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.

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.

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.

32 weeks: But it's not June yet!

Now at 32 weeks, 5 days, on May 31st, Brant is guest blogging for Kari. We're currently at the University of Chicago Medical Center in the Labor and Delivery Ward. Kari started having strong contractions Friday night and we came straight here. She and the babies are fine, and she has yet to deliver, but we are currently admitted into the hospital and look forward to a likely regiment of bedrest and flavored ices. Wish us luck, and we'll post again when there's a better idea as to the timeline! By the way, the best way we've discovered to give Kari strong contractions is talking on the phone. Feel free to call Brant and chat with him if you like.

31 weeks: High maintenance

If you thought I was high maintenance before, you have no idea how much more I have become (insert 'Poor Brant' here). Everything, and I mean everything, is exhausting these days. Just sitting up on my way to the restroom I have to pause to catch my breath before I can even think about standing. Mental note to self for future: Don't gain 65lbs and expect to be able to do anything.

I have included a picture of my non stress test this week as I find the chaos that is my belly entertaining. A non stress test makes sure that the babies heart rates are fluctuating properly while I am resting and so far, things look pretty good. But let's talk about the necessary equipment needed to get this test done on me these days.

There is a pod per baby - in the picture Alpha is the lowest and pink, Beta is blue and to my left while Gamma is the highest and pink. No, the colors don't mean anything (nice try). There is also another blue pod which is higher up on my belly to monitor contractions - notice that you can't even seen this pod because my belly is SO gigantic. Also connected to my body is an oxygen saturation monitor on my finger. Then there is a button, a button I am supposed to push whenever I feel a baby move - now let's remember that I have three babies inside and that I am not good at video games. I'm afraid my ability to hit the button each time a baby moves was rather unsuccessful, but it helps pass the time (approx 20 min). Maybe I should have just held down the button nonstop - perhaps something to consider next week. So you are thinking to yourself, wow - that is a lot of equipment. Well then I have to add the high maintenance part. The machine only allows two babies to be monitored at a time, so I have to hook up to two separate machines. Then there are the babies....maybe it isn't me that is high maintenance but the babies. Brant was put to work holding the pod on Alpha at a certain angle as Alpha continued to squirm in order to keep the results consistent regardless of movement. Apparently, Beta also wanted this attention and was trying to hide from the pod, so the nurse had to hold that pod in place the whole time. So picture it, two machines, 6 cords going from me to these machines, Brant and the nurse holding the pods in place and finally myself trying to push a button each time someone moved. Needless to say I think I was the most interesting non stress test the nurse had done in a while.

While doing my home monitoring this week, I have also reached my maximum allowance two separate days - 5 contractions per hour. The nurses keep reminding me that this is to be expected and not necessarily an indicator of going into labor. Little do they know, that I hope to make it several more weeks if not a month. Regardless reaching my maximum allowance is a bit scary. If I get 6 of more contractions an hour then I must re-monitor for another hour to confirm the number and then my doctor gets a phone call and I likely go into the hospital. Of course, even if I go into the hospital it doesn't mean that I am going to deliver, it (hopefully) just means that I need to be more closely watched. And being as though 32 weeks is the average gestation for triplets - and my 32 weeks starts Tuesday 5/26 - I guess it is to be expected that things are getting a little cramped in there - but as I have mentioned previously, I have no interest in being average.

30 weeks: House arrest

During my sister's final day in Chicago, she spent the time doing baby laundry and helping to prepare the crib for our little ones. It seems that we are semi-prepared although I'm sure once everyone actually arrives we will quickly identify the holes in our preparation.

On Thursday we went to our doctor appointments where we had an ultrasound w/ weight estimates, a non stress test, and a normal meeting with the doctor. The ultrasound showed that everyone had good and proper growth with Alpha 3lbs 5oz, Beta 3lbs 8oz, and Gamma 3lbs 8 oz. I would just like to point out that their weights total 10lbs 5oz - of just baby - in my belly. I'm sure you can imagine how big I must feel. To do the estimates they measure the skull and belly circumference as well as a leg bone. Brant noticed that each baby has a belly circumference of about 10 inches - which seems huge when looking at my belly. I have a total weight gain of 61lbs but being as my goal is 75lbs, I have a bit more to go. The normal growth for babies at this stage is 1/2lb a week - so we are hoping to get everyone to 5lbs which nicely ties out to our June goal as well.

The doctor has now put me on what I would like to call 'House Arrest'. I am not supposed to stand up or walk anymore than necessary and instead spend as much time as possible laying on my side. This of course then limits my ability to type or even craft for that matter. My feet and hands but not ankle or wrists have begun to swell a bit - but Brant nicely tries to suggest that perhaps it is due to the 60+ pounds I have put on - who knows. Honestly, it doesn't matter to me as long as the babies keep growing.

29 weeks: Spoiled!

