Brant and I (well mostly Brant) spent the day preparing the second bedroom/office for my mom's visit. Due to my extended stay in the hospital and of course of the arrival of our girls, our house has been ignored (we - understandably - have had other priorities). With a couple of grandma visits planned, we knew we had to make them semi-comfortable or else the offer to help us would probably dry up a little quicker. As much as they are both troopers, I have a feeling that sleeping in a stairwell might not go over so well. We have turned our living room into a baby area (including changing table previously known as Kari's office desk). Now if you would have told me that I would be changing dirty diapers in my living room a year ago - I wouldn't have believed you. Of course I wouldn't have believed that Brant would be cheering about poop, but that happens too. Our house is getting closer to making some sort of sense. Knowing we are moving is really a help - making all changes seem temporary. This is a good test run to see what type of space and layout we need now with our family of five. This information will only help Brant when he goes to LA in late July to find us an apartment.
Upon arrival at the NICU to visit the girls, I learned some exciting news. Apparently, Stella decided to take out her own feeding tube. While this did occasionally happen in the past (wouldn't you grab at something stuck to your face? I would) the nurses always put it back in right away. This time, they decided NOT to put it back in. 15 days old and already showing her independence. The nurse joked about how Stella was done with the tube and showing them she was ready to eat everything via mouth. Now, had she not ripped it out, they probably would have left it in for another couple of days, but since she did - they are going to see how see does without it. Go Stella Go!
6.25.09: Progress
Today was a day of progress for everyone.
Daphne and I had followup doctor appointments. Brant and I had some major anxiety about taking our little one back into the germ filled hospital but we had no choice and just guarded her from anyone or anything that looked suspicious. She gained almost 10oz since her discharge from the NICU only two days prior. Of course, this weighing-in may have included a wet diaper and definitely included clothing. Either way, she is steadily gaining weight - a great accomplishment and of course encouraging to Brant and I as new parents that we must be doing ok.
In my appointment I learned that my heart, lungs, blood pressure, and edema have all pretty much recovered from the stress of carrying three babies. I also learned that I lost 50 lbs in two weeks. Don't I sound like an infomercial? Apparently, if you have triplets, you too can lose this much weight quickly (not to say there isn't another 35 lbs to go, but we won't talk about that). My doctor also informed me that I can't drive for another month (6 weeks total). This makes visiting the girls in the NICU more and more challenging, but hopefully they will be home soon so it won't be too bad. Brant drove down to see the girls tonight while Daphne and I stayed at home. We are still trying to make sure one of us sees them at least once a day but of course we both wish we could be there all the time.
Fiona had her feeding tube removed because she was doing so well eating. She also had her oxygen saturation monitor removed. Both signs that she is getting ready to come home. Let the countdown begin.
Stella (not to be out down by her sisters) became a super eater overnight. The nurses all agree that this eating thing just finally clicked with her. She still has her tube in but has begun taking almost all of her feedings via mouth (rather than via tube). A couple more days of this and she too will have her feeding tube removed. In weight gaining news, Stella finally reached 5lbs - this makes all the girls 5lbs or more. I think Fiona and Stella realize that Daphne is gone and want to come home too - and we are SO excited to have them.
Also in the NICU, we are finally no longer required to wear our masks. For about a week, the hospital required everyone to wear masks when around intensive care patients as there was a mini-outbreak of the swine flu amongst some hospital workers. Apparently, this threat has been contained and we are able to enjoy smooching on our little ones without breaking the rules.
Progress is progress and we will take it!
Daphne and I had followup doctor appointments. Brant and I had some major anxiety about taking our little one back into the germ filled hospital but we had no choice and just guarded her from anyone or anything that looked suspicious. She gained almost 10oz since her discharge from the NICU only two days prior. Of course, this weighing-in may have included a wet diaper and definitely included clothing. Either way, she is steadily gaining weight - a great accomplishment and of course encouraging to Brant and I as new parents that we must be doing ok.
