Thursday was full of doctor's appointments. But first, and more importantly, it was time for a mani/pedi! Our local nail salon has been taken over by new ownership, so the decor and some of the patterns were different, but most of the personnel was the same and they were all excited to see me - big belly and swollen feet included. An hour later my fingernails were all cleaned up and my toenails were pretty and pink (well, sort of fuschia), though it didn't really distract from the puffiness of the feet.
Then off to the doctors'. We were met by a different sonographer than we'd seen before - in hot pink scrubs to match my toes. Joe and I had gotten mixed up and thought this would be a full biometric ultrasound, but it turned out to be a baseline one. That means she quickly identified the babies and their locations (Daniel is sitting, breech, on my right side down low; Max is above that, laying out, and Caroline is in her regular spot), then checked to make sure there was enough fluid surrounding each baby (there is), and then checked and recorded all their heartbeats, which are all good and strong.
Then we headed off to the non-stress test area. We were early, so we waited and watched as four other ladies waddled in and got assigned to beds and monitors. Because there were so many of us to scan, one nurse slipped away onto the floor to secure (or "steal") another ultrasound machine. It was top quality, so they wheeled it over and put me in the bed beside it. The same nurse from last week prepared for her long wait for fetal breathing (since everything else had already been done), but right off the bat, all the babies were practicing their chest contractions! Five minutes later, the babies had all passed and we were done!
Well, done for that part. It was back to the other side of the floor to meet with the obstetrician. She checked my cervix (all is OK), then we chatted about the rest of the pregnancy (only twenty days to go!). Our final ultrasound was scheduled for the 10th of September, but the doctor figured it might not make much sense to do a full biometric u/s just five days before the babies could all be measured accurately on the OUTSIDE. So...two more non-stress test, and then the biggest stress test of them all - babies!
We are the first C-section scheduled on the 15th and we have to be at the hospital by 7am to get prepped. But, we should have babies by noon!!! I think I may be hyperventilating a bit thinking about it...or maybe a baby is just sitting on my diaphragm...
Friday, August 27, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Catching up with the belly pics
We're up to 33 weeks today, and only 3 weeks away from the end of the pregnancy and the beginning of the real chaos!
Here are the "updates":
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| 31 weeks - in the A's press box for the day |
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| The more traditional side shot |
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| 32 weeks |
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| 33 weeks! |
Saturday, August 21, 2010
So attractive, no?
The tops of my feet are starting to feel a bit bruised on the tops from the swelling. Finger pain has increased, mostly late in the day, and the pain in the wrist is always there. But aside from that, everything is going super smoothly. Three and a half weeks to go!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Non-Stress Test 1
For weeks we've known that the "non-stress tests" were on their way. These are done to measure your baby's heartbeat and make sure he's functioning well. It seems like a relatively simple procedure when there's one baby concerned.
But we have three babies.
First was the obligatory urine sample. It's a good thing that pregnant women have to pee so much! Then back to the NST room where the nurse set me up on the table to monitor the babies. We located them all, saw their hearts beat, and then someone came in for the next appointment.
Problem? My tests weren't done yet. And there was only one nurse. So, she got the other woman set up on a fetal heart monitor (she wore it strapped onto her belly under her shirt) and moved me to another table just across from her. This meant wiping up all the goop off my belly, wandering across the room, and getting all gooped up again.
Problem? The machine at this station is not as good as the first machine and we're struggling to even see the babies' heads, so we have to go back to the first spot. Which means more de-gooping and re-grouping and re-gooping. The first thing we were looking for was "fetal breathing". Obviously, surrounded by a sac of amniotic fluid, the babies are not actually breathing at this point. But their little rib cages and lungs are starting to get practice with the mechanics of breathing. So the drill was to find a baby's chest area and park there until we saw some fetal breathing motions. Forty minutes later, one of them started contracting. The motions have to last at least thirty seconds or they don't count. Baby A was "breathing" hard for at least that long. Whew! Then, as if they'd all just figured out what the point of the game was, each of the next babies did their demonstration right away when we found their chests. It really seemed like they were saying, "Oh! Is that what you were waiting for? Sorry!"
