs! Jennifer, thanks so much for everything, I really do cherish the friendship we've developed over the past few years. We have been through so much together - almost like parallel lives and I/we are so excited for you and Todd and can't wait for our kids to play together and be life-long friends.



Jennifer is 30 weeks pregnant with a little girl. Doesn't she look nice and PREGNANT? Not fat? LOL Her words, not mine... No, I am not a horrible friend, we had a nice laugh about this today and I told her I was going to tease her about it because she has been getting some comments from people saying she doesn't look pregnant... She's like, "what do I look just fat?" I promise, you look very pregnant and happy! Jenn, you should show people before pictures and current pictures, maybe that will shut them up. I look like I am arching my back and sticking my belly out in this picture, but I'm not. Crazy!





These are the onesies she gave us...aren't they cute? Jenn, don't you feel so special, I did a post just for you. :) I can't wait to come by and see your nursery and especially meet your precious baby girl. I wish I could make it to your shower, but is looking unlikely.

We love you guys!

A LOT of baby! 33 weeks

I am sorry to keep you all in suspense all day. My appointment this morning took an extremely long time because Koster was having such a hard time getting all the babies measurements because they are so big. Needless to say, I had to rest from the appointment because I was so uncomfortable. Now, on to the good stuff...

The babies all look good - everybody's measurements are just fine. They gained between 7 and 9 ounces in the past two weeks. They now weigh:

Tyler 4 lbs. 5 ou.
Hannah 4 lbs. 3 ou.
Whitney 4 lbs. 4 ou.

I don't know exactly how accurate these weights are because she was having such a hard time measuring their heads, tummies, legs etc. She thinks they are pretty close to accurate, probably within a couple of ounces.

The new plan... Because the babies gained 7-9 ounces in the past two weeks, it is unlikely that they will gain enough to be at the 5 pound mark by next Thursday. So, we are now shooting for 35 weeks and 5 pounds each. I am very happy and thankful for their health, growth and my ability to keep them in, but I was a little disappointed that we are now looking at 2 weeks until their birth instead of 1 week. I really don't think I am going to labor on my own because I haven't yet and my cervix is still holding steady which is surprising all my doctors. It is still at 10 mm or 1 cm, just as it was two weeks ago. I would love to carry them longer, but I don't know if I can physically take much more. Nearly 13 pounds that I am currently carrying is so physically difficult, I can't imagine another 2 pounds. I am just ready to meet my babies, get out of this hospital bed and start this new journey of parenthood. There is a chance they might not even spend any time in the NICU if they are born at 35 weeks and 5+ pounds each. We will be crazy busy getting me recovered and getting everything ready with them coming straight home, but then again, no NICU time will be awesome.





Isn't my belly getting HUGE?!?

It's a full moon tonight!

Does a full moon increase your likelihood of going into labor??? Give me your thoughts, opinions and experiences. My nurse and I were talking about the full moon and wondering when I was. She told me the moon was pretty full, but she thought it was getting smaller. I looked it up online and discovered the full moon is tonight! We'll see what happens. I may have these babies tonight.

7 weeks in the hospital

I just got weighed today and I have gained 5 pounds since last Monday. I am up to a 44 pound weight gain. This brightened my day because after 7 weeks of hospital bedrest, 8 weeks total bedrest,and eating less, I was surprised to have gained that much. Hopefully, most of it is the babies weight gain. I am sure it is because my belly is getting SO BIG and HEAVY!! I am really looking forward to Thursday when we get the babies weights again.

My contractions are still about the same. Some days I have more than others, but between the procardia and terbutaline, they are staying under control. Who knows...I may not go into labor before the 34 week mark. If the babies are 5 pounds each by then, the plan is to do the c-section.

