28 Weeks: Into the 3rd Trimester

This Week's Developments
* A singleton baby should weigh around 2.25 lbs and measure 14.8 in long by now
* The girls are blinking their eyes which sport eyelashes and may be able to see light that filters through my womb
* Neurons continue to develop in their brains at a fast rate

So I spoke with my specialist about last week's ultrasound on Monday. My main questions were what were her thoughts on their sizes, at what point would they consider taking them out if one was too growth restricted, when would we start doing longer heart rate monitoring sessions, when my next ultrasound would be, and would we be doing more steroids. When her elderly partner came to see me the day after the ultrasound, he had not even reviewed my ultrasound or known about it, and after I told him he could find it in my chart, his answers to all of my very specific questions were "uh, we are just going to keep doing what we are doing...we are just going to keep them in there until 34 weeks." He also forgets who I am every time he sees me and reintroduces himself. Honestly, how many triplet moms do you have staying in the hospital? I know for a fact I am the only triplet mom in their practice right now.

So when I called my specialist Monday with my questions, she answered them in much more depth after stating "So, I hear you don't like talking to Dr. X." I kind of brushed off her comment as I didn't want to talk negatively to her about her partner. She always puts things bluntly, and that might offend some people, but I can look past it and almost appreciate it since she is so amazing at her job. So when she looked at the babies' weights, especially C, she said "yeah they are puny." She said as long as they are growing some, we will leave them in there, and if they become too growth restricted, she would not consider taking them out until 30 weeks at the earliest. She said that my next growth scan would be 2 weeks after the last one (next Friday at 29 weeks, 1 day), and that we would be increasing the heart rate monitoring of the babies from a couple minutes twice a day to 20 minutes twice today. She also said around 29 weeks I will get another round of steroids. The longer heart monitoring will allow the doctors to see trends, establish a baseline heart rate for each baby, and check for the presence of heart rate accelerations concurrent with movement that are good. So far all three babies have shown some evidence of these accelerations, and they should demonstrate more as they get further along. I also got another rhogam shot this week.

Here is a picture of my belly with three heart monitors and a contraction monitor hooked up to it. These girls don't make it easy to get 20 consecutive minutes of monitoring with all their kicking and moving around!!



The bane of my week has been my clogged left ear. Lying down to shower has caused my ears to fill up with water each time and get deep into my ear canals and there is not much I can do to get it out. After last Friday's shower when my left ear was still clogged, I had Brent bring me earplugs for future showers but my ear got worse every day following to where it felt like I had a permanent ear plug in my ear and was absolutely miserable. I was finally seen by an ENT today who was able to unclog it for the most part using twirled up tissues and the blunt in of a cotton swab with some tissue paper on it. Hallelujah!

I have had several visitors this week. My friend Lauren works on the 4th floor here so stops by before work sometimes and came over to watch the premiere of the Bachelor on Monday with some homemade cookies, delicious! My friend Brittany was also able to stop by on Saturday since she was home for the weekend from Texas and it is always a treat to see her! I also was visited by my head pastor who is so kind and wonderful to talk to and who reminds me of my father. I told him that and about my Dad and he hopes to meet him when my parents are in town! My friend from work, Lee, also came to visit with loads of chocolate candy bars, yum :) As I am writing this blog, I was just visited by a man with two large hand puppets who delivered a special heartfelt message to the girls from a best friend from home, Betina. It just made my day! Thanks everyone!

A bit of a funny story...Brent and I had been squeezed onto my bed playing a game on the ipad and I had gotten up to go to the bathroom. At the time, the room phone was closer to the little couch and I needed to order dinner, so I laid down on the couch to make my order before going back to the bed. The OT walked in right about then and did a double take when she saw a man lying in the patient bed of the Perinatal ICU and the pregnant lady squeezed onto the small couch. "That's not something we see every day!" she exclaimed and we all started laughing. I assured her that my husband hadn't kicked me out of my own bed and that I was on my way back after I couldn't convince her that he was the pregnant one :)

Here are some 28 weeks shots:






Total Weight Gain: ~46 lbs

27 Weeks: Grateful for Every Day!

This weeks developments:
* The girls should weigh almost 2 lbs (the size of a head of cauliflower) and be around 14.5 in long (see below for actual weights)
* They are sleeping and waking at regular intervals
* They are opening and closing their eyes and sucking on their fingers
* Their brains are very active now as they continue to develop rapidly

It has now been a little over a week in the hospital and so far so good. The cart showers turned out to be not so bad as I am able to lay on the cart and use a handheld shower head to bathe without any assistance (which was the part I was dreading!). The food is getting old already, but an OT taught me that there is a number I can call to hear the daily cafeteria menu and I can usually order from that as well which has helped a lot with getting a little variety! I can't complain about the room, and I could go on and on about the wonderful nursing staff! I found out today that my application for free 15 min massages (vs $1/min) was approved, so I should be able to get those twice a week which will hopefully help with a lot of my upper back/rib pain from being bed bound and growing. I am so thankful for my iPad, and almost had a nervous breakdown when the Internet went down for half a day yesterday, for what would I do without it?! In the past week, through my father's Amazon Prime video on demand, I have watched almost all of the first 3 seasons of Grey's Anatomy. That is 60 episodes. I think that must be some kind of record! Brent stops by when he can and squeezes onto the bed with me to play 2 player iPad games and eat meals together here and there. His parents (true Godsends) just left to drive back to New York, but his mom is so sweet to be flying right back next Thursday to stay through Feb 5th to allow Brent to spend more time with me by helping out at the house and with the dogs and to be there on weekends when he starts traveling to track meets every weekend starting next week.

I have been so touched by our church, Wesley UMC. Throughout my home bedrest, some of the ladies made us some meals and donated some baby items. This week a lady from church dropped off a handmade blanket that is so soft and beautiful with a wonderful message/scripture attached and said they were working on some baby items too! Brent is modeling it below! I missed a visit yesterday while showering but a church visitor left an inspirational message and my pastor came by today and left a note while I was receiving my first free massage.



I waited until today to do this blog so we would have the ultrasound results from the first growth scan we have had since 23 weeks 6 days. The good news is the girls have all grown. Personally, I was hoping all 3 would be at or above 2 lbs, so I was disappointed with the growth of A and C but I have no idea what the specialist thinks about their growth-good/bad- since the tech came to see me in my room. If I don't have a visit from the specialist over the weekend I will call her office on Monday to try to get her thoughts on the results and find out when we will recheck.

Results are as follows (all Amniotic Fluid measurements and heart rates were within normal limits and the percentiles are a compared to twins):

Baby A: HR 147, AF 4.7 cm, Weight estimate: 1 lb 13 oz (up 8 oz since 3 weeks ago)= 5-25th percentile
Baby B: HR 159, AF 7.2 cm, weight: 2 lb 1 oz (+10 oz)= < 25th percentile
Baby C: HR 136, AF 3.2 cm, weight 1 lb 10 oz (+5 oz)= < 5th percentile

My wonderful Aunt Diane sent me a stand for my iPad today that makes it so much easier to use and watch shows on my iPad while on bedrest since I can put it in so many different positions! I think it may help with some of my pains by helping me position better too! I used it to write my blog and look forward to watching many many more episodes of Grey's with it too! :)

Here are the 27 week belly shots from yesterday, and I had Brent bring in my scale! One triplet mama who was not familiar with the sequential compression devices on my legs was mortified that I was tethered to the bed and wondered if it was a requirement to keep me compliant with bedrest :) I assure you they are removable, yet very annoying. I am allowed to remove them at night, lest I would not get ANY sleep.