Next we needed to document the babies' positions. The nurse was having trouble with this so she called the perinatologist in to figure it out. His touch with the ultrasound sensor was considerably less gentle than the nurse's, but his conclusions were also quicker - both boys are breech (and both towards my right side), while the girl is still hanging out up top and transverse (laying sideways).
Finally, the babies' heartbeats had to be measured for a few minutes each. There are only two sensors on the machine, so we had to do them in shifts. They would be racing along for a while and then the baby would move and we'd have to re-locate his (or her) heart. But all the heart rates were good - in the 130 to 150 beats per minute range.
An hour and a half after the appointment started, I was finally all cleaned up and ready to go. The rest of my appointments have been moved to the end of the afternoon, so that I don't "hold up" the other appointments for the day, like I did with the poor other woman who came in. Since the babies are not guaranteed to "breathe" on command, it is possible that the nurse could sit watching for an hour and a half and not see what she needed to see. I was assured that that would not mean they were in bad shape necessarily, but if it did happen, I'd have to be monitored in labor and delivery. I hope that doesn't happen!
After my appointment I ran into the doctor and sonographer in the hall and both remarked on how great I looked. I choose to believe them. Tomorrow is the appointment with the lactation nurse, then next week it's back for more ultrasounds and non-stress tests.
But we have three babies.
First was the obligatory urine sample. It's a good thing that pregnant women have to pee so much! Then back to the NST room where the nurse set me up on the table to monitor the babies. We located them all, saw their hearts beat, and then someone came in for the next appointment.
Problem? My tests weren't done yet. And there was only one nurse. So, she got the other woman set up on a fetal heart monitor (she wore it strapped onto her belly under her shirt) and moved me to another table just across from her. This meant wiping up all the goop off my belly, wandering across the room, and getting all gooped up again.
Problem? The machine at this station is not as good as the first machine and we're struggling to even see the babies' heads, so we have to go back to the first spot. Which means more de-gooping and re-grouping and re-gooping. The first thing we were looking for was "fetal breathing". Obviously, surrounded by a sac of amniotic fluid, the babies are not actually breathing at this point. But their little rib cages and lungs are starting to get practice with the mechanics of breathing. So the drill was to find a baby's chest area and park there until we saw some fetal breathing motions. Forty minutes later, one of them started contracting. The motions have to last at least thirty seconds or they don't count. Baby A was "breathing" hard for at least that long. Whew! Then, as if they'd all just figured out what the point of the game was, each of the next babies did their demonstration right away when we found their chests. It really seemed like they were saying, "Oh! Is that what you were waiting for? Sorry!"
Next we needed to document the babies' positions. The nurse was having trouble with this so she called the perinatologist in to figure it out. His touch with the ultrasound sensor was considerably less gentle than the nurse's, but his conclusions were also quicker - both boys are breech (and both towards my right side), while the girl is still hanging out up top and transverse (laying sideways).
Finally, the babies' heartbeats had to be measured for a few minutes each. There are only two sensors on the machine, so we had to do them in shifts. They would be racing along for a while and then the baby would move and we'd have to re-locate his (or her) heart. But all the heart rates were good - in the 130 to 150 beats per minute range.
An hour and a half after the appointment started, I was finally all cleaned up and ready to go. The rest of my appointments have been moved to the end of the afternoon, so that I don't "hold up" the other appointments for the day, like I did with the poor other woman who came in. Since the babies are not guaranteed to "breathe" on command, it is possible that the nurse could sit watching for an hour and a half and not see what she needed to see. I was assured that that would not mean they were in bad shape necessarily, but if it did happen, I'd have to be monitored in labor and delivery. I hope that doesn't happen!