In my appointment I learned that my heart, lungs, blood pressure, and edema have all pretty much recovered from the stress of carrying three babies. I also learned that I lost 50 lbs in two weeks. Don't I sound like an infomercial? Apparently, if you have triplets, you too can lose this much weight quickly (not to say there isn't another 35 lbs to go, but we won't talk about that). My doctor also informed me that I can't drive for another month (6 weeks total). This makes visiting the girls in the NICU more and more challenging, but hopefully they will be home soon so it won't be too bad. Brant drove down to see the girls tonight while Daphne and I stayed at home. We are still trying to make sure one of us sees them at least once a day but of course we both wish we could be there all the time.
Fiona had her feeding tube removed because she was doing so well eating. She also had her oxygen saturation monitor removed. Both signs that she is getting ready to come home. Let the countdown begin.
Stella (not to be out down by her sisters) became a super eater overnight. The nurses all agree that this eating thing just finally clicked with her. She still has her tube in but has begun taking almost all of her feedings via mouth (rather than via tube). A couple more days of this and she too will have her feeding tube removed. In weight gaining news, Stella finally reached 5lbs - this makes all the girls 5lbs or more. I think Fiona and Stella realize that Daphne is gone and want to come home too - and we are SO excited to have them.
Also in the NICU, we are finally no longer required to wear our masks. For about a week, the hospital required everyone to wear masks when around intensive care patients as there was a mini-outbreak of the swine flu amongst some hospital workers. Apparently, this threat has been contained and we are able to enjoy smooching on our little ones without breaking the rules.
Progress is progress and we will take it!
6.23.09: Welcome home Daphne!
We had a really nice weekend, spending father's day with the girls. Daphne even decided to give dad some extra 'presents' while getting her diaper changed, which left us both hysterically laughing (I thought the opportunity for 'spray' would only be from boys, but turns out our girls are talented in strategic aim as well). It is amazing, I never thought I would be cheering on poop, but I was - of course it helped that dad was changing her :)
On Monday, when arriving at the NICU we were greeted with the wonderful news that Daphne would be coming home on Wednesday. She has been completing all of her minimum feeds and in record time. Brant and I were thrilled, our first little girl was coming home. Of course we wish all of them were coming home, but progress is progress and we will take it. We went home in the afternoon between our day and evening NICU visits and began really sorting out what we needed, had, and prepared appropriately. We left our trip to Target for Tuesday night but ordered several key items via amazon (thanks again Kochmans for the free 2-day shipping)
Upon arriving to the NICU on Tuesday around 9:30am, we were surprised with the news that Daphne was coming home THAT day - and it needed to be before noon to prevent another day of NICU charges that our insurance may not cover. While we were thrilled to have her home sooner than we expected, I became immediately overwhelmed with the abundance of things I wished to accomplish before she arrived. We also needed to watch a CPR video before we could take her home and again, the clock was ticking. Regardless, we completed the necessary trainings and wisked away our middle daughter into her new snazzy car seat and prepared for the 30 minute drive home (during which she slept the entire time).
I was thrilled to discover that overnight Brant had developed the 'daddy driving gene' a gene that makes men drive calmly when a baby is present. A word to all you ladies out there - keep this benefit in mind when deciding if you want to have children. Upon arriving safely at home, we put Daphne into the crib (all the girls will be co-bedded until we move to LA). Then Brant and I just starred at her sleeping, for probably an hour. We sat on the side of our bed and just stared. It kind of reminded me of Christmas Eve and trying to catch a glimpse of santa clause. Every stir, grunt and groan, one of us jumped up to make sure she was ok. I am happy to report, that eventually we calmed down. Perhaps it was due to the list of things we still needed to do while our little one was sleeping since she arrived home a tad earlier than expected.
After her next feeding, we knew we had a couple hours of napping time before she would awake. We contemplated our scheduled trip to Target and then realized that we had to adventure out with her at some point - why not now. So we did it. We packed up a diaper bag and went to Target collecting only the essentials as we knew her clock was ticking. We made it all the way home without any crying or even big stirs. We did however realize that a trip such as this with three little ones would be very different and likely impossible for a while - but one day at a time and this trip was a success. Thanks Daphne.
