My GBG triplets decided that mommy's tummy was not big enough for them. They were delivered by emergency c-section at exactly 24 weeks. They are almost 2 weeks old. I understand that their NICU stay is going to be very long. We've been told that their weights were good for their gestational age. They were 611 grams, 685g, and 618g. Their lungs are so underdeveloped. They've had two courses of Indocin but their PDA did not close. The two younger ones had to have PDA ligation. Our eldest still has a small opening, but they are monitoring it.

The doctors and nurses have informed me that there will be lots of ups and downs during their stay in the NICU. It's really hard to deal with feeling so helpless. I go to see them everyday. On good days I put my hand on them for a bit. On bad days, I don't for fear of bothering them. I'm pumping every 3 hours as that is the only thing I can do for them now...

I would like to know if others had delivered their triplets this early and what their NICU experience was like.

Almost a year ago I had my bbb triplets on April 5 at 26 weeks. My guys were in the NICU for a long time. 75 days for 2 and 81 for my little guy. They were 780,713,730 grams. All I can tell you is that it is a very long road and the Doctors and Nurses are right, there will be many ups and downs. Initally, I was told to keep a journal but I kept writing about the bad things and it just made me sad. Looking back maybe I should have only wrote about the good times, but I was never really happy until I was sure they were ok.

I felt the same way about pumping and it was really important for them. I relied very heavily on the Nurses and Doctors to keep me sane. Most people don't know how stressful this time is for the parents. I was crying most days!

One year later my boys are still small but very healthy. We made our first year without any lung issues and return trips to the hospital.

Good luck and let me know if there is anything I can do to help. I know how helpless you feel..

when we were in the NICU with our GGG, one of our favourite nurses told us that she was a 24weeker twin -- she was amazing and lovely and healthy!!.

Keep faith that they are in good hands and receiving the best care and nourishment right now...being there with them and giving them breast milk as you can is the best thing that you can do for them.

prayers and thoughts for you and you little ones.

Janet
G - 12/07 35 weeks
GGG-04/10 30 weeks

Hello,

You wanted to hear about other success stories and we are one of them. I also have triplets who were born at 24 weeks. This was 5 years ago. Also g/g/b. I don't know gram weights but they were 1lb 1oz, 1lb 4oz, and 1lb 5oz. Our two girls had PDA sugery (the little one was under a pound at the time of sugery). My little guy never developed the PDA issue. Our next big hurdle was brain scans. We did have a grade 2 brain bleed but it resolved without any damage or long term effects. We were spared all of the more serious and life threatening issues that plague most parents.

Even though the NICU was tough, our nurses made it so easy to get involved even from the very beginning. I was doing kangaroo care a week after they were born on one of them. A week latre another one. THe littlest one wa a little touch and go so we did not hold her as soon. Our drs were also wonderful. They never really told us that the kids may not make it. They warned us of long term effects but they were really good about keeping us optimistic. I think our kids were "guniea pigs" for them. Not many 24 weekers make it out of the NICU (especially multiples) so noone really knew what to expect. We were in one of the major level 3 NICU in the country.

If you want to contact me privatley I would be glad to talk with you privately. You can also do a search with my name one here and you will see my posts from 5 years ago.

Suzan

g/g/b August 21, 2005
my miracle 24 weekers!!!!

At bhdelmar, thank you for sharing your experience. My triplets are now 26 weeks today. Your story made me feel more at ease. I too keep a journal. I understand what you mean, about writing the "bad" news. I pray that each day is a little better, but sometimes it just isn't so. It's a matter of taking it one day at a time, I guess. I'm glad to hear your boys made it through this year without lung issues. Thanks again, and God bless your family.

At triplesensation, thanks for your support and hopeful words. I appreciate your response. God bless your girls.

While mine weren't 24 weekers, I do wish I had kept track of more of what had happened while they were in the NICU. I feel like I missed so much. I just read my blog the other day and I had forgotten so much even though they were only born 6 months ago. I loved reading about all their mini-milestones, like getting their bili-lights turned off, how their feeds increased. Even though writing the "bad" stuff may not be fun, it may be good to keep your own record in case it comes up in the future. You would be able to say, "Well, on 4/4, the dr said .... about Baby A." or whatever. Sometimes they throw so much at you, it helps to keep track of it. Good luck with your little ones. We'll pray for you all.
Renee

How are your little ones doing?