After my appointment I ran into the doctor and sonographer in the hall and both remarked on how great I looked. I choose to believe them. Tomorrow is the appointment with the lactation nurse, then next week it's back for more ultrasounds and non-stress tests.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Babies on the move
I know I've mentioned that occasionally when we go in for our ultrasounds we find out that the babies (usually Max) have switched positions. I have heard moms of singleton babies mention that "she likes to hang out over here" or "the baby has been sitting on my (fill in organ or nerve) for days now", but I can't really tell who is moving where since it's wall-to-wall babies in there.
But today I lay back on the couch to put my feet up, looked down, and thought my belly looked a little lopsided. Probing around on the outside with my fingertips, I think the babies have decided to migrate toward my right...making me look lumpy!
Of course, by the time we have our next photo appointment (next Thursday), they will have shifted again, so we'll never know for sure. But if you see me on the street listing a little to the side, at least you'll know why.
But today I lay back on the couch to put my feet up, looked down, and thought my belly looked a little lopsided. Probing around on the outside with my fingertips, I think the babies have decided to migrate toward my right...making me look lumpy!
Of course, by the time we have our next photo appointment (next Thursday), they will have shifted again, so we'll never know for sure. But if you see me on the street listing a little to the side, at least you'll know why.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Intro to Fatherhood and Hook-Loop Tape
After all our doctors appointments and a nice meeting with the Parents of Multiples' New and Expecting Parents group, it was time for Joe's "Intro to Fatherhood" class at Kaiser. When I registered him for it (and paid the $50), there was no mention of it being a "boys only" class. All the other classes I'd attended, intended for the expecting mama, were replete with male escorts, so I thought nothing of tagging along to watch and learn as Joe was taught to bathe, feed, diaper, and swaddle an infant.
Only it wasn't that kind of class.
All the women's classes are fact and practical application based - here's what you're likely to experience in labor, who you should call, and when you should come see us - this is how you should expect your baby to attach to your breast, what it should feel like, and when you should contact us if it doesn't work - etc. This was a "men's group" meeting. And I, apparently, was the first woman in the two and a half years the facilitator had been running the class who thought it was my place to join. But I was welcomed in.
One of the first "agreements" in the class was that what was shared be kept confidential, and I will not violate it. But suffice it to say that during the three hours of the class the men did a lot of talking about their hopes and fears about becoming a father and very little hands-on training in what to do. And that's not a bad thing - I think I probably get that kind of support out of the POM meetings (though with a lot of practical sprinkled in). I just don't think it was the class either of us were expecting, and I don't think it was really my place to sit in.
On Thursday I went to my last Giants game (again). It's like that Godfather line - they keep pulling me back in. This time it was for an on-the-field ceremony recognizing employees who have been with the team for 20-24 years. There were a handful of front-office type folks (the ones who don't have to wear uniforms) and then about ten or fifteen ushers, and some maintenance, ticket office, and security workers. We each got individually introduced and shown on the big screen, and we were gifted pins to recognize our years of service - one each that says "5 years", "10 years", "15 years", and "20 years". I'm quite glad they decided to institute this practice this year - I would've been a bit disappointed if I had missed out on the recognition after my 22 seasons with the team. And the best part was that I didn't have to wear my uniform!
Before the game I hung out in the press box, where people were quite kind asking how the babies were doing and wishing us the best. Fans walked by in front and waved in to me too. We went upstairs to the press dining room for breakfast (the plan HAD been to walk out to the Java House, but halfway through the access tunnel I realized what a foolhardy goal THAT had been...my ankles were not up to that walk). As we walked out of the dining room, I stopped to say hello to Dave Fleming, who has twin daughters and whose wife had recently led one of our POM meetings. He was sitting with Duane Kuiper (who had previously found out about the Salvateenies), and Mike Krukow (who obviously could tell I was pregnant, but apparently wasn't "up" on the news). "Kruk"asked one of those pregnant lady questions, like, "Do you know what it is?" and I answered, "Yes - two boys and a girl." He nearly choked on his breakfast and looked at us in disbelief as I confirmed that we were having triplets. His response? "Well, sweet Jesus in a dump truck! How about that?" Someone walked by and pointed out that we'd already decided on names - Dave, Duane, and Mike. I got a laugh out of the table by saying, "Yeah, poor girl gets to be named Duane..."