Later that night we decided to press our luck and see if we could make a trip down to see Fiona and Stella who are still in the NICU. Again, just after Daphne's feeding, we packed her up and headed down to Hyde Park. Daphne is no longer allowed in the NICU and hanging out in a hospital lobby full sick people didn't seem like a good idea - so Brant took Daphne into work while I went up to the NICU. I was able to feed Stella, Fiona and pump all within 1.5 hours. The amazing thing is that both Fiona and Stella were eating about half of their feedings via mouth (the other via tube) but tonight, they BOTH ate all of their feedings via mouth for me. I think they know that Daphne is gone, and they want to come home too. The nurses were amazed and thrilled. We were told that the desire to eat would just click for everyone one day and we are really hoping that this is the click they were talking about - of course it is really too early to tell, but again, progress is progress.
As you can tell, things are going really well. As of Tuesday, the girls are 36 weeks gestational age and 12 days old. To already have Daphne with us is a huge treat and probably a good way for us to learn what we are doing before everyone is home. For now, we continue some sort of crazy schedule balancing one newborn at home, two in the NICU and figuring out this whole parenthood thing.
6.19.09: One tube down, two to go
Today (at 8 days old) Daphne had her feeding tube removed as well as her monitor for oxygen saturation. She is taking more than her minimum feeding requirement via mouth (I think she takes after her dad with her ability to down a bottle quickly). This is a huge accomplishment and basically the only one preventing the girls from coming home. Fiona and Stella are taking about half of their feedings by mouth, they are both making progress each day but taking the time they need. Rumor has it, if all goes well this weekend, Daphne will be heading home mid to late next week!
We have just figured out our daily routine but of course once Daphne comes home everything will change. Typically we go to Hyde Park together in the morning. Brant puts in some time at work (preserving his paternity leave for once everyone is home) while I hang out with the kids. Then Brant comes to help with their afternoon feeding and after that we head home. Usually we end up doing only the required household functions to survive (pay bills, etc) and then we end up taking a nap. After a quick dinner we go back to the hospital to help with the nighttime feeding and meet the night nurses (shift changes between 7-8). We return home around 10 and usually crash only getting up to pump. It makes for a long day, but of course totally worth it.
I really look forward to the day when everyone is home. I am a bit nervous for some being home while others are still in the NICU - I think it is going to be really difficult to split our time since no one under 18 is allowed into the NICU - even siblings. We will figure it out though, and hopefully soon enough they will all be home. Send us lots of happy eating thoughts!
We have just figured out our daily routine but of course once Daphne comes home everything will change. Typically we go to Hyde Park together in the morning. Brant puts in some time at work (preserving his paternity leave for once everyone is home) while I hang out with the kids. Then Brant comes to help with their afternoon feeding and after that we head home. Usually we end up doing only the required household functions to survive (pay bills, etc) and then we end up taking a nap. After a quick dinner we go back to the hospital to help with the nighttime feeding and meet the night nurses (shift changes between 7-8). We return home around 10 and usually crash only getting up to pump. It makes for a long day, but of course totally worth it.
I really look forward to the day when everyone is home. I am a bit nervous for some being home while others are still in the NICU - I think it is going to be really difficult to split our time since no one under 18 is allowed into the NICU - even siblings. We will figure it out though, and hopefully soon enough they will all be home. Send us lots of happy eating thoughts!
6.16.09: No more isolettes
Here's Fiona!:
Here's Daphne!:
Here's Stella!:
Today was the first official day of the new 'Intermediate' room and so far so good. As we arrived this morning, Daphne was already removed from her isolette (isolettes are the plastic mini-greenhouses used for a premie) and resting comfortably in her new open crib. Stella and Fiona also graduated to this new open crib soon after. It is fantastic to have them out of the isolettes - it means we can simply walk up to them and pick them up - no more need for help from the nurses. All of the IVs have been removed for the girls and now they are just hooked up to monitors for basic vitals.