Total weight gain: 44 lbs
We are really praying that these girls stay in there several more weeks and grow big and strong and grow fast! We appreciate your prayers, especially for C to not fall too far behind and pick up the pace with her weight gain :)

26 week +1 Day Hospital Update

Just wanted to briefly update:
Not great news today. While my cervix is still 1.2 cm long and closed externally, it was even more dynamic internally at around 1.7 cm dilated. I will be in the hospital until delivery. I have to continue with the bedside commode and start showering with assistance lying on a cart in the shower (these girls better appreciate this one day! :) ). So worried about these bubbas, but giving it to God and doing whatever I can control. B and C have already started showing signs of breathing activity which is very good, though, for this gestation (normally not detected on ultrasound until 28 weeks) and FFN came back negative (meaning high likelihood I will not go into labor within the next 7-10 days. Many prayers appreciated!

Again, I would love visitors, just give me a heads up and/or knock first and wait for confirmation to enter please so I can be decent! Thanks!!

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Location:Cox PICU

26 Weeks: Back in the Hospital!

This Week's Developments:
*The girls can hear mine and Brent's voices now (and others I converse with) instead of just me!
* They are inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid to develop the lungs
* They continue to put on fat and probably weigh about 1.75 lbs each and are 14 inches long (about the length of an English Hothouse Cucumber- whatever that is!)

I will try to keep it brief as it is hard to blog lying so flat in a hospital bed! As I predicted in last week's blog, my cervical changes noted at this Wednesday's visit were enough to put me back in the PICU for at least a few days. My specialist was back this week and I was so happy to see her! While the length of my cervix didn't go down a whole lot from last week, it had significant dynamic changes meaning the inside part (where A keeps her head all the time) has increased funneling and some dilation while the external portion of the cervix remained closed. This concerned my specialist enough to put me on hospital bedrest at least until Friday to give them time to do 48 hours of toradol injections every 6 hours for contractions (I was having 6 the first hour I was admitted but since then only 2-3 an hour which is within the normal range, and still a lot of irritability as expected with triplets). I also had 2 doses of steroid injections 24 hours apart that are now in effect to mature the girls lungs if they come early in the next 30 days.

I will go back to the specialist's office tomorrow (hoping I won't see the new partner again and that my specialist will be there!) and they will recheck my cervix and determine if I should go home awhile longer or stay on at the hospital. I am almost scared to go home. It is so boring and uncomfortable here, but I feel it is a better place to be for the girls. I do trust my specialist's opinion, though (not so much her new partner's which is why I hope it won't be him!).

My uterus is pretty much measuring full term now compared to a singleton, so the changes I am experiencing at this point are inevitable and very common in triplet mommas. I have gained a lot of encouragement from my triplet groups online in that many women in this position still managed to keep them in there for many many more weeks (usually on hospital bedrest) and I hope that my body with the help of my doctors and your prayers will do the same. I really really want to get at least 4 more weeks to 30 weeks, and every week after that I will be counting my blessings!

The girls aren't too happy about the ultrasounds and dopplers and do not hesitate to kick back at the nurses pushing down with their devices! Here are some pics of the girls from Wednesday at 25 weeks 6 days:

Baby A: HR 138, Amniotic Fluid 4.2 cm (Normal= 2-8 cm)



Baby B: HR 150, AF 7.3 cm




Baby C (usual poor picture positioning) HR 138, AF 3.6 cm




26 Week Belly Shots






Not sure of current weight since I don't have a scale here!


Continued prayers much appreciated! If I am still here after tomorrow I would love visitors!! Please give me a heads up first or surprise me but make sure to knock first for entry conformation as I have been reduced to using a bedside commode for the time being! :)

25 Weeks: It's a Jungle in the Nursery!

This Week's Developments:
* Head to heels the girls should be around 13.5 inches long and weigh around 1.5 lbs each (the size of a rutabaga)
* The girls are starting to pack on some baby fat and growing more and more hair

This past week has had its ups and downs. Late Sunday night I felt that my usual contractions/uterine irritability grew stronger and closer together so we made a trip out to labor and delivery. They determined that I was having a lot of irritability but no more than 1-3 actual contractions an hour so were going to send me home without checking anything else. After some coaxing from a frustrated momma to be, they agreed to contact my specialist, who, as I suspected she would, wanted me to stay overnight for monitoring and do the FFN test and cervical check in the morning. The room I got wasn't nearly as nice as during my last stay and I was basically sleeping on what felt like a rock hard gurney. Morning finally came and thankfully my FFN test was negative, meaning there is at least a 90% chance that I will NOT go into labor within one to two weeks following the test. They do not have anyone in the hospital competent enough to do a cautious transvaginal ultrasound to check my cervix, so the nurse checked manually and it was still closed. The specialist wanted me to head home until my scheduled appointment Wednesday. I was SO happy to see my bed when I got home!