Friday my brother came over to build the "twins bassinet pack 'n play" - a play pen with a double bassinet on top that we'd heard about from one of the POM moms. Since we had already been hand-me-down gifted one bassinet, having this covers the other two kids AND saves space (and we have an extra play pen for when they're not sleeping. This will live in the living room where the night doula will stay with the babies.
We were excited to find that the play pen construction instructions were printed ON the mattress, so we needn't worry about losing them. However, the instructions for the bassinet were in a booklet and were a tad confusing. First off, they started with number 16. Numbers 1-8 described how to build the play pen, and 9-15 described how to disassemble it. The directions for the bassinet system, I repeat, BEGIN with #16, which reads, "repeat on second side". Luckily there was a picture to show what that missing step might be. The next step indicated that we should open the "hook loop tape" and slide a board in between the two bassinets. I was looking in vain for a piece of material that would hook through a loop somewhere. Luckily Nathanael deciphered that "hook loop tape" means "velcro". Once we'd gotten through that step (and realized that we had to remove the mattress from the bottom of the play pen and use it as the base of the bassinets) it was pretty much smooth sailing. I just wish we'd thought to hide stuff underneath the bassinets before we put it all together. But now that we've figured it out, it shouldn't be so hard next time.
Only it wasn't that kind of class.
All the women's classes are fact and practical application based - here's what you're likely to experience in labor, who you should call, and when you should come see us - this is how you should expect your baby to attach to your breast, what it should feel like, and when you should contact us if it doesn't work - etc. This was a "men's group" meeting. And I, apparently, was the first woman in the two and a half years the facilitator had been running the class who thought it was my place to join. But I was welcomed in.
One of the first "agreements" in the class was that what was shared be kept confidential, and I will not violate it. But suffice it to say that during the three hours of the class the men did a lot of talking about their hopes and fears about becoming a father and very little hands-on training in what to do. And that's not a bad thing - I think I probably get that kind of support out of the POM meetings (though with a lot of practical sprinkled in). I just don't think it was the class either of us were expecting, and I don't think it was really my place to sit in.
 |
| This is me accepting my award, as seen on the big screen. |
Before the game I hung out in the press box, where people were quite kind asking how the babies were doing and wishing us the best. Fans walked by in front and waved in to me too. We went upstairs to the press dining room for breakfast (the plan HAD been to walk out to the Java House, but halfway through the access tunnel I realized what a foolhardy goal THAT had been...my ankles were not up to that walk). As we walked out of the dining room, I stopped to say hello to Dave Fleming, who has twin daughters and whose wife had recently led one of our POM meetings. He was sitting with Duane Kuiper (who had previously found out about the Salvateenies), and Mike Krukow (who obviously could tell I was pregnant, but apparently wasn't "up" on the news). "Kruk"asked one of those pregnant lady questions, like, "Do you know what it is?" and I answered, "Yes - two boys and a girl." He nearly choked on his breakfast and looked at us in disbelief as I confirmed that we were having triplets. His response? "Well, sweet Jesus in a dump truck! How about that?" Someone walked by and pointed out that we'd already decided on names - Dave, Duane, and Mike. I got a laugh out of the table by saying, "Yeah, poor girl gets to be named Duane..."