Keeping you all in my prayers.

Carrie
BBG born 11/12/10 at 31W5D
Joseph Parker ~ 3 lbs 1oz
Nathaniel Morris ~ 3 lbs 5oz
Riley Grace ~ 2 bs 11oz

Our BGB triplets were born at 23 weeks on November 15, 2010. At that time, we were told they were not going to make it. However, they are all three now home!! So, keep your faith strong.

They were 1 pound 5 ounces, 1 pound 6 ounces, and 1 pound 8 ounces.

You are correct, there are many ups and downs. It is harder with triplets in the NICU than singletons. We found that we would go in and two of them were doing great, but one was struggling. So, we were happy, but reserved all of the time.

It already sounds like you know what is best for your little ones. If they are having a good day, then you can touch them. But, if they are not having a good day, it is best for them to leave them alone. There were days when we couldn't even sit by their isollettes because they couldn't handle it. Those were hard days. But, we knew it was what each baby wanted at that time.

There is so much I could tell you about our adventure. It is so hard to condense it into one post!! We dealt with very weak lungs, PDA issues, ROP, infections, viruses, oral aversions, and other things. What I can tell you is that there will be periods of time when all three are improving and it will be awesome!! Then, they will take a step or two back and it will be hard. There are going to be days when you will think you cannot do it any longer, but you can. God will give you the strength you need!! Take each day for the gift it is and enjoy the new day with your little ones. Find ways to make it enjoyable. We decorated their little rooms, we took pictures all of the time, we read stories, sang songs, recorded our voices for the nurses to play for them, and made little hats for them.

Looking back, I cannot believe so much time has passed. The first two weeks were the hardest for us. After that, time seemed to pass faster as we got more into it. Our first son came home at 113 days, our second at 120 days, and our daughter at 130 days. So, they each came home at 4 months, right around their original due date. That is whatt you can expect. From what we learned, the babies usually come home around their due dates.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions!

We also setup a Caring Bridge Website. I highly, highly recommend it. It is agreat way to keep everyone updated on your little ones, and to have specific prayer requests.

You can see ours: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcmillintriplets

I will check your post often to help provide any tips. Remember, these little ones are tough!

Mike and Dara McMillin
The McMillin Clan

Thank you all who have responded and shared your experience. Thank you also for your concern. It's been 7 1/2 weeks now, so our babies are 31 1/2 weeks. Our triplets are doing much better. They all weigh over 3 lbs now (G-3lb 2oz, B-3lb 6oz, G-3lb 1oz)

Things have been easier these days in the NICU. We have gotten over some big milestones. All three babies are extubated and now using nasal canulas. I have been allowed to start Kangaroo Care with our girls. I'm excited to get to hold our son for the first time today.

They working on their feeds now. Our youngest girl is cruising, she's up to 8 oz of breastmilk a day. She was the first to be extubated, and as of yesterday, all IV's have been discontinued. Her siblings are following in her footsteps.

I have to say that it's been exciting going in and getting to hold my little ones. Time goes by much faster now. I hate to "waste time" to pump or eat, but I know it's a must. It's been nice, but I'm so exhausted by the time I get home, yet, I can't wait to go back to spend more time with them...I'm sure you all can relate.

I recently met a mom who's baby (born at 25 weeks) was in the same NICU. Her little one was coming up on his first birthday and she brought him back to visit with the nurses. She was very encouraging, but she also advised me to be prepared for setbacks that may come. It has definately been a wild rollercoaster so far.

Thanks again for your words of encouragement and concern. I will keep checking back and updating on their progress.

I am so glad to hear that things are going well for you babies. You have many folks praying for you and your family. Thank you for taking the time to update us, its really great news!

Hold on to the moments... they are gone before you know it! My baby B is up to 15 pounds! I cannot even remember how small he was a 3 lbs 5 ozs!

Take care,

Carrie
BBG born 11/12/10 at 31W5D
Joseph Parker ~ 3 lbs 1oz
Nathaniel Morris ~ 3 lbs 5oz
Riley Grace ~ 2 bs 11oz

Just checking in tonight to see how you and your little miracles are doing. I hope they're continuing to make wonderful progress, and that you're hanging in there.