My beautiful triplets were born at 34 weeks on Thursday October 6, 2011. Here’s how it happened:

I was in the hospital for nearly 2 months by the time the babies’ birth rolled around. I was admitted on August 11 at 26 weeks due to cervix issues (funneling and shortening) as well as an infection, and was kept to keep close watch on my progress. There were differing opinions (among the drs) on whether or not I should have been kept in the hospital, let alone admitted, but once everything unfolded I’m so glad I was there.

One of the drs ordered a set of labs the last week of September to get a base reading on liver enzymes and kidney function (among other things) because my blood pressure was slowly creeping up and he wanted a comparison in case we were looking at pre-eclampsia. My blood pressure never went up and stayed up, but it was all over the place enough to warrant closer monitoring. I did a 24hr urine but wasn’t dropping protein yet. On October 2 I had more labs run and they came back “basically” normal, and when run again on October 4 there was a huge jump on the liver. I didn’t find this out until the late afternoon of October 5 when my favorite dr came in, asked how I was doing, sat on the edge of my bed and proceeded to tell me that I was developing pre-eclampsia and the babies may need to be born that night. I immediately started bawling my eyes out, not because the babies were coming earlier than planned (the planned c-section was for October 13) but because DH was still in Chicago for some training. Doc ordered more labs for that night which would determine the course of action. Regardless, the doc said, the babies would be born no later than Thursday morning. This set of labs came back late that night and doc said some of the readings had improved but still warranted delivery the next day. I was worried because I didn’t want to put off delivery if it meant putting the babies at risk, but I also completely trusted this dr to make the best call. So we scheduled surgery for 10:30am on Thursday October 6.

I was able to get in touch with DH and by some miracle, he was able to get out of his last day of training (he was supposed to finish class Thursday and fly out here Friday) and he found a flight that would get him here in time. DH arrived at the hospital around 10:15am! We literally had time to say “hi” to each other, cry a little and I was taken back. All of my fears and anxiety went away when he got there, and he walked me to the OR door and waited while I was prepped.

The whole process of the c-section was interesting. I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t what I expected. I went numb rather quickly from the spinal and before I knew it I was being draped and DH was brought in. TMI for the weak-stomached…I already felt nauseous before surgery, but the puking was a bit of a surprise. Before Baby A was pulled out I told the anesthesiologist that I was going to throw up and he put some drugs in my IV, told me to breathe regularly and in 60 seconds I’d be great…I made it about 10 seconds before losing my stomach. Trying to puke with every muscle one would normally use completely paralyzed was near impossible. DH was a dream and held the little puke tray…all while trying to take pictures of the surgery. lol But not long after, my babies were being born.

Dr. M announced that Baby A was out at 11:30am and it’s a boy! DH and I were confused because Baby A was supposed to be a girl. So we cried (I bawled actually) and waited as Baby B came…it’s a girl at 11:31am! I was in a different world and had to ask if either of them cried and DH said they were both definitely crying. Within the same minute Baby C came, another girl at 11:31am. (I later came to learn that when Dr. M was reaching for the first baby, it was Baby B who was easier to get so he became Baby A. And my feisty little Baby A apparently had her hand outstretched as they were pulling her brother out, almost as if telling them to take her first. Every nurse and dr who was in the surgery told me this story and it just makes me laugh.) DH immediately went over to the babies while I got finished up. One by one, the nurses brought each of the babies to my head and more tears ensued. I just gave birth to my babies.