Friday my brother came over to build the "twins bassinet pack 'n play" - a play pen with a double bassinet on top that we'd heard about from one of the POM moms. Since we had already been hand-me-down gifted one bassinet, having this covers the other two kids AND saves space (and we have an extra play pen for when they're not sleeping. This will live in the living room where the night doula will stay with the babies.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
31 Weeks
The babies went in for their latest check-up and ... they've moved AGAIN. Now, Daniel, who has been head-down since the very beginning, is breech (butt-first). Max, who had moved to my left with his little feet kicking to my right, is now up on my right side, all curled up fetal position (the irony is intended) right next to his sister, who has not moved from the spot she has had this whole time. She's in the "superior sac", which I'm sure she'll be very pleased to learn.
All the heartbeats are strong and they're measuring right around their appropriate gestational age. As always, Daniel's a little bigger and the others are a bit smaller, but they're all within the healthy range. Max's surprisingly smushed position made it hard to measure him, so his results are a little skewed, but still fine. Daniel is projected to weigh about 3 pounds, 11 ounces right now, Max about 3 pounds, 7 ounces, and Caroline about 3 pounds, 9 ounces. That's a total of 10 and a half pounds of baby! Oddly, I'm actually much more comfortable now (aside from the swollen feet, ankles, and hands) than I was about six or seven weeks ago. Hopefully it holds out for the next five weeks!
Part of every visit is the "vitals" - weight, blood pressure, and urine sample. This was my first real weight jump - I'm now 5 pounds up on my pre-pregnancy weight (but remember, that includes 10.5 pounds of baby, plus placenta, uterine growth, all that extra blood, and fluid retention). My blood pressure was insane - the first time it was checked it was 152/59. The second it was 105/58. When I check it at home it's been in the 130s/80s range all week. But it wasn't too high, so they were OK with it. And they said the urine sample didn't show that I was shedding any protein, so that was good too. But they were concerned I might have a urinary tract infection so they sent me to the lab to give yet another sample. It seems odd to me that I could have a UTI without feeling the symptoms of it - but if they can catch it before I feel the symptoms, even better!
In other news, Joe got his TDAP vaccination (Tetanus and Whooping Cough). So now everyone in my family has it. We still have to check on Joe's family - his folks are looking into whether or not they've gotten it recently. And if you haven't, I recommend you do - especially if you want to come visit the babies! There is a Whooping Cough epidemic sweeping through California and it can be deadly to newborns and infants under 6 months if they're exposed, so be careful!
Tonight is Joe's "Daddy Class" at Kaiser - we'll see if they can teach him to diaper a baby in under a minute!
All the heartbeats are strong and they're measuring right around their appropriate gestational age. As always, Daniel's a little bigger and the others are a bit smaller, but they're all within the healthy range. Max's surprisingly smushed position made it hard to measure him, so his results are a little skewed, but still fine. Daniel is projected to weigh about 3 pounds, 11 ounces right now, Max about 3 pounds, 7 ounces, and Caroline about 3 pounds, 9 ounces. That's a total of 10 and a half pounds of baby! Oddly, I'm actually much more comfortable now (aside from the swollen feet, ankles, and hands) than I was about six or seven weeks ago. Hopefully it holds out for the next five weeks!
Part of every visit is the "vitals" - weight, blood pressure, and urine sample. This was my first real weight jump - I'm now 5 pounds up on my pre-pregnancy weight (but remember, that includes 10.5 pounds of baby, plus placenta, uterine growth, all that extra blood, and fluid retention). My blood pressure was insane - the first time it was checked it was 152/59. The second it was 105/58. When I check it at home it's been in the 130s/80s range all week. But it wasn't too high, so they were OK with it. And they said the urine sample didn't show that I was shedding any protein, so that was good too. But they were concerned I might have a urinary tract infection so they sent me to the lab to give yet another sample. It seems odd to me that I could have a UTI without feeling the symptoms of it - but if they can catch it before I feel the symptoms, even better!