Eating will be the biggest challenge for our young ones. I have been trying to nurse each girl several times a day but as with all things some of them are a little better than others - but hey we are all still learning here (and will be for a while). Also with the removal of the IVs brings a challenge to make sure everyone gets the needed intake. When bottle feeding or nursing, the girls tend to wear out / fall asleep and stop eating therefore not meeting their needed intake. The solution to this is to add back the feeding tube. It is only used when the girls get too tired to finish their food (via bottle or nursing) - we have to remember they would have been 35 weeks old today and at such a young age, sucking/swallowing skills are still developing. Also now that they are in the open air beds, they must use some of their calories to control their proper body temperatures.
They are doing great, I can't reiterate enough how wonderful it is to have them out of the isolettes. We are tired but thrilled our little girls are doing so well.
Here's Daphne!:
Here's Stella!:
Today was the first official day of the new 'Intermediate' room and so far so good. As we arrived this morning, Daphne was already removed from her isolette (isolettes are the plastic mini-greenhouses used for a premie) and resting comfortably in her new open crib. Stella and Fiona also graduated to this new open crib soon after. It is fantastic to have them out of the isolettes - it means we can simply walk up to them and pick them up - no more need for help from the nurses. All of the IVs have been removed for the girls and now they are just hooked up to monitors for basic vitals.
Eating will be the biggest challenge for our young ones. I have been trying to nurse each girl several times a day but as with all things some of them are a little better than others - but hey we are all still learning here (and will be for a while). Also with the removal of the IVs brings a challenge to make sure everyone gets the needed intake. When bottle feeding or nursing, the girls tend to wear out / fall asleep and stop eating therefore not meeting their needed intake. The solution to this is to add back the feeding tube. It is only used when the girls get too tired to finish their food (via bottle or nursing) - we have to remember they would have been 35 weeks old today and at such a young age, sucking/swallowing skills are still developing. Also now that they are in the open air beds, they must use some of their calories to control their proper body temperatures.
They are doing great, I can't reiterate enough how wonderful it is to have them out of the isolettes. We are tired but thrilled our little girls are doing so well.
6.15.09: Intensive to Intermediate
After spending the day at the NICU, just as we were about to leave we learned that the girls were being transferred to a different section of the NICU. Turns out they were in the Intensive - Level 3 section of the NICU and have already been upgraded to the Intermediate section of the NICU. This is an excellent sign although it is still hard to get information. One would think that due to this upgrade in status and decrease in need of critical care, that they would be coming home soon - however depending on who you talk to the departure date varies quite a bit. The standard answer to predictions of departure date is - when they were due (which is 7/21 for us). However, sometimes you hear that they consider 37 weeks to be full term - in which case they would be coming home in late June early July. Then sometimes you hear people say in could just be another week or so. Basically this means we have no idea, but the move from NICU (Intensive) to NICU (Intermediate) is a positive step in the right direction.
Sorry to everyone as we have been struggling to balance our time. Wanting to spend every moment possible at the NICU while still attempting to conduct semi-normal basic tasks (ie shower and sleep) has left us behind in our blogging - although we have been good about taking pictures. In the next week or so, we will figure out a routine and a balance but for now we are just enjoying that chaos that is the arrival of the three newest Robertsons :)
Sorry to everyone as we have been struggling to balance our time. Wanting to spend every moment possible at the NICU while still attempting to conduct semi-normal basic tasks (ie shower and sleep) has left us behind in our blogging - although we have been good about taking pictures. In the next week or so, we will figure out a routine and a balance but for now we are just enjoying that chaos that is the arrival of the three newest Robertsons :)
6.14.09: Released!
After several intense days and many, many tests, I have been released from the hospital. The discrepancy with my vitals has been manageable via medication and a couple more tests. Please keep in mind I was in the hospital from May 29th until today - a good two weeks, but it was obviously worth it. Being able to carry the girls for an additional couple weeks probably made a big difference in their size and stability.
