32 Weeks 6 Days

The biggest milestone in our pregnancy has come and gone!! I couldn't be happier and any more proud of the babies! On top of that, the non-stress tests and biophysical profiles have been going excellent. So very grateful! The nurses always ask how I can possibly still have a smile on my face when they see me at the office. How could I not knowing that I have been blessed with 3 amazing lives that I get the privelage of loving for the rest of my life. We have had only one small issue 2 weeks ago, as Baby C's heartrate had shown a deceleration during a major contraction, but we re-tested the next day and everything was great. Since then, the babies have each received a 10/10...2 pts for breathing movements, 2 pts for heartrate, 2 points for tone (reflexes), 2 pts for movement, and 2 points for fluid volume. Savannah has definitely proved that although she is not the biggest and by far has the worst position (squished on the bottom, holding up her brothers), she is the leader. She out-breathes her brothers on every single ultrasound and can hold her pattern for a very, very long time. The other 2 seem to get bored with it or tire out more quickly.
I have gotten the dreaded PUPPS rash, something I had read about early and prayed I wouldn't get! However, I seem to have a very mild case and although steroid cream was recommended, I am getting by without any...whew. No studies have concluded 100% what PUPPS is caused from but from what I have read, it is most common in multiple pregnancies and is possibly caused by male fetus DNA. Thanks boys! ;)
We have another NST appointment on Monday (please make it) and then FINALLY get to see Dr. Huang for an ultrasound on Thursday (which is 2 days from my goal of 34 weeks!), after what has seemed like a very long 3 weeks.
This upcoming week is finals week so I am hoping to complete all of my tests and get them out of the way before making any trips to the hospital. Hope I get my wish! Cook babies, cook!

30 Weeks 5 Days

April 12th-The babies had their second non-stress test (NST) and biophysical profile today along with a growth scan with Dr. Huang. The NST went great. The babies are all practicing breathing and their heartrates looked great throughout the monitoring. Terbutaline free this time!!
The good news continued as we met with Dr. Huang. Baby B now weighs 4 lbs 4 oz., Baby C weighs 3 lbs. 3 oz, and Savannah (Baby A) weighs 3 lbs. 9 oz. Baby C is right on track with his siblings weighing above average at this point. Their weight gain should have slowed significantly by this point but somehow they are still finding room to put on some baby fat :) I am so proud of them. I am pretty much on complete bedrest except for doctor appointments and to make meals during the day. I am so grateful for being able to finish out the school semester completely online! We will begin going to the doctor twice a week from here on out to have the babies monitored as they grow and their room to do so is decreasing. On to 32 weeks! This will be a huge milestone (as this is the average length of a triplet pregnancy) and I cannot wait to feel a bit of relief! I take every single day after 32 weeks as an amazing gift!

Here is a 4D picture of Baby B.

First Non-Stress Test (28 weeks, 5 days)

March 28, 2012. We had our first NST this morning. "The test involves attaching one belt to the mother’s abdomen to measure fetal heart rate and another belt to measure contractions. Movement, heart rate and “reactivity” of heart rate to movement is measured for 20-30 minutes." Our test lasted about an hour because as expected, not all the babies felt like cooperating :) The babies reported a-okay but I was having so many contractions that they were causing the babies to shift after each one and the nurse would have to search for the heartbeat and reposition the belt. I could feel she was becoming concerned and waited for my doctor to arrive at the office to show him the contraction monitor. He wanted me to receive a shot of Terbutaline, used to relax uterine muscles. Before I left, I was also given a prescription for Indocin to take for two days to help with contractions at home. I have since finished that and will continue the Procardia (and hopefully nothing else!!), untill we deliver. On to our next goal: 32 weeks!

