24wks with triplets…

Sorry for the delay in my post. I’ve been trying to rest and not do much of anything.

I had my MFM apt. on Friday at 24w2d. My IM was able to make it. Everything went well with measuring the babies and the u/s tech was able to get all the info on their hearts which was great. The fluid that’s measured in their brain all was great. Then he looked at my cervix with the abdominal wand and said “I need to take a closer look”. We’ve asked that if everything looks good on top then we don’t want the trans-vaginal u/s as it cost several hundred dollars extra.
The Dr. does the measurment and he measured 3 times and came up with 2.7cm, that’s a 1cm reduction from 4wks ago when he did it trans-vaginal (it was 3.7cm). 2wks ago it was done abdominally and was was still 3.7cm. He didn’t look very pleased. I’ve already had a reduction of work hrs from 50hrs a wk to 35hrs a wk and I sit as much as possible at work and at home I relax with my feet up most of the time. He asked what I did for work and I told him I sold cars…He looked surprised, but I told him 4wks ago at my 1st apt…..lol… I know he sees lots of people and can’t remember everything. He told me to follow up with my OB since my apt. was in 6 days. He’s not a fan of bed rest unless it’s warranted b/c it can add extra stress. I did find a website that backs up what he says as the new norm to follow.

So at 24w2d these little girls are:
Baby A- 24w0d 1lb 8oz
Baby B- 24w3d 1lb 8oz
Baby C- 23w2d 1lb 4oz
Cervix trans vaginally 2.7cm

How your baby’s growing:
Your baby’s growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at about 1 1/3 pounds. Since he’s almost a foot long (about the size of an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he’ll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing “branches” of the respiratory “tree” as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

As I wrote this earlier I was having quite a few Braxton Hicks contractions as I was sitting up. I called the hospital & talked to the triage nurse & she told me it was a good idea to come in so I can be checked especially since I had some cervix change. So I did.

I was greeted by a very nice recpionist and we chatted as she was checking me in. I told her I wrote a blog & gave her the address. Just then another one of the receptionists walked up & recognized me and said “I love reading your blog!” I love hearing that! I wish I could remember their names… Please forgive me ladies!
I was at the hospital for 2hrs and everything is fine. It took them a while to get Baby C on the heart monitor as she was very active. They all actually were very active, but A & B cooperated. I didn’t have any contractions while I was being monitored. The nurse & the OB Dr that works there said more than likely it was b/c I was lying down. My cervix was internally checked and was normal since I’ve had previous pregnancies. It was soft (I learned it doesn’t get firm again), but no dilation. They did the fFN test (fetal fibronectin test) for early signs of labor, but decided not to run it as I had sex 30hrs earlier. The hospital OB on staff & the OB on call from my office decided it wasn’t a good idea to run it as we can get a false positive. Getting a positive still doesn’t mean that you will deliver early, it just a warning that it may happen.
I was discharged w/ pelvic rest (aka no sex) & no work until I see my OB to be RE-evaluated. He also told me that with being pregnant w/ triplets there’s no over reacting. If I feel like I need to be seen to come in. Sometimes you never know what’s going on & if any pre term labor starts we want to stop it right away.
Jim (my husband) picked me up & we stopped into the grocery store to grab a few things b/f heading home & while walking in the store I could feel the Bracton Hicks contractions. Of course, as soon as I leave they start back up…lol

A funny little story that I forgot to mention earlier. I’ve been getting a few questions since I’m looking more full term like… Others “When are you due”. Me “May”. Others “Are you sure there’s only 1 baby in there?” Me ” No, I’m not sure… There’s 3!” Others ” Shouldn’t you be bigger?” REALLY? There’s no pleasing people sometimes…lol

Enjoy the photos below & I look forward to your comments!

24wks w/ triplets

24wks

Baby A with her hand by her face blocking Baby C’s butt from being in her face. (It says Baby B, it was labeled wrong). IM & I loved this… We were all laughing.

Baby C.. 3D so cool!

Profile of Baby A

Profile of Baby B

23wk update…. A little complaint. TMI

Hi all! This pregnancy has been great. Though I do have to do a little complaining… I deserve it right? 🙂 If you have a weak stomach skip the next paragraph. You’ve been warned!

Last night I started to have lots of acid in my stomach and started to feel awful. As the night went on I went to bed to be more comfortable with my head elevated and still no relief. I woke up around 1am with intense acid pain. I had to get up. I took 2 food enzymes and within a 1/2 hr I felt the urge to throw up. Which is something that I never do…(If you recall I didn’t even get morning sickness with this or my other pregnancies.) It wouldn’t stop coming. My nose and throat hurt for a while afterwards. I drank some cold water and then was sleepy enough to go to bed. I woke up this am and still had the acid and felt awful. My upper back still hurt, had a headache (with pain behind my eyes) and I just felt yucky. I drank some water & took some Tylenol. Not to long later I felt the urge again to throw up. Luckily it wasn’t as much. So I was scared to put anything into my body. Though I know that I needed something. So I slowly drank some water and then after a while I was kind of hungry, but not really…what do you eat? So I tried my morning coffee with my protein powder in it. It helped and I was able to hold it down and haven’t gotten sick since. I laid in bed all day and barely ate. I took a hot bath, drank a green smoothie with protein powder in it, took more Tylenol and my headache finally went away. I had to get ready for my OB apt. I laid around for a while after I got out b/c I just felt crappy!