The girls are still in the NICU but doing really well. Occasionally when someone gets really worked up, they will be put on some oxygen. If someone has trouble eating then they get help with a temporary feeding tube. They all have IVs as the fluid intake is critical to get correct when they are so small. Overall, things look great. We hear over and over again how wonderful our triplets look and we are very thankful for that. The just need to stabilize their body temperatures and learn to eat a bit better and of course 'beef up' a bit more.
The girls are still in the NICU but doing really well. Occasionally when someone gets really worked up, they will be put on some oxygen. If someone has trouble eating then they get help with a temporary feeding tube. They all have IVs as the fluid intake is critical to get correct when they are so small. Overall, things look great. We hear over and over again how wonderful our triplets look and we are very thankful for that. The just need to stabilize their body temperatures and learn to eat a bit better and of course 'beef up' a bit more.
6.12.09: Introducing
Fiona Verna (previously known as Alpha)
Arrival time: 9:35am
Weight: 4lbs 13oz
Length: 18 3/4 inches
Daphne Buelah (previously known as Beta)
Arrival time: 9:36am
Weight: 4lbs 14oz
Length: 18 inches
Stella Mae (previously known as Gamma)
Arrival time: 9:39am
Weight: 4lbs 9.5oz
Length: 17 1/4 inches
Our little girls received the names in the evening of June 12th after Brant and I were able to travel to the NICU together and hold each of them. By the next morning, the night nurse had already made each of them a sign with their names and information - this NICU is great!
While recovering from the surgery in the middle of the night, my vitals were significantly off. I ended up getting a chest x-ray in my bed in the middle of night to identify if I had fluid or a clot in my lungs - turns out it was the better of the two (fluid) and I was put on more medication to help lower my blood pressure. I also had a significant decrease in my oxygen level and was put on oxygen for several days to come. All recoverable, but an intense couple of days to say. Poor Brant spent several days running from the NICU to my room trying to take care of all of us.
Arrival time: 9:35am
Weight: 4lbs 13oz
Length: 18 3/4 inches
Daphne Buelah (previously known as Beta)
Arrival time: 9:36am
Weight: 4lbs 14oz
Length: 18 inches
Stella Mae (previously known as Gamma)
Arrival time: 9:39am
Weight: 4lbs 9.5oz
Length: 17 1/4 inches
Our little girls received the names in the evening of June 12th after Brant and I were able to travel to the NICU together and hold each of them. By the next morning, the night nurse had already made each of them a sign with their names and information - this NICU is great!
While recovering from the surgery in the middle of the night, my vitals were significantly off. I ended up getting a chest x-ray in my bed in the middle of night to identify if I had fluid or a clot in my lungs - turns out it was the better of the two (fluid) and I was put on more medication to help lower my blood pressure. I also had a significant decrease in my oxygen level and was put on oxygen for several days to come. All recoverable, but an intense couple of days to say. Poor Brant spent several days running from the NICU to my room trying to take care of all of us.
6.11.09: BABIES!!!
Brant here. 3 Girls! They are stable and in the NICU. Kari's comfortably resting on drugs. When she is feeling up to it, we'll go visit our babies together and give them names. I've been over to the NICU a few times, and checked in on them, so they've been well-loved so far.
Wish us luck!
Wish us luck!
34 weeks, 2 days: D-day
Brant guest blogging here. We've been notified that Kari will be delivered at 8am CST on June 11th. Wish us luck! We'll post again with an update after things have calmed down. Thanks for everyone's support!
(Kari's comment added in October 2009: My blood platelets had been decreasing dramatically which can cause serious issues when having a c-section. Additionally my blood pressure had reached an unhealthy level and the swelling in my body had become concerning. Basically I think my body was tired of supporting four people and the babies were tired of being squished - both understandable.)
(Kari's comment added in October 2009: My blood platelets had been decreasing dramatically which can cause serious issues when having a c-section. Additionally my blood pressure had reached an unhealthy level and the swelling in my body had become concerning. Basically I think my body was tired of supporting four people and the babies were tired of being squished - both understandable.)