27 weeks 6 days

On March 22nd, I had what would hopefully be my first and last glucose screening for gestational diabites. The next day, I was so relieved to have gotten word that I passed with flying colors! I could have also been a tad bit excited about still being able to enjoy a Slurpee or two :) We also visited Dr. Huang for a growth ultrasound and were so grateful that the babies are doing well! Savannah now weighs 2 lbs 7 oz, Baby B weighs 3 lbs, and Baby C weighs 2 lbs 5 oz. I asked Dr. Huang if we should be concerned that Baby B continues to widen the weight gap between himself and his brother and sister, and he said absolutely not. Upon birth, the average triplet weighs 3 lbs 12 oz., so for now...go Baby B! :)  He also told me that it is often the heaviest baby who spends the most time in the NICU. Since they typically do not display any stress in the womb, they become completely comfortable and are oblivious that their time in there is nearing and don't practice doing the things that they should be. The babies who are more in distress (weight or otherwise) are continually feeling the need to prep themselves for life outside of the womb and are more easily able to adapt to things like breathing on their own. Interesting! I am so proud of all 3 of them.As for me, my cervix checked out great despite a large increase in contractions. In fact, the previous Sunday, Reginald and I spent the day in the hospital because they were far too regular. While I was there, they performed a fetal fibronectin to test my suseptibility of going into labor within the next two weeks. It returned negative, thank goodness! Four Procardia pills later and with contractions 5-6 min apart, they let us go home. I now take medication 'round the clock to control them and have accepted that the better days I have experienced occured because I was in bed. So for now, I try to spend as much time in it as I can.
I wish I had some good pictures to post from the growth scan but they all look like a mosh pit of arms and legs :) Hopefully I will have some soon!

24 Weeks

We have reached a small milestone :) And have received good news after our 24 week appointment. The babies are doing great! In fact, they are now a bit bigger than the average singleton baby at their gestational age. Savannah, Baby A, is weighing in at 1 lb. 10 oz. Baby B (one of the boys) is apparently the bully of the bunch (as the sonographer calls him) and weighs 1 lb. 14 oz. Baby C (boy) shares the same weight as Savannah, 1 lb. 10 oz. The babies had echo's done on their hearts during this appointment and they are looking great! My cervix measured 4. 75...holding up wonderfully! In fact, Dr. Huang said he didn't need to see me for 3 weeks. At this point in time, most triplet pregnancies are visiting the doctor once a week so I consider this news to be a blessing! Dr. Huang feels that my cervix has pretty much ruled out pre-term delivery despite the many contractions I experience during the day, and is confident that letting the babies grow 3 weeks without a checkup is a good thing. Yay for the triplets! Our next appointment will be March 22nd. I will be almost 28 weeks at that point, reaching the first "major" goal on our journey! If born at 28 weeks, the triplets would have a very good chance of surviving without any lasting health problems. This is a relief to know, but does not replace our goal of delivering after May 5th :)
Here are some pictures from our appointment! The sonographer was able to catch Baby C with the 4D ultrasound machine! He looks JUST like his daddy!

20 Weeks

February 1, 2012- We had a very loooong, but wonderful ultrasound appointment today. Reginald and I got to watch the babies for a good hour or more so no complaints here! :) Everyone is doing wonderfully (what a blessing!). Savannah and Myles both are weighing about 14 oz. and Nigel weighs 15 oz. I had been warned that this appointment is usually very difficult for mom's with multiples...they weren't lying! Laying on your back with the pressure of 3 babies was tough but thanks to Reginald and about 20 cold towels, we made it through :)  I couldn't be more proud of our babies and the progress they have made (God willing) so far despite sharing limited space! My cervix has once again defied the odds...measuring 5.03! A very early pre-term delivery is pushed further out of mind with this number and Dr. Huang said that I am "giving most women with a singleton pregnancy a run for their money" :). Awesome news and so grateful! Although I keep in mind that this can quickly change, I will be a little more at ease until our next appointment, February 16. On our way to the first important goal...24 weeks!

Nursery

The nursery is coming along slowly but surely. We are so appreciative of the wonderful cribs/mattresses my parents gave us! I usually go sit in the room several times a day and picture babies in those cribs :) We have managed to get a couple good Craigslist finds and just need a few pieces of furniture. I made some yarn mobiles and painted some canvases to decorate. Reggie's co-workers have been amazingly supportive and recently, we were given lots of baby boy clothes, a pack-n-play (we will keep in our bedroom until crib time), and lots of other cool stuff :)