Wednesday morning we went in and I was not happy at all to discover that my cervix had shortened even faster than the previous few weeks and was down to 1.9 cm long (from 2.9 cm last week). My specialist was also out sick for the first time in 2 years so I had to see their new elderly partner who we had never met before and does not seem to be as up on things as my specialist. He said just to keep doing what I'm doing and they will see me back next Wednesday. Of course I am concerned about how much more length I may lose before then, but am praying for the best. I fully anticipate they may put me on hospital bedrest for the remainder of the pregnancy at that point if it has progressed any further over this next week. As much as that will suck, I know I will feel so much better having things monitored 24/7 with immediate interventions ready if necessary.
On a lighter note, my husband, with the help of his parents have pretty much finished putting together my vision for the nursery. Praying that we will end up being able to continue living here for many months to come so that the girls can enjoy it! Here are some pics:









Pictures of the girls from Wednesday (24 week, 6 days)!
Baby A Face Shot, HR 141

Baby B Usual Profile Shot, HR 133

Baby C Usual Upside Down Backwards Shot, HR 131

Belly Pics
A couple from Wednesday Before my Appointment-Almost out of maternity clothes that still fit!


And a couple from today officially at 25 weeks!


Total Weight Gain: 41 lbs, uterus measuring 36 weeks!
We really really appreciate continued prayers for the girls to remain in place for many weeks to come and to arrive healthy and strong as well as for our housing and my job security as we get further along. Thank you all so much!!
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24 Weeks: Officially into the Realm of Viability!

This Week's Developments:
* The girls are about as long as an ear of corn (see blog for actual weights!)
* Their brains are growing rapidly and taste buds continue to develop
* Their lungs are developing branches of the respiratory tree and cells that produce surfactant that will help air sacs in the lungs inflate once they are born

Sorry for the delay on this post! Yesterday was a stressful day due to non-pregnancy related issues. We found out from our leasing agent that our rental home's owner is filing for bankruptcy and we may have to move out as soon as within the next three months. The details are still very shady at this point and we are waiting to hear more from the leasing agent. Talk about the Worst. Timing. Ever. We have no idea what we will do but are keeping faith that God (and a little help from family and friends :) ) will bring us through whatever happens. My mother sent me a message: "Be still and trust God to see you through...He has a way of making things better than you could even begin to imagine" followed by a verse she read yesterday: Psalm 62:5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.Through prayer we are feeling more at peace about it today, and will try to take everything as it comes a day at a time.

Now on to happier news. As you know, my in-laws arrived last Friday and have been such a blessing to us. My Father-in-law loves to keep busy and has already reorganized our garage and is painting the whole nursery today (yes we realize the babies may never get to use it at this point depending on when we have to move out, but we will still set it up as it has been something we have been looking forward to for a long time!). Both of my in-laws have been waiting on me bringing me drinks and meals and my mother-in-law has kept up with all of our mounds of laundry and washed all of the girls clothes and is working on getting them all organized into their closet. We are so blessed to have them here while I am on full bedrest!

Also, on Saturday my two closest friends out here threw me an amazing baby shower at our home! I am so blessed to have them! They went above and beyond with their preparations, food, and hand made decorations!

Beautiful cake for my three little monkey girls!


Awesome handmade diaper cake formed with 93 diapers!!




Precious handmade mini monkey rattle diaper cakes each with one of the girls' names on it (there were 3 total:) )




Me with the 2 ladies who made it all happen!! (I promise I only got up for a few pics and bathroom breaks!)