34 weeks: Let the countdown begin
So as of Tuesday at 2am, I am officially off my medicine to control contractions and still about 3cm dilated. The doctors have explained that they have a very low tolerance for me with contractions - as soon as they start making me dilate, my time with these kids in my belly is through. From what I understand, this means if I go into labor at this stage, they won't try to stop it. I am still feeling several contractions an hour and occasionally have episodes of strong contractions which probably don't make me very fun to be around. As these contractions are not causing me to dilate, the cure is more IV fluids and rest.
Likely from all the fluids and lack of activity I have finally developed cankles. Up until now, just the tops of my feet have been swollen but now there is little differentiation between my feet, ankles and calves. I have to say though, my only real pregnancy issues have been cosmetic (dental issues, stretch marks and swollen limbs) so for this I am VERY lucky. My blood pressure has slowly begun creeping up a bit, but luckily I was blessed with low blood pressure to begin with so this gives me some more wiggle room. I remember a time when my family all went to get our blood pressure checked to show my grandma that it wasn't scary - I had the highest blood pressure and was the only one to break 100 - and I barely did. Who knew that this would help me later in life when pregnant with multiples.
Also yesterday, I finally toured the NICU. Brant had seen this area before as it is one of the key reasons we picked this hospital (in addition to our doctor). It is very high tech yet each area can be personalized. I'm not going to pretend that I wouldn't prefer to just take everyone home right away, but if they have to stay somewhere it seems like an excellent place to be. All of the nurses who we chatted with were thrilled that I was 34 weeks and still going - I suppose the mostly see the other end of the spectrum - super early babies. Still it was really hard to see such small babies. I think my vision of newborns is skewed as Brant and I were both over 10lbs, but I need to learn reality (especially for triplets) is not to have such beefy kids.
33 weeks 5 days: Labor and delivery visit #2
Just around midnight I woke up to some super strong contractions. When tracked they turned out to be 3-5 minutes apart and the strongest I have had to date. After attempting to give more fluids and medicine, we were sent back downstairs to the labor and delivery area. This is where we started at last Friday. Thankfully, I wasn't dilating and my water was still in tact. If either of those two things change, I will almost surely be headed for the OR. Instead we spent several hours getting monitored and eventually we were sent back upstairs. It made for a very long night - but we are thankful to get just a couple more days before these little ones arrive - the longer the better. The maternal fetal doctor on call mentioned that this will likely happen several more times before 'the real thing'. When having multiples, apparently your body gets into these spells of contractions and with some time they subside.
33 weeks 4 days: Flotation devices
I am happy to report that I am still pregnant. There have several 'extra' monitors done when I have had 4+ contractions in a half hour or so, but the contractions seem to be irregular and eventually calm down a bit to just a couple an hour. It's weird, I can tell by the increasing number of contractions when I am due for my medicine....I think these babies are getting ready. The plan is still to stop taking the medicine on Monday - hopefully we will make it to Tuesday (34 weeks).
In the meantime, my feet have become flotation devices. Even flipflops won't fit because my foot is too tall/fat - but hey one only needs to wear flipflops if you are going outside and I have been inside the hospital since last Friday.
