32 Weeks Doctor's Appointment Part 2 with a Little Suprise

Derek and I had fun with another couple sitting next to us in the waiting room today. They asked me if this was our first baby.  This is one of my favorite questions people ask because my response is, "No, it's our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th."  I get a look of confusion and shock as they process what that means.  This particular couple was waiting for their first ultrasound.  The same tech who did our first ultrasound came to get them.  We told them to be careful because she was the one who told us we were having triplets.  They laughed nervously as they followed the tech to the ultrasound room.  When they came back they were quick to tell us it was just one baby.

Baby A's Profile

Baby B's Profile

Baby C has hair!!!!

My appointment went well.  My regular OB was at a different office so I saw the on-call doctor.  He was happy with my progress and then told us that I would be going to the hospital right then to have a Non-Stress Test.  We were taken of guard as we heard this news.  The doctor and nurse reassured us that nothing was wrong.  This is a rountine weekly test they perform starting at 32 weeks with all pregnancies of multiples.  What we couldn't figure out is why our regular OB had not even mentioned this test to us.  Derek quickly got on the phone and rearranged his schedule so he could go with me to the hospital.  They also could not tell us how long the test would take because it depends on the babies and their cooperation.  The nurse got a wheel chair and wheeled me from the doctor's office over to Labor and Delivery for the test.

A Non-Stress test consists of putting all three babies on fetal heart monitors as well as a contraction monitor for me.  Finding all three babies heartbeats and keeping them on the monitors is no easy task.  It took two monitoring machines because the ones in the L&D rooms can only monitor two babies heartrates at a time.  It was quite a sight to see four monitors strapped to my belly!  One of the nurses had to sit on the bed with me a hold Baby C's monitor at a strange angle to keep him on the monitor.  They monitored their heart rates and my contractions for about 30 minutes. The babies' heartrates are supposed to stay between 120-160.  They also look for certain peaks in their hear rates.  This test allows them to tell if the babies are getting enough oxygen and if they are under any stress.  The babies all did great! They also look to see how much I'm contracting.  I only had one real contraction while on the monitors, but she did say I have an "irritable uterus" probably due to it being overstretched by three babies.  Totally normal in my situation and nothing to worry about.  It was a long day.  We arrived at the doctor's office at 9:00am and left about 12:00pm, but we were glad to know the babies were all doing great!  I guess we can look forward to the same test next Friday, but atleast we'll have a heads up.

Specialist's Measurement Ultrasound

I am so excited we made it to this appointment.  I remember when they scheduled it a month ago after our last measurement ultrasound. All I could think was June 28 seemed so far away, but it was one of my goals to make it to the appointment.  I have made lots of small goals along the way and I am so proud everytime I reach one. 
My little sister, Jordan, arrived in town yesterday afternoon.  Ben was at school so she came along to see her future nephews on ultrasound.  She will be staying with us until sometime in early August when she has to return to college.  She will be a junior and starting the nursing program this fall.  I am so glad she is here.  It's great to be able to spend time with her and I know she will be a big help around our house.

The babies have grown so much it was difficult to get their measurements.  I am glad we have such a great ultrasound tech, who worked hard to get the most accurate measurements possible.  In order to get their estimated weights, she measures the diameter and circumference of their heads, the circumference of their bellies, and the length of their femur bones.  It was also neat to see the change in the development of their brains since a month ago.  We were so relieved to hear they are all growing well and that no one is falling behind in growth.  They are growing right on target for their gestational age as compared to a singleton baby.  We were told again these are big triplets!

Estimated Weights at 32 weeks:
Baby A: 4 lbs. 3 ozs.
Baby B: 4 lbs. 2 ozs.
Baby C: 4 lbs. 5 ozs.

= over 12 lbs. of baby!!