So I will be 23wks on Wed and this is my 22w6d update…

I’ve gained 4.5lbs in the last 3wks
BP was 122/72
Measured 29wks. That’s 6wks ahead. Last OB that saw me had big fingers and I thought he was over measuring by the way he was acting.

I’ll be going to OB office ever 2wks now. OB wants me to see a Dr. every week. So that’s alternating with MFM. OB also wants me to cut back my hours. He wasn’t happy that I worked 63hrs in a row. He knocked me back to 35hrs a week. I’ll be taking my note to work tomorrow and see how they plan to adjust my schedule.

OB also told me to take Zantac when I need it since I’m having issues with acid. He said it happens more with multiples as it has something to do with more progesterone and softens up the esophagus more and lets in more acid. I took one an hour ago and it’s not gone… Some mild relief, but that’s it.

Baby at 23wks
At 23 weeks, baby’s really getting ready for her big debut, listening in on what’s going on in the outside world. And you’re getting ready too. Just remember: While having the nursery painted and stocking it with diapers is important, there are some other pressing things you should have on your radar. Namely, financials. Around week 23 is a good time to call your and your partner’s insurance agent to check how you’re currently covered and decide what adjustments you’ll want to make for baby. You might also want to start thinking about writing a will, if you don’t have one, or updating your current one. How’s baby’s savings account going? If you’re like, “what savings account?” that’s okay. But decide whether or not you want to start one for her. One study found that kids who have their own savings account are more likely to go to college, and another one estimated the average cost of raising a baby until age 18 to be over $226,000. Whoa! Let’s multiply that by 3…YIKES!

your baby’s the size of a grapefruit!
At about 10.5 to 11.8 inches and about 12.7 to 20.8 ounces, baby’s not just getting bigger, she’s getting even cuter.

Sorry no pic…I’ll take it tomorrow and post 23 & 24 belly pics after my MFM apt. on Jan. 17th.

Have a great night/day!

21-22wk update…Getting bigger!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas!  I didn’t get a ton of relaxing done before my 6 day strech of 63hrs straighs….Ugh!  I was not happy that my job wouldn’t give  me a little break, but I made it through.  Thank goodness for my awesome prenatal vitamins by Garden of Life.  Best vitamins that I’ve every taken!
I had my 22wk check up with my MFM Dr. yesterday at 22wks 1day.  Everything still looks good, but they are looking very closely at Baby C as she is still 1wk behind.  Nothing concerning yet, but Dr. said with these kind of twins you need to be carful and monior closely.  He said ” I’d prefer triplets to all be in there own sac”…lol…. So would I! At my next appointment on the 17th at 24wks they will do an extensive scan of the hearts.  He said that there can be issues with IVF pregnancies.  A 1-3% chance.  He said more than likely there is nothing to worry about based on previous scans.
So I’ve been feeling a big bigger…lol… I see my OB on the 7th and will see how my fundal height is measuring.  I also dread that that awful glucose test is coming soon…yuck!  praying that I pass the 1st time.  There shouldn’t be any reason as I eat very well. 
As of 22wks 1 day the babies are measuring.

Baby A 21w5d 147hb 1lb

Baby B 21w6d 136hb 1lb

Baby C 20w1d 132 hb 12oz

Cervix still measuring 3.7.  They did the transvaginal  last time and this time it was with the regular wand on the belly. I found out that it’s several hundred dollars to do the transvaginal and asked if they could hold back on that unless they see a problem.  They agreed.

I was in the bathroom with a lady at work the other day and while we were washing our hands she said ” I am going to feel bad if you’re not, but are you pregnant?”  I said “NO, I’m just getting fat…lol”.  Then I followed it with, “yes I am!”.  We both chuckled and went on to talk about the pregnancy briefly.  She works in one of the office’s and we don’t see each other a ton, but I thought she knew b/c she always ask how I’m doing.  It goes to show I can’t assume that everyone can tell I’m pregnant…lol  Though I really hope that I wasn’t this big before the pregnancy 🙂

Some information about a 22wk pregnancy.

A growth spurt has put baby weighing in just around a pound! Your little one looks so much more like a tiny person now, complete with eyelashes and even eyebrows. With an increasing sense of his environment, baby can now perceive the comforting sounds of his home; including your heartbeat, your voice, and even soothing music that you play to him.

Reacting to the difference between light and dark, your little one might reward you with a few playful punches or kicks if you shine a flashlight onto your belly. This is a great way to let your partner get a chance to interact with the baby!

While your baby is further developing and maturing his organs like his heart, lungs, brain, and intestinal tract, his developing sense also allow him to feel his face, tug on his ears, and even play with his toes or discover the joy of sucking his thumb! 
 

I’ve received a few comments after each post and I really appreciate you taking the time to read my blog and post a comment/question/your expierence.  It means a lot to me.
I hope that ya’ll enjoy the pics below from my 21wk & 22wk belly and the U/S pics.
 

 

21wks

21wks bare belly

22wks

Baby A

Baby B

Baby C on her belly