Bonnie came to entertain us this weekend and was even able to enjoy the music of our new neighbors last night (she is staying at our house while Brant stays with me at the hospital). We haven't met those neighbors yet, they just moved in 2 weeks ago, but boy do they have a surprise coming to them when we bring home three newborns. For now, we will let them think we are nice, quiet people who don't mind music until 2am :)
33 weeks 2 days: Brainstorming
The last couple days have been pretty calm - which is great. We were able to chat with our doctor and all agreed that I will be staying in the hospital until these little ones are born. Honestly, I find this reassuring as the last thing I would want to happen is to be at home and have babies start falling out of me ;)
Today we had our weekly ultrasound. Everyone looks good and scores 100% on the 5 biophysical criteria. They also estimated weights for each baby. Alpha is estimated to be 4lbs 10oz, Beta 4lbs 2oz, Gamma 4lbs 6oz. Most of the books say that babies typically weigh 4lbs 8oz in their 33rd week, so Beta and Gamma are a little under weight, but of course the ultrasound is only an estimate. Brant also pointed out that since they just measure three body parts to estimate the weight, if anything the weights are likely to be underestimated rather than overestimated. Regardless I continue to try to eat hospital food with other food snuck in by Brant and Nicole. In this ultrasound we have also confirmed once again that Alpha is breech. Beta and Gamma are head down, but since Alpha is the lowest baby and is breech I am for sure having a c-section whenever it is time. It is pretty rare to be able to deliver all three triplets without a c-section and honestly I think I'd prefer to have just one exit path rather than two - so at least I know a c-section is on the way. In the ultrasound it is nearly impossible for us to decipher the body parts of one baby compared to another as they all overlap, so they don't even bother giving us pictures anymore because they really can't isolate a profile shot at all. The cutest thing we saw today during the ultrasound was when the tech was able to get all three heads together. Since Alpha is breech (head up) and Beta and Gamma are head down, all three of their little heads are stacked on top of each other in an upside down triangle shape. It is pretty cute. I declared it a brainstorming session. I think they are all in negotiations trying to decide when they want to be born - hopefully at least another week or so.
I am going to continue on the anti-contraction medicine until Monday and then according to our doctor, when things progress naturally we will not stop them. So while my goal still is 35 weeks or really as long as possible, everyone seems ecstatic if I can make it to 34 weeks. Heck they are all pretty happy I am already at 33 weeks and of course Brant and I are just happy we made it into June and now each day is a blessing.
Today we had our weekly ultrasound. Everyone looks good and scores 100% on the 5 biophysical criteria. They also estimated weights for each baby. Alpha is estimated to be 4lbs 10oz, Beta 4lbs 2oz, Gamma 4lbs 6oz. Most of the books say that babies typically weigh 4lbs 8oz in their 33rd week, so Beta and Gamma are a little under weight, but of course the ultrasound is only an estimate. Brant also pointed out that since they just measure three body parts to estimate the weight, if anything the weights are likely to be underestimated rather than overestimated. Regardless I continue to try to eat hospital food with other food snuck in by Brant and Nicole. In this ultrasound we have also confirmed once again that Alpha is breech. Beta and Gamma are head down, but since Alpha is the lowest baby and is breech I am for sure having a c-section whenever it is time. It is pretty rare to be able to deliver all three triplets without a c-section and honestly I think I'd prefer to have just one exit path rather than two - so at least I know a c-section is on the way. In the ultrasound it is nearly impossible for us to decipher the body parts of one baby compared to another as they all overlap, so they don't even bother giving us pictures anymore because they really can't isolate a profile shot at all. The cutest thing we saw today during the ultrasound was when the tech was able to get all three heads together. Since Alpha is breech (head up) and Beta and Gamma are head down, all three of their little heads are stacked on top of each other in an upside down triangle shape. It is pretty cute. I declared it a brainstorming session. I think they are all in negotiations trying to decide when they want to be born - hopefully at least another week or so.
I am going to continue on the anti-contraction medicine until Monday and then according to our doctor, when things progress naturally we will not stop them. So while my goal still is 35 weeks or really as long as possible, everyone seems ecstatic if I can make it to 34 weeks. Heck they are all pretty happy I am already at 33 weeks and of course Brant and I are just happy we made it into June and now each day is a blessing.
33 weeks 0 days: New goal
We finally got a chance to speak with a maternal fetal (high risk) doctor instead of a resident this morning - after all this is a teaching hospital. I really do like the idea of a teaching hospital, being an example now will make it easier for others in the future in a similar situation and I am all about that....must be the research administrator in me. I am also learning it is all about the nurses. You get the right nurse and amazing things can be done. Currently I am trying to negotiate a break from my IV line even though the policy is to have everyone on bedrest with a line in just in preparation for delivery. The tough part for me is that every 3-4 days your IV line must be replaced to prevent infection and in case I haven't mentioned it - I am not good with blood or needles.