I've been doing much better emotionally over the past few weeks, until this weekend. This weekend, I had a rough time with being cooped up and it all hit me again. I haven't been leaving my room for wheelchair excursions since my cervix shortened so much two weeks ago. But yesterday, I just had to get out of my room. There is only so much a person can take. The last time I got out of my room on a regular basis, it was really cold, so we just strolled around the inside of the hospital. I couldn't tell you when the last time was I have been outside the hospital. But yesterday, I had to get outside. Craig wheeled me around outside for a little bit and the fresh air felt so good on my face. Normally, I would be complaining it is cold and want to go in, but not after being in the hospital so long. I have almost missed an entire season in this place. The trip did me good and I feel better. Maybe that will last me until I get discharged.

We have so much to do after I get discharged and before the babies come home. We are so thankful that they have stayed put so long and are gaining weight so well. Maybe they won't be here in the NICU too long. I just hope we get all the stuff done that we need to get done before they come home. This 2 month hospital stay has definitely put us behind in preparation for their homecoming. There are a lot of things Craig or others could do, but I really want to be a part of some of it as their mother. I haven't been able to do anything besides lay in a hospital bed for nearly 2 months and I want to experience the normal joys of getting ready for my babies to arrive.

Thank you again to all of you have been praying for us and sending us words of encouragement. We are so thankful for you all.

UPDATED - 32 weeks - HUGE milestone

This past week, I have noticed an extreme amount of growth. My belly is noticeably bigger and the babies kicks are much stronger. I know many of you have said I don't look that big for triplets, which I agree with you...until now. My belly is so big, I have outgrown almost all of my maternity clothes. It is so heavy, every time I switch from one side to the other, it is a workout. I think the profile pictures that we normally take on a weekly basis doesn't give an accurate idea of how big I am because all the babies hang out far on my sides, sometimes they are all on one side believe it or not. So, we decided to take a few pictures from the frontal view to give you a more accurate idea of my size.

We just got back from my doctor appointment and all looks good with them. At this point, baby C (Whitney) is laying on top of the other two and is head down. Koster said Baby C is in the penthouse. Baby A (Tyler) is still breach and is bouncing on his butt on my cervix like a trampoline. Baby B (Hannah) is also breach just a little bit higher than Tyler. My cervix is measuring at 10 mm - not a lot of change, but a little... My doctor now thinks I could go to 34 weeks again. Everyone seems very amazed that I have lasted so long because I am not that tall. I (we) feel very encouraged to have made it this long.

An update on the situation with my doctor going out of town.... She told me the different doctors that would be on call and on which days and she said Trylovich would be willing to come deliver the babies despite who is on call if she is available. So, it is still not for sure who will be delivering. We may actually see if Koster can do it. Whatever happens, we are comfortable with who will be doing the c-section.

A possible change of plans

My doctor came by to see me today and she had a little bad news to tell me. She is going out of town on the 18th and will not be returning until the 27th. She was very honest with me regarding the situation. She said she had known about the trip for quite some time but she didn't want to worry me and she had hoped the timing would work out to where I would have the babies when she was in town. She said Ennis would be on call and covering for Nivens while she was out. I have met Ennis two or three times in my hospital stay, but I know very little about her and it makes me a little nervous that the person who could possibly be delivering my babies is somebody I don't know from Adam. I know Trylovich a little better and feel more comfortable with her mostly because I have several friends who see her and they all brag on and on about her so I asked Nivens if she would ask Trylovich to do the c-section if I go into labor while she is gone - she is letting me know what Trylovich said tomorrow. Only thing is Trylovich will be out of town a few days while Nivens is gone too. So, if I go into labor during that time, Ennis will do it. I am sure Ennis is fully capable, she delivered my friend Jessica's triplets, it is just the uneasy feeling of having a doctor that knows very little about me and vice versa, delivering my triplets.

It upset me a little for the obvious reasons, but at the same time, she seemed very sincere and sorry about the situation. It is pretty much out of my control as is everything else, so I am going to try not to worry about it.

