Did any of you triplet fathers get as stressed as me when you were expecting? I'm stressed about my wife going on hospital bed rest (potentially next week) and being away from her a lot of the time. I also feel like i have a million things to do like get a minivan, sell the jeep, get the house ready etc.

It's normal to stress out about those things.... but the babies aren't going to care if everything is perfect, and I learned that my wife didn't either.

Obviously things like getting a bigger vehicle, and preparing the babies room, things like that are important. But even if you don't have every little detail in place, you probably have a lot of friends and relatives that will be more than happy to help out.

We received so many baby clothes for the first three years of our babies lives, the only things we've purchased were a few premature items, and I ordered a few baseball pajamas and things (from a lady here at TC) because we can't find them around here.

Another thing to consider, unless your wife is able to carry the triplets to 36 weeks, they are likely to have some time in NICU. Ours were born just after 34 weeks, and all three are still in NICU 12 days after their birth. We should be bringing the boys home in another week or so..... but our daughter will be there longer.

Hope you can get all the things that are necessary in place. But going overboard isn't really necessary (even though I'm a bit guilty of it.) As dads, we may think that our wives carry our triplets for 8+ months, and we want to do a million things in return. Guess it's natural.

Rick (& Carole)
Jonah, Noah, & Erin are 12 days old!

I would say that the stress is normal. At the same time, I must admit I was not stressed -- I am a little too laid back (according to dw), plus dw was a maternity nurse and if there was anything to stress out about, she'd let me know.

Also, since there is no NICU in our county, at 24 weeks I drove dw (in our "new" used minivan) 800 miles to spent the last of her pregnacy with my sister and family where we had checked out the NICU's in advance. So the last month of the pregnacy I was a "bachelor" and did nothing but work and did as much photography as I could (since I knew I would not be doing much for awhile once the kids arrived!) But hey, we had already been married for 10 years, so being a temporary bachelor was kinda of fun.

Now we did not prepare a "baby room" right away. The boys slept in one crib in our room at first -- then two. When two got too big to share a crib, we moved all three into their own room with three cribs. The room had three cribs, one changing table and that was it. No extra decorations at first. With 3 little ones, life is so busy and so full who cares what the room looks like! As long as it is clean.

Baby proofing the house can wait until the kids start crawling -- you got plenty of time for that.

Don't spend a bunch of money -- unless you got more than you know what to do with. People will give you or lend you lots of stuff. Check around for used stuff -- such as baby swings...wonderful things!

I was a stay-at-home-dad. And I never took care of, or even held, a baby before. No sweat. You will do what you have to do. Babies are pretty tough little critters...they don't break easily.

Good luck in the waiting -- use the time to get projects done, to do things you enjoy doing, and to marvel at the miracles that will be coming into your life.

And if things get too stressful, just scream at the top of your lungs. It is a nice release and if someone asks what is going on, just tell them that you are expecting triplets -- if they still don't understand, then forget them...they have no imagination!


Vaughn and the ABC Boys
Alex, Bryce, & Calder
3-31-97 @ 28.5 weeks
http://s515.photobucket.com/albums/t356/vaughn3abc/

Dan,

I am not sure how far along your wife is, but mine is 25 weeks now. I am pretty laid back like Vaughn actually, but stuff will get done that needs to get done. If you feel overwhelmed maybe start a "To-Do" list for yourself, prioritize it and start working it. Getting a few things knocked out my relieve some of the stress. I am personally doing stuff on my time schedule and it will get done. I will have our house and everything else ready and set up when the babies come home.

I have two months to get things dialed in, if you have two weeks, I'd start getting on it! Don't get stressed man, it will all work out.

Hang in there!

Todd

Todd

Proud father to BBG triplets, born 33 weeks, 2 days on 7/9/09.
Claire
Matt
Drew
http://themesserletrio.blogspot.com

Hey Dan,

I read your post on the main board. Interesting on the mimicing of breathing deal, that is the first that I have heard of that and our Peri has never mentioned it! I am going to have to ask him tomorrow morning when we see him.

Also, my wife Katie exactly 27 weeks, 1 day today, Thursday. Are you guys the same exact week and times?? If so, how crazy is that!!??

Todd

Todd

Proud father to BBG triplets, born 33 weeks, 2 days on 7/9/09.
Claire
Matt
Drew
http://themesserletrio.blogspot.com

Hey Todd,

Lets see, today 6/2 we are at 27 weeks 6 days. Is that where you are at?

We should exchange contact info.

Dan

Dan,

Sorta hard to believe but we are EXACTLY the same date! Amazing!

I would love to stay in touch with you, I hope your wife is doing well. Our blog is in my sig and my email is tmesserle@hotmail.com.

Let's stay in touch, we may not have too much longer till these kids get here!!

Todd

Todd

Proud father to BBG triplets, born 33 weeks, 2 days on 7/9/09.
Claire
Matt
Drew
http://themesserletrio.blogspot.com

My trips are nor 20 month old. No matter how much you do you are going to be stressed out. The best advise I can give you is to get the nursery done as soon as possible. The try to take it easy. Try to collect as many bibs and washcloths you can. Will came in handy later. My kids BBG were born at 32 weeks. We spent about 4 weeks in the NICU. Spend this time resting and helping you wife. She is going to be very tired. Then try to take a night and go out for dinner. Trust me it will be a while before you will go out with just the two of you. Things at first are crazy, but as time goes on they do get better. After a little time you will feel normal again. Best of luck!

Mine are almost 8 years old now... and I can tell you that your stress is a sign that you are conscious of what needs to be done, and you'll get those things done. Prioritization is key, given that we all have limited amounts of money to spend. First priority is to get house ready for a successful and long pregnancy! Best of everything.

GBG born 6/12/01

Troplets, thanks for the post! I hope I am conscious of what needs to be done, I have been feeling lately like time is running out on me a bit, but I don't think there is too much more for me to do at the moment. The house is about 90% ready here, few more things to pick up and we'll be good.

Eight year old triplets, that sounds SO far off, but I am sure the time has really flown!

Todd

Todd

Proud father to BBG triplets, born 33 weeks, 2 days on 7/9/09.
Claire
Matt
Drew
http://themesserletrio.blogspot.com

Todd: it has flown by... but, I'm sure you won't miss a thing! Hope all continues to go well.

GBG born 6/12/01

I know you posted a while back, but I just started looking at the forum.

I'm stressed too. My wife is 27+ weeks now and the babies room is just starting to come together. With her on bed rest it is tricky juggling every thing. With her home alone all day, most of the time, while I'm at work and then I come home and have house hold stuff to do as well as getting ready for babies in the house. Trying to entertain her some and spend some quality time together while taking care of the house and preparing is quite a deal.

Fortunately my brother just found us a mini van, so we haven't had to worry about that at all.

I know it's true, but why do people always have to say "it will be worth it in the end" and "enjoy the rest while you can." You can only stand to hear those phrases so much and answer the question "how is She and the babies doing" so many times in one day.

Sheesh! Ok, I think that's it. I think I'm actually not as stressed as I could be. I've been out of town some for work too, that IS restful time, all I can do there is talk on the phone with her and research on the internet a little.

G Donald
Father to be of AA, BB, and CC.