According to my doctor turns out that my new goal is 35 weeks?!?!?! I'm not exactly sure how this goal came about, everything I read says triplets average gestation is 32 weeks, but here they seem to say it is 35 weeks. Perhaps it is the 32 that is the highly probable goal while the 35 is the aggressive but possible goal - either way I am up for the challenge. Apparently, I am a rare case in that I was not admitted for preterm labor prior to 32 weeks. However, I am currently 3cm dilated (and have been for several days) so they are keeping me here until I deliver. Even though there is no research that keeping me on the anti-contraction medicine works long term, I am going to stay on it for at least another week - the idea being that it doesn't hurt.
After hearing the news that it could be several more weeks Brant has been able to go back to work a bit. We timed the distance this morning and when running, it takes him 8 minutes to get from his office into my room (even through security) so we are both pretty comfortable with that timing. I guess this is just one more benefit to being at the UofC hospital rather than somewhere he would have to drive. To me, a hospital room is a hospital room - so as long as I am getting good care, it doesn't matter where I am physically located within Chicago.
32 weeks 6 days 18 hours: Not that I'm counting
of course everything is still subject to change but here is the latest...
The current plan is to keep me on the medicine to control contractions for another couple days while I am in the maternity bedrest section of the hospital. After a couple days (how many days is a couple anyway?) I will discontinue the medicine and see how things progress naturally. More than likely within a couple of days of discontinuing the medicine our little ones will be born - my guess is within the 33rd week which starts tomorrow (6/2) - but you never know.
For now, in the bedrest section of this hospital things are pretty good. Since my monitoring is down to once a day, I am much less of a science experiment than previously now only connected to medical devices on my legs as opposed to the 7 different places before. These leg warmer styled contraptions help prevent blood clots - but these I can disconnect myself. I am not really allowed to leave the room, but I get to use the restroom and I think my personal goal for tomorrow is a shower! Brant has even graduated from a couch pretending to be a bed to a full cot - so I think that is a nice treat for him too.
As a side note, one of my tasks for this weekend (before everything happened) was create the list of people to be notified once the crew is born. Unfortunately, this list was never generated so we will do our best, but please don't be insulted if you find out via blog - my personal emails are inaccessible to me in the hospital.
The current plan is to keep me on the medicine to control contractions for another couple days while I am in the maternity bedrest section of the hospital. After a couple days (how many days is a couple anyway?) I will discontinue the medicine and see how things progress naturally. More than likely within a couple of days of discontinuing the medicine our little ones will be born - my guess is within the 33rd week which starts tomorrow (6/2) - but you never know.
For now, in the bedrest section of this hospital things are pretty good. Since my monitoring is down to once a day, I am much less of a science experiment than previously now only connected to medical devices on my legs as opposed to the 7 different places before. These leg warmer styled contraptions help prevent blood clots - but these I can disconnect myself. I am not really allowed to leave the room, but I get to use the restroom and I think my personal goal for tomorrow is a shower! Brant has even graduated from a couch pretending to be a bed to a full cot - so I think that is a nice treat for him too.
As a side note, one of my tasks for this weekend (before everything happened) was create the list of people to be notified once the crew is born. Unfortunately, this list was never generated so we will do our best, but please don't be insulted if you find out via blog - my personal emails are inaccessible to me in the hospital.
32 weeks: Movin' on up!
We are moving up in the world.... up a floor at least. Kari's been transferred to a longer-term area where she has less frequent monitoring. The babies are doing great, still waiting to be born. We'll update again when something interesting happens.
32 weeks: OK, now it's June!
Phew! We have officially made it to June!
Kari's doing well, and I'm fine as well. The babies have yet to be delivered, but could come really at any moment. We'll update again when we know more.
Kari's doing well, and I'm fine as well. The babies have yet to be delivered, but could come really at any moment. We'll update again when we know more.
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