My sister came out to visit and entertain me while in my lame state. During her time here, she, my mom and Nicole threw a baby shower for us and all of our little ones - and wow our little ones are spoiled. Using a webcam we were able to include Seattle folks - my mom, Kim (and Rob who was roped in semi-willingly). Everything was coordinated between the two locations, they had the same plates and game supplies - it was rather impressive. My poor sister dragged an entire large suitcase out here full of goodies. Those of us in Chicago also had a great time just being able to be together. Since I am not allowed to travel, people travelled from Kentucky, Indiana and Chicago to help us celebrate - it was wonderful. It is beginning to feel like these babies might actually arrive someday (but not before June) and when they do - they will be well dressed and spoiled!

Just after the shower ended while Brant, Kelly and I were all recuperating, we starting smelling some sort of chemical. Turns out that the apartment downstairs was having their floors re-stained. Due to the fine construction of our home (insert sarcasm here) the smell got to be too much even for Brant let alone me. Once we learned they planned to do another coat Sunday morning, we knew we had to vacate the apartment. I have been trying hard to stay away from chemicals during my pregnancy and I wasn't about to pass out from them now. When evacuating the house, Kelly grabbed a bunch of food left over from the shower to bring to the hotel. I woke up in the morning for one of my many restroom visits and was starving. I spotted some donuts in our pile of food and knew that I must have them...but how with Brant and Kelly still sleeping in the dark room? I grabbed the donut box and my water and rushed into the restroom to begin my first breakfast of the day. I burst out laughing at myself several times while enjoying the donuts sitting in the bathroom alone - definitely glad there wasn't a camera for that pregnancy moment. We ended up staying at a hotel Saturday night and were able to return to our smell free home late Sunday afternoon.

After all the goodies that we were spoiled with during the shower, the next most obvious thing seemed to be to get a crib. I had insisted that I wasn't ready for this in previous weeks when Brant attempted to tell me it was time. Even though our kids won't be home for a while (regardless of when they are born) neither of us would want to be out tracking down a crib after they arrive. Somehow, Brant and my sister teamed up to convince me this was a good idea to get now and they went out Sunday night and got the crib Brant and I had been spying and assembled it in our bedroom.

Just as I was coming to terms with the crib in the bedroom, the next day they teamed up again to convince me that we needed to make sure we had all key items on hand since we really had no idea when everyone will be born. I was sure that I wasn't ready for this, but I was outnumbered and trapped at home. Brant and Kelly went out to Babiesrus to pick up a couple of the remaining items that we wanted to be prepared (including a crib mattress). So I guess now we are really ready - or as ready as we can be knowing that we have hopefully 7 more weeks to get to our goal of 36 weeks.

28 weeks: Ode to my belly button

We had another doctor appointment this week. It turns out that I lost 5lbs (not good), which isn't a huge surprise being as though I had trouble eating for a good week or so. Even once I was feeling better it takes time to rebuild the stamina to eat as much as I need to each day. I guess I am again in training like people in those competitive eating contests - who knows...maybe I will start a tofu hot dog eating contest :)

In response to my weight loss the doctor suggested that I sit down with a tub of ice cream and 'go at it'. While this seems like a suggestion most would be thrilled about, all that sugar makes the kids go crazy and I am left with a gymnastics competition in my belly for a good hour or so after this consumption - but hey at least we know everyone is doing well by their activity level. We also got an extra (unplanned) ultrasound to make sure everyone was ok - and they were. I'm not sure if it was because this ultrasound was squeezed into the daily schedule or if the tech was having a terrible day, but wow - she was not able to handle the chaos that is my belly very well. She even had to call in another tech to identify which baby was Beta vs. Gamma even though Brant and I were very clear. As challenged as the tech was, at least we got to verify that everyone is doing well.

Starting week 30 (5/12), I will begin going to the doctor every week. At each appointment I will have a non-stress test, a biophysical ultrasound and a doctor visit. I guess this means we are getting close. While I maintain my goal of just getting to June (we can adjust this goal once we get that far) my doctor suggested I schedule appointments out until the end of June which is when I would be 36 weeks. So he continues with his goal for me of 36 weeks. Keep in mind the average gestation for triplets is 32 weeks, but of course Brant and I have no interest in nearly meeting the average goal, we wish to smash it. On 6/2, I will be 33 weeks and while the longer they keep growing the better, I will be thankful just getting to June and for every week thereafter.

On a crafting note, I have completed two of the three blankets that I am making - I will post a picture once I am done with all three. This is about all I can do each day, eat, rest and attempt to craft - needless to say crafting has fallen a bit behind schedule but I WILL finish all three blankets!

sometimes boredom sets in and my mind begins to wonder - this is one of those times
ode to my belly button:

I have never seen inside of you so well before
yet I can no longer see below you
and I wonder what prompted you to transform in this manner

you used to be an innie, round, cute, and firm
but now you are more of an outie, oval shaped and look a bit like a caldera

will you go back to an innie? or will you stay as an outie?
only time will tell
for now, I think the kids enjoy treating you as a 'target' while practicing soccer
and as my days grow less active, I admit I do enjoy the surprise of how you transform as the day progresses
eventually, you will have to make up your mind as to your final state
but for now, as with all part of my belly, enjoy your freedom and flexibility
we will take up this debate again in a couple months.