It took us 2 shots to get everyone in the pics. Thank you all for coming!!







This is probably the only pregnancy pic I will ever have where I am actually dressed up!





Now on to what you have all been waiting for!! How was the anatomy scan on Wednesday (23 weeks, 6 days)???!!! It went very well! The girls all measured excellently. As you know, I was worried about A and C due to the marginal cord insertions, but they both weighed in at 1 lb 5 oz, and B weighed in at 1 lb 7 oz. As compared to a singleton pregnancy, they are within the 33-36th percentiles which is wonderful! My cervix did go down again a bit more than I would have liked this past week and measured in at 2.9 cm but still closed. I asked how short would it have to get for them to make me stay in the hospital and they said not until it is 1.5 cm or less or it starts to dilate. So I am hoping we can draw our time out at home at least another several weeks! As usual, C was not in position for a decent picture!

Monkey A: HR 156, 1 lb 5 oz




Monkey B: HR 163 (she was kicking up a storm!) 1lb 7 oz




Monkey C: HR 163 (also very active) 1 lb 5 oz




Belly Pics from Yesterday at 24 Weeks






Total Weight Gain: 37 lbs


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23 Weeks: A Lot To Look Forward To

This week's developments:
* The girls now have a well developed sense of movement, so too bad I can't dance around!
* They should be measuring around 11 inches long and weighing in at just over a pound each- the size of large mangos!
* We can see them move under my skin!
* Blood vessels in their lungs are developing to prepare for breathing
* Hearing is becoming much more keen and the inner ear is now fully developed

Yesterday, I had my first follow-up with the specialist since my release from the hospital. They are still happy with my cervix which was measuring 3.3 and closed today (anything over 2.5 is good). A is sitting closer to my cervix now so I had to pull up on my belly to get her out of the way for the measurements! At one point we saw her kick my cervix and I felt it, so now I know what it feels like when she does that. She did it twice last night so I picked her up until she left it alone :) Since I was meeting with my OB immediately following the specialist appointment, the specialist had me do the gestational diabetes 1-hour test so I could come back up and have my blood drawn after seeing him. I had not fasted that morning, but the NP said that it wouldn't matter so I chugged down the red sweet liquid and went on my way. After the blood draw she said she would only call me if the results were abnormal. Gestational diabetes is much more prevalent in women carrying multiples, especially with separate placentas, and we have three! After we got home I was woken from my nap by a call from a Cox number. Uh-oh. The NP said "Hey Paula, I know you were hoping not to hear from me." Ya got that right! Unfortunately I did not pass the 1-hour test. I had scored 166 and needed to score 140 or less. The good news is that most women who fail the 1-hour test do not end up having GD, but to make sure I will have to do a 2-hour test next Wednesday that will involve fasting and drinking a higher quantity of nastier liquids. I feel that I will pass, but appreciate prayers that we will not have to throw GD into the mix of other issues already facing a triplet pregnancy!

I am very excited for this weekend! My in-laws are arriving tomorrow and will most likely be able to stay through the beginning of January. It will be so nice to have some human company during the day when Brent is gone and some extra help preparing for the little ones as well! My mother-in-law texted my husband yesterday as they started out their journey from New York to Missouri, "Let Paula know that her maid and butler are on their way!" Also, my two closest friends I have made since moving out here are throwing us a baby shower at our place on Saturday and I can't wait to see some much missed faces from my life before bedrest while celebrating the 3 blessings growing in my belly! We are so blessed to have such amazing families and friends! I am sure we will have a lot of pictures for next week's blog!

We got some quick shots again of the girls during the specialist's visit. As usual, B is the model baby. A gave us a better shot than last week, but C is once again curled up with her back facing us! We have our anatomy scan next Wednesday which we always look forward to because we get to see the threelets for longer, and get an idea of how they are progressing growth-wise. Prayers for only good news next week!
Baby A, HR 133




Baby B, HR 147








Baby C, HR 156 (only showing us her spine as usual!!)




Belly Shots








Current Weight: 150 lbs
Total Weight Gain: 34 lbs
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