A – Christopher James Jr., 3lb 15oz, 17”
B – Genevieve Lee, 3lb 15oz, 17”
C – Lilianna Marie, 4lb 2oz, 17”

All 3 babies were taken straight to the NICU, and I had to wait in recovery for over 4 hours while I stabilized. I was wheeled up to see them but when I tried sitting up I got dizzy and couldn’t reach into their isolettes. This was a source of sadness for me because I didn’t get to really meet them until Friday. I cried almost uncontrollably the first time I visited them, and I can’t even put into words what it felt like to hold them. No amount of mental preparation was enough to not only see them hooked up to the monitors, but to see and touch these babies that we were able to make. They are all still in the NICU but making strides every day. All 3 of them were breathing room air at birth, and they all have feeding tubes through their noses. They are all in the same room so that makes it very easy on us. Christopher had an IV for a few days to give him extra calories and nutrients because he wasn’t keeping food down. He had it taken out last night so we’re hopeful he won’t need it again. Lilianna sometimes forgets to breathe so she was put on caffeine. Christopher has the same issue but not as severe. Bradychardia is so scary. I don’t care how normal it is for their heart rates to drop, my own heart skips a beat whenever I see the alarms going off. Genevieve is doing the “best” and hasn’t needed much assistance in anything. She’s being referred to as a “feeder and grower”. All 3 have been to the breast and shown some interest, but for now I’m pumping every 2-4 hours. The babies are doing quite well, all nearly back up to their birth weights, and we just have to take it with little steps. We’re meeting with the NICU dr today to review their progress and look at what milestones they hope to see in the coming days/weeks.

I am still in awe that I was pregnant and now have 3 beautiful babies. I told DH that I miss having them in my tummy because I feel a bit empty now, but he said he prefers them out so he can touch them too. Perhaps I wouldn't feel so empty if the babies were home and DH wasn’t leaving again in a couple of days...my emotional stamina is certainly being tested through all of this. DH is so in love with the babies (they all look exactly like him – Christopher and Lilianna have his blue eyes and dirty blonde hair, Genevieve has my brown hair and eyes but they all have his face) and I love being able to kiss and cuddle them. I just swoon every time I see them.

~BGG Born October 6, 2011 @ 34 Weeks~

CONGRATULATIONS! Very cool story and very happy for you that it had a happy ending!

Please keep us posted on the little ones progress and we will be sure to keep all 3 in our prayers.

congrats on your sweet babies! take this time to heal and get some rest.

beautiful names, by the way.

Pam
Identical BBB triplets born 12/4/07 at 33w2d
http://www.pyjammy.com
New Orleans triplets: http://www.nolatripletsandmore.com/

Congratulations, I am so happy for you! Sounds like you did an amazing job! Best wishes as you continue on your parenthood journey!

Congratulations, So happy for you!! Thanks for sharing your birth story.

Congrats! Try and get some rest before they come home because it sounds like it won't be long. Great job making it to 34 weeks!

Lori

http://yesidohavemyhandsfull.blogspot.com/

Congratulations! You did an awesome job. Now it is time to rest and heal before they all come home

www.thetripletlife.com

http://www.zazzle.com/the_triplet_life


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YEAH!!! Congrats!!!!!!!

Kim ~ Proud Mom to GBB Triplets
Born @ 35 weeks on July 24, 2008

Congratulations on your babies!!! It sounds like they are doing great! Keep us posted about their progress and take good care of yourself...you had a long stay in the hospital. I was only in for a few days and it took me a week to catch up on sleep! So glad to hear your babies are finally here

Mom to Ruby born 8/06 and Marshall 7/08
Expecting triplets 11/18/11

http://lilypie.com>

Congrats!

Our Blog http://tripmomma.blogspot.com/

CONGRATULATIONS!! Reading your post made me tear up a little, thinking about my little ones birth almost one year ago! I know what you mean about feeling empty! Get some rest, keep a diary because you'll forget stuff & cherish EVERY moment because it goes waayy too fast!

Debbie, proud Mom of triplet girls:
Amelia, Jordyn & Olivia
born 10/28/10 at 35 wks & 4 days

Congratulations! What a great story!
It took me back to my own. (I remember feeling "empty" too.)

Get ready for the real fun now!
Conagrats again Momma!

Carolyn
GGB @ 31.6 wks
7/13/06
Liz ~ 3lb 10oz
Erin ~ 3lb 12oz
Thomas ~ 3lb 1oz

Ava 7-16-04
Elle 7-19-02


http://lilypie.com>