Not too much longer - 31 weeks

Today marks 31 weeks which we are thrilled about. We had our doctor appointment this morning and the babies are all growing like crazy! They all weigh 3 pounds 12 ounces! That is 11 pounds 4 ounces total!! My doctor said she could honestly say she has never seen triplets grow so well - she said they are very big for their age and they are all maintaining the closeness in size, which is a very good thing. All their fluids, heart rates and cord doppler measurements are great. Koster said the surgeons are going to get a bath because I have SO much fluid.

I mentioned recently how I started feeling a lot more pressure and that I felt like baby A (Tyler) has moved a lot further down. I felt like this pressure has done a number on my cervix and I was right. My cervix is now measuring 12-14 with a constant funnel; I am 75% effaced, but she didn't check to see if I am dilated. I haven't seen Nivens today yet, so we will have to wait and see what she thinks. Koster is thinking I may go another week, but I am not so sure. I think that was a best case scenario guess. I haven't been feeling well at all today. I've been having a lot of nausea, heartburn, dizziness and just sheer exhaustion today. My doctor said some of these symptoms can be a sign that labor is quickly approaching. Nivens just came by and she also thinks it will be within the week. She said she would be surprised if I made it to next Thursday. Time will tell...

If you would like to visit, it would probably be best if you just send me an email at this time due to my increased discomfort and exhaustion. Thank you to everyone who has come by to visit, emailed and called. We appreciate all your love, support and prayers and will keep you updated as things progress.

More contractions.

Just thought I would give you all an update and let you know I am still here and hugely pregnant. Nothing much is new except that the terb shot is becoming a regular thing with me again. Once I started procardia twice a day, my need for the terb decreased tremendously, but now that the babies are getting bigger and bigger, the contractions are increasing. Luckily, the terbutaline works well for me and they don't have to send me to L&D for magnesium. I hear that stuff is awful!

I am not sure how much longer I will go before the babies are born, not because of the increased contractions but because I am feeling a lot more lower pressure. I think Tyler is ready to make his grand entrance into the world. I pretty much have to stay lying down all day - it is even difficult to sit up for a short time to eat. I am laying down even as I type this.

I got up this morning feeling better and more rested than I have felt probably since I got here. Yesterday, I got an air mattress put on top of my bed, which made a huge difference. I wish somebody would have told me about these earlier, they beat the heck out of the egg crates I've been using for the past 5 weeks.

I wonder if I may be nesting because when I got up this morning, I had this sudden urge to clean out my refrigerator and organize my non-perishable snacks. Maybe its nothing...probably my borderline OCD. :)

I had a few visitors over the weekend. My MIL, Jami and Kim stopped by and brought me lunch. Thank you both for coming by to visit and bringing me lunch. Sorry if the visit was a drag for you, but it was sweet that you both joined me in my cry-fest. ha ha.... My friends, Lindsay and Julie came by and brought us some delicious dessert snacks. Thank you for coming by and bringing the snacks, it was fun visiting with you. My inlaws came by again after staying the night at our house to take care of Lacy and some chores. Thank you for all that you do...the cleaning, laundry, dog sitting and thanks for the beautiful cross.

Craig stayed nearly all weekend, which was so nice. He spent the night Saturday night and I felt so much better to have him here. Although, Sunday, I felt very nervous and uneasy. I don't know if it was because I didn't feel good and was having some out of the norm aches and pains or if I was just paranoid. I keep fearing that I will go into labor while Craig isn't here and that he won't get here until after they have already taken me to L&D. I am sure he will get here before they start the c-section, but I would rather him be here before they take me over there to prep me. I think part of my problem is when Craig is able to spend more than a couple of hours here on weekends as opposed to during the week, I get so used to him being here, so when it is time for him to leave, I get scared and start having a lot of anxiety.

I have my all time favorite nurse today, so I feel much more comfortable and less anxious. Hopefully this will keep up. I will blog again in a few days and give you an update from my doctors appointment on Thursday.