32 Weeks

32 Weeks!  Another big goal met!  Every day and week I make it longer is a victory for our babies.  Many of you may be wondering what it feels like to be 32 weeks pregnant with triplets.  Suprisingly, I am not miserable.  At 5'11'', my height and long torso has given me a huge advantage when it comes to being pregnant with three babies.  I am most comfortable laying down on my side.  Standing, sitting up, or walking can become uncomfortable quickly depending on how the babies are positioned.  If I were not on doctor prescribed bed rest, I would be spending most of my time laying down regardless.  Some days my belly is sensitive or itchy from the rapid growth. I deal with the same struggles that most women at the end of their pregnancy deal with such as: difficultly get up from the couch or bed, rolling over from side to side, and getting dressed.  Luckily, I have not suffered from any swelling even in this extreme heat.  However, this week I have begun to experience some tingling/numbness in my hands, especially at night.  I feel extremely blessed to be feeling this well at this stage in my pregnancy.  Derek even commented the other day that he was suprised at how well I am doing.  Only a few more weeks to go!

How far along: 32 Weeks

Weight gain/loss: 2 lbs gained. Net weight gained: 46 lbs

Maternity clothes: Yes, but with my rapidly growing belly and long torso my maternity wardrobe is quickly diminishing.

Sleep: Ok...frequent trips to the bathroom.  It has become difficult to roll over from side to side.

Best moment this week: My little sister is here to stay until the beginning of August.

Miss Anything? Missing out on gatherings or parties with my friends because I'm on bed rest.
Movement: Yes, they are beginning to get very crowded.  I frequently feel body parts pushing on my stomach as they move and roll over.
Food cravings: pizza
Anything making you queasy or sick: Prenatal vitamins: very rarely, but unfortunately it still happens.
Have you started to show yet? Measuring 48cm+, my uterus is so far up under my ribs the dr can't get an accurate measurement. 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy
Looking forward to:  Meeting my baby boys....

32 Weeks Doctor's Appointment Part 1

We've made it to 32 weeks!  The doctor's appointment went very well.  Not very much change since Friday.  My cervix shortened a little to 1.8 cm and is still 1 cm dialated.  Now that I've made it to 32 weeks they will no longer be measuring my cervix by ultrasound, but the doctor will continue to check it.  We will continue to have ultrasounds 2x a week to check the babies heartrates and fluid levels.

The elevator ride to the doctor's office was fun.  A man asked me how many weeks I had left and I replied, "I am 32 weeks"  Everyone stares at me with a confused look as they glance again at my very pregnant belly and I add,  "with triplets"  I love watching the reactions of people when I tell them.  Everyone in the elevator was in complete shock as they picked their jaws up off the floor.  Derek got a kick out of hearing one of the couples in the waiting room talk about what they would do if they found out they were having triplets.  They had no idea he was the father because he was parking the car, while we were in the elevator.  People's reactions to us having triplets still amuses us.

Video Interview with Mommy

Derek wanted to do a video interview to document the pregnancy up to this point.  I think next time we need to do a video interview of Daddy.  Click on the link below to see:

Video interview with Mommy

Color Coding

If you know me, you know I love things to be organized.  I have read lots of advice about raising triplets and one very important tip I keep reading is to be organized.  One way we are going to do this is to assign each baby a color.  We plan to paint one toenail of each baby with their coresponding color.  This will help us and any volunteers keep each baby straight.   I also have bottle labels with each baby's name in the coresponding color, so I can easily chart how much they are eating.  They might occassionally be dressed in these colors or have certain items in these colors, but I don't plan to go overboard.  Its main purpose is for organization and identifying babies in the beginning.

The Triplet's Colors
Chase- Red
Ryan- Green
Tyler- Blue

31 Weeks Doctor's Appointment Part 2

We continue to get a good report from the doctor.  The babies' heart rates are strong and their fluid levels look great.  My cervix lengthened since Tuesday from a 2 to 2.2cm!  I am 1cm dilated, but my doctor was not concerned because my cervix is so long and he says it could stay at 1 cm for weeks.  I somehow escaped gaining any weight this week.  Derek can't figure out how that happened because I eat constantly.  My appetite is very good, which is great for the babies. I belly is measuring 48+ cm.  The doctor can no longer get an accurate measurement because my uterus is so far up under my ribs.  This is also where Baby C likes to hang out.  I return to the doctor Tuesday and on Thursday we go to the specialist for a growth measurement.  I can't wait to see how they've grown!

Baby B's Profile

Look at Baby B's pouty lips!

Baby C's Profile