Just a quick update this week...
We had an ultrasound on Friday and all looks good. It was just a quick scan to check the length of my cervix, which is behaving nicely thank goodness and to check that the babies are sharing the nutrients well and also to check the amniotic fluid levels around each baby. With identical twins and in our case triplets, there is a large concern for what is referred to as twin to twin transfusion syndrome (or as the doctor said Friday triplet to triplet) which is when the babies develop communicating blood vessels between them vs just to and from the placenta as they should. This would result in one baby being very large and the others being much smaller, as a result one would have too much fluid to manage causing risk for kidney failure or congestive heart failure as well as hydrocephalus, while the other (or others) would have too little fluid causing poor urine output, kidney issues, anemia, decreased blood pressure and also a possibility for hypovolemic stroke. Scary stuff. There are cutting edge treatments out there, such as laser surgery if this occurs prior to the time when the babies could be safely delivered, otherwise treatment is to deliver the babies if it happens past the 26 week mark. Our doctor was very concerned when she initially diagnosed the triplets as being identical, but thankfully there are no signs of TTTS at this point. Please pray that this continues to not be an issue and that the babies share nicely! Our doctor was very pleased with how the triplets look and she's excited to find out if they are girls or boys at the next appointment on February 10th! We can't wait to find out either!!!
On another note, we watched "Life As We Know It" this weekend and saw at the end that the toddler was played by 3 actresses, turns out they are identical triplets! So, we know we always have a future in show biz! ;-)
Hopefully the next update will continue to have positive things to say, and I hope to be announcing the gender then too! Please pray that these little ones stay healthy and keep growing!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
15 Weeks Already
We are already having Dr. visits and ultrasounds every two weeks. We did that near the end with Maddy, but that was near the end. This is still the beginning. Or so we hope.
While seeing our unborn children every other week is exciting, it has its own emotional drain on us. We are already sleeping less, and feeling more fatigued. Jen keeps telling me that she's growing three people. I don't have that excuse.
Aside from having three identical babies, there have not yet been any alarming findings. Babies A, B and C are all measuring normally for gestational age, and the Dr. we saw this week actually called Jennifer boring. She is having to deal with gestational diabetes (we found out she, um, didn't pass the test), but her sugars have been held in check with diet so far.
Jen has been reading a number of books, as she usually does. I have even resorted to reading one, and all it's done has scared me. I'll leave it at that. That's what I get for reading...
In my typical male fashion, I have been obsessed with crossing a few big things off of our list. We now have car seats for 2 of the 3 kids, a vehicle that can hold them all, and 2 cribs set up in the nursery.
I also must say that the number of offers for help, cribs, car seats, mattresses, and everything else has been a blessing to us already. So thank you for that.
While seeing our unborn children every other week is exciting, it has its own emotional drain on us. We are already sleeping less, and feeling more fatigued. Jen keeps telling me that she's growing three people. I don't have that excuse.
Aside from having three identical babies, there have not yet been any alarming findings. Babies A, B and C are all measuring normally for gestational age, and the Dr. we saw this week actually called Jennifer boring. She is having to deal with gestational diabetes (we found out she, um, didn't pass the test), but her sugars have been held in check with diet so far.
Jen has been reading a number of books, as she usually does. I have even resorted to reading one, and all it's done has scared me. I'll leave it at that. That's what I get for reading...
In my typical male fashion, I have been obsessed with crossing a few big things off of our list. We now have car seats for 2 of the 3 kids, a vehicle that can hold them all, and 2 cribs set up in the nursery.
I also must say that the number of offers for help, cribs, car seats, mattresses, and everything else has been a blessing to us already. So thank you for that.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! I have a feeling that this year will bring us exciting changes as well as lots of challenges! January marks the start of what looks to be lots of doctors visits. After finding out that the babies are identical the perinatologist wants to keep a very close eye on these little ones, so an appointment with ultrasound is scheduled for every other week from now until mid February. It will be nice to get to know "A, B, and C" well before we actually get to meet them.
This week marks the official start of the second trimester and holds the first of multiple preeclampsia screens, which will occur at least once each trimester. Also, Friday morning is the first glucose tolerance test. I am not looking forward to this test as the thought of drinking the orange yuck turns my stomach and I get to do this after fasting and then get to sit for 3 hours after the fact with nothing to get rid of that horrid flavor. Sounds like fun! I've already been loosely following the gestational diabetes diet because both my OB and the perinatologist have informed me of my impending "doom" i.e. a gestational diabetes diagnosis. I had GD while pregnant with Madelynn, so that combined with the current pregnancy being multiples I am almost certain to have it again, which is why they are testing so early.
After receiving the results of the test I will be meeting with a dietitian to discuss the GD diet for multiples and to help me improve calorie intake. I have not been able to gain any weight and have actually been losing weight, which in a singleton pregnancy is ok, but when carrying higher order multiples it is not ideal. Due to the possibility of preterm labor, doctors like to see mothers of multiples gain weight sooner and at a higher rate than they would otherwise see. I'm trying to remember to eat snacks throughout the day, but I've had absolutely no appetite and have been very nauseous. I'm praying that with the start of the second trimester that improves!
We have the official gender check/anatomy scan on February 10th, but I'm hoping we may find out if these little ones are boys or girls sooner! I really have no inclination as to what gender they may be so I am looking forward to the surprise!
On really cool thing about triplets... I've already felt them moving around and protesting when I squish them! It's really cool to be able to feel them already! I'm sure it is going to feel like a crazy party in there before too long!
This week marks the official start of the second trimester and holds the first of multiple preeclampsia screens, which will occur at least once each trimester. Also, Friday morning is the first glucose tolerance test. I am not looking forward to this test as the thought of drinking the orange yuck turns my stomach and I get to do this after fasting and then get to sit for 3 hours after the fact with nothing to get rid of that horrid flavor. Sounds like fun! I've already been loosely following the gestational diabetes diet because both my OB and the perinatologist have informed me of my impending "doom" i.e. a gestational diabetes diagnosis. I had GD while pregnant with Madelynn, so that combined with the current pregnancy being multiples I am almost certain to have it again, which is why they are testing so early.
After receiving the results of the test I will be meeting with a dietitian to discuss the GD diet for multiples and to help me improve calorie intake. I have not been able to gain any weight and have actually been losing weight, which in a singleton pregnancy is ok, but when carrying higher order multiples it is not ideal. Due to the possibility of preterm labor, doctors like to see mothers of multiples gain weight sooner and at a higher rate than they would otherwise see. I'm trying to remember to eat snacks throughout the day, but I've had absolutely no appetite and have been very nauseous. I'm praying that with the start of the second trimester that improves!
We have the official gender check/anatomy scan on February 10th, but I'm hoping we may find out if these little ones are boys or girls sooner! I really have no inclination as to what gender they may be so I am looking forward to the surprise!
On really cool thing about triplets... I've already felt them moving around and protesting when I squish them! It's really cool to be able to feel them already! I'm sure it is going to feel like a crazy party in there before too long!
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