Kim's Triplet Pregnancy Journal

My 3rd Trimester

Kim's Triplet Pregnancy Journal - 3rd Trimester
(October - December 2001 Weeks 27-34)

At my 26 week appointment there was protein in my urine and my blood pressure was elevated so they sent me to have my blood drawn to test for pre-clampsia. That was a real big problem with my pregnancy with Elizabeth. They had to take her 3 weeks early because they were afraid I would seize. So knowing my history they weren’t taking any chances. Blood level was negative but will monitor closely since it was elevated. Increase insulin intake at bedtime and Zantac to help with heartburn. Did non-stress test on babies. Looks good.

My reproductive system is all messed up and I will probably never be able to have any more kids without assistance. I’d just love to have more kids, but it would be very irresponsible to try and do so. So I decided to have my tubes tied. I had to sign a lot of papers at this visit. I also decided against trying a natural childbirth and to go ahead and have a “C” section. I just fear that even if one comes out okay there are still 2 more in there and if one goes into fetal distress during the birth they’ll have to take them anyhow. I’d rather have the risk be on me instead of them. Besides, I had one with Liz and it wasn’t so bad.

Daddy named your teddy bears we got at the shower and put them in your bassinets. They (along with us are waiting for you). "Precious" is the name daddy picked for Erin's bear. The boy’s bears names are "Oscar" and "Elliot". Charles Jr. gets Elliot and Andrew will get Oscar. (Because Daddy said so that's why)

I want to lay down more than sit theses days. Real tired. I ended up driving myself to my 27 week appointment. Everything went great. But I was super tired when I got home.

Referring to you all by name now. Daddy still says Clyde every so often!

Week 28 came and went! First goal achieved! Braxton Hicks contractions felt. Had another ultrasound this week. I got horribly sick during it. I wanted to vomit (almost did until I sat up). I cannot lay on my back at all now. I have to be on my side but she can’t scan me that way.

Babies like to dance on my cervix and bladder. The bladder is the worst. At my 29 week appointment I had a crying fit for no reason. Doctor was concerned thinking something was wrong and kept looking at daddy. It took 15 minutes to stop. Very emotional these days. Headaches still bad. We have good friends watching Elizabeth for us some days. That helps when I’m home, I can rest better if I don’t have to chase after her. Daddy thinks you’ll be born during Thanksgiving week. That will be 32 weeks. Not bad but I want to at least make it to December (week 33/34). He swears it will be during that week though. He’s been right on everything so far.

Traveled to my Grandpa’s 95th birthday party. I was so glad to see everyone. I didn’t realize how big I was till I saw photos later on. Now I know why I could hardly walk and why my back really hurts. But I had a great time. Very tired later though. Started getting lots of lower back pains the next day and into Monday. Nothing I do seems to help.

Back labor pains? Passed a huge chunk of mucus last week. Fear it may be my mucus plug? Had the oddest dream about the babies. Erin was born naturally, she just fell out while getting ready for my c-section. She was fine but it was so weird. Especially since she’s close to the top. One of the boys (A-Charles) is on the bottom.

Week 30 appointment doctor had a very hard time finding baby A’s heartbeat. Called in the head doctor and still couldn’t see it but thought they saw him breathing and maybe even move so they stopped looking. Cervix still closed which is good. Have to increase morning insulin. Need to add biophysical to next ultrasound next week. Lots of pelvic pressure the rest of the week and difficulty sitting. I only gained 20 pounds total so far! Great.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Week 31 Tuesday woke up at 6am with bad cramping and sick to my stomach. Baba (my mom) came up to take me to my appointment and I was sick all day. I had some small contractions during my ultrasound. Doctor found my cervix dilated to 1 cm so sent me up for a non-stress test on the babies. Started getting more contractions so they put me on an oral medication to stop it but it only made it worse. The contractions were coming 2-3 minutes apart and I dilated to 2 cm. I was admitted and given a bolus dose of that nasty Magnesium Sulfate (Mag) to stop it. Contractions have to have been stopped completely for 12 hours before they can take me off the Mag. There was a real possibility of delivery so we asked for one of the neonatologists to come talk to us and explain what was going on and what we could expect if they were born now. Around 3:30am I was given a steroid shot to help mature the babies lungs by a week. The main concern would be respiratory (lung development). That next afternoon, our Pastor came by and said a prayer with us. Later that day I got to come off of the Mag. And I was put on an oral medication every 4 hours to maintain. I was so sick while on the Mag. I had 3 straps around my belly to monitor each of the kids heart rates. Luckily they never skipped a beat and did better than me! After about 20 hours I was off the belly monitors and the IV drips stopped. I was sent to a regular room. My belly is all bruised and sore and I am exhausted. I haven’t really slept in over 30 hours and haven eaten longer than that. I end up staying in the hospital for a week.

I came back home Tuesday on the week of Thanksgiving. I am totally exhausted – like I hit a brick wall. I can hardly move. I feel better emotionally though. We didn’t want me to be released this week especially before Wednesday. What if I go into labor at home? Charles has to work until Wednesday. But I am stable so they released me. I’ll be on the medication to stop contractions till week 34 appointment. Our niece Missa came to watch Elizabeth for us Wednesday. What a relief and a blessing she was on break from college and was able to do that. We had family over for Thanksgiving dinner. As usual, daddy outdid himself. I usually don’t help cook for holiday meals anyhow, but this year he had to do 2 times as much. Contractions all week, thank goodness for this oral medication I’m taking. I know when it is getting close to my next dose because they get a little stronger every 4 hours. Saturday daddy cleaned the house and started decorating for Christmas. We figured we better get it done now or else it wont get done once you arrive. Elizabeth was excited because she knew that after Thanksgiving you’d be coming.

Week 33 – Boy, I can tell I dropped. Doctor appointment went great. Had a bag packed and ready just in case. But not today, everyone doing fantastic. I lost 10 pounds. Cervix stayed at 2cm! They say I can go a couple more weeks. Probably 2 at best. Wow! What a ride. Still having lots of little contractions every day. Daddy bought you all Christmas stockings to hang up. How thoughtful! He put up the tree this week and decorated it. My body was starting to feel funny by weeks end. Sharp stabbing pains in vagina and cervix and shortness of breath. Bottom of belly very tender to the touch. Heartburn making me nauseous and I’m starting to swell. Thank goodness this will be over soon, I’m falling apart!

The Birth

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