30 week update

I made it to 30 weeks!! Another big milestone. Everyone including my friends, doctors and nurses keep telling me what a good job I am doing, although sometimes I don't feel like it. The isolation of this hospital room has taken its emotional toll on me. I would appreciate your continued prayers for the babies and also please pray for my emotional state of mind.

My SIL, Jill came by this morning and went with me to my appointment. I thought she would like to see all the babies moving around in there. I also thought it would be good to have someone be here with me in case my appointment didn't go well. It is much easier to have someone here rather than going back to my room by myself - Craig wasn't able to come to this appointment this week.

The appointment went well; all the kiddos look good. We only do growth every other week, so I won't have their new weights until next Thursday. Today was heart rates, fluids, cord doppler and cervical checks. Tyler felt the need to show off his boy parts to us. It was very clear! We also saw a few girl parts as well. Maybe TMI, but it was funny because it was more evident than ever before. I thought you might find it humorous. But, all in all, everything looked great with the babies.

On another note... several of you have asked about the date and plan for the c-section. The goal as of a few weeks ago when my cervix went down hill was 30 weeks (peri's goal), my OB's goal was 32 weeks. Since then, my cervix has improved and my peri changed her goal back to 34 weeks, but my OB still says 32 weeks. This week my cervix did shorten some more with the occasional funneling. Last week the cervix measured 32 or 3.2, this week it measured 30 or 3 cm. I still had the funneling with the residual of 18 which has shortened from last weeks 21 residual. This basically means this is the amount in length of my cervix after the cervix has funneled. My doctor seems to think I have a very strong cervix which doesn't show to be funneling constantly, so between the occasional funneling and the gradual, not drastic decline of the cervical length, she thinks I may go several more weeks. So, to make a long story even longer, there is no plan to take the babies at any certain date. When I speak of goals, that is just that...a goal. They obviously would love for me to go longer. If I go past 32 or 34 weeks, they will not take the babies, they will continue to allow them to grow and get healthy as long as everything with Mom and the babies are healthy. The only point where they would take them....the only scheduled date for the c-section is February 13th, which is 6 weeks from now. It is highly unlikely that I will make it that long, but if I did, that would be the ultimate goal for the babies. All these other goals are just short goals based on what they are currently seeing and how my body is reacting to the progression of this pregnancy. My doctors may set goals 2, 4 or 6 weeks out, but for me and my sanity, I set goals for me one week at a time. If I do anything more than that, it becomes all too overwhelming and feels like a life time away - more than I would like to think about.



This evening, my brother and SIL, Les and Kim stopped by. They brought me dinner and a little bucket of goodies. Thanks for coming to visit and for the food and goodies.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to you! Our New Year was obviously different this year. Craig and Lacy came up to celebrate the new year with me. We also celebrated with a few of the nurses. One of them brought New Years hats, blowers etc. to me and we all got into the celebrating mood.



I think Lacy is listening to the babies!



Do you think Lacy misses her mama?







New Years Day our friends Mike and Ame and their son Blake stopped by to see us. Thanks for the beautiful flowers. They really brighten up my room.



Our friends Al and Faye also stopped by to visit. They brought us some yummy almonds and pistachios. I've already gotten the chocolate covered almonds eaten! Yum!



Today...was a pretty good day. I had a couple of visitors, but of course forgot to take their picture. Craig is so much better at remembering than I am. I also got a nap in this afternoon, which almost never happens. Isn't it silly...I look forward to naps???

Matt & Sharon, our friends from church stopped by. It was good to see them again. I hope you feel better soon Matt.

Jennifer stopped by also and brought me lunch again. Thanks Jenn for lunch and for the company! Your cheery personality always puts me in a better mood.

Tomorrow, I will have another doctor appointment in the morning. I am very anxious to see how that goes and how my cervix is holding up. I will update you as soon as I can.