In other news, Joe got his TDAP vaccination (Tetanus and Whooping Cough). So now everyone in my family has it. We still have to check on Joe's family - his folks are looking into whether or not they've gotten it recently. And if you haven't, I recommend you do - especially if you want to come visit the babies! There is a Whooping Cough epidemic sweeping through California and it can be deadly to newborns and infants under 6 months if they're exposed, so be careful!
Tonight is Joe's "Daddy Class" at Kaiser - we'll see if they can teach him to diaper a baby in under a minute!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
ACK-ne (and other inconveniences)
You have heard about my poor sausage fingers and their tingly-numb fingerpads. You have seen the growth of the belly that makes it a chore to stand, bend, or roll over in bed (really, Mom, had you just swaddled me as a baby, maybe I wouldn't have this constant need to flail back and forth in my sleep). I may have even mentioned the unpleasantness of reflux.
But now, apparently, it's time for the embarrassing parts of pregnancy.
Long before we were even trying to get pregnant, I broke out in "adult acne" - or as it was termed by my doctor, "peri-oral dermatitis". I think that's Latin for "icky skin around your mouth". I was prescribed tetracycline and it went away. But tetracycline is bad for unborn babies, so I haven't taken it since last year. And pregnancy, I have learned, is bad for sufferers of peri-oral dermatitis. I now have two lovely red patches, one beneath each of the corners of my mouth, which alternate between oily and white-head producing and dry and flaky. I can only assume this is my penance for having suffered little to no acne as a teen. Or perhaps, it is the revenge of the SalvaTEENies...
Another affliction long associated with pregnancy, but which I had somehow so far avoided, is the swollen ankles. I thought I was going to be one of the lucky ones and only suffer the swollen fingers. Then, yesterday, at a family reunion, I looked down and noticed that the stripes on my socks were stretched almost beyond recognition of the pattern. No problem - I'd been sitting in a car and in wooden chairs all day, nothing a good evening with my feet propped up on the couch couldn't fix, right?
Not right.
Today I took a shower, dressed, and prepared to go out to meet a friend for lunch. I was right on schedule, having for the first time actually accurately predicted how much extra time my pregnant self needed to get ready. And then it happened - the sock hurdle. I could not reach my feet to hook my socks onto them. I couldn't pull my feet up to my knees to even try. So I had to settle for wearing my clogs without socks. Only my right foot wouldn't go in. I sat here, all alone, feeling quite pathetic with one and a half shoes on my bare feet, wondering if it was really too wet outside to just wear my fuzzy slippers to the restaurant. In the end, the shoes stretched enough to get the last half foot in and I waddled out to lunch, but boy was I glad I was wearing long pants because those ankles were not something ANYBODY wanted to see!
I hear that gas is also a big problem at this stage of pregnancy. I'll try to refrain from regaling you with those stories.
But now, apparently, it's time for the embarrassing parts of pregnancy.
Long before we were even trying to get pregnant, I broke out in "adult acne" - or as it was termed by my doctor, "peri-oral dermatitis". I think that's Latin for "icky skin around your mouth". I was prescribed tetracycline and it went away. But tetracycline is bad for unborn babies, so I haven't taken it since last year. And pregnancy, I have learned, is bad for sufferers of peri-oral dermatitis. I now have two lovely red patches, one beneath each of the corners of my mouth, which alternate between oily and white-head producing and dry and flaky. I can only assume this is my penance for having suffered little to no acne as a teen. Or perhaps, it is the revenge of the SalvaTEENies...
Another affliction long associated with pregnancy, but which I had somehow so far avoided, is the swollen ankles. I thought I was going to be one of the lucky ones and only suffer the swollen fingers. Then, yesterday, at a family reunion, I looked down and noticed that the stripes on my socks were stretched almost beyond recognition of the pattern. No problem - I'd been sitting in a car and in wooden chairs all day, nothing a good evening with my feet propped up on the couch couldn't fix, right?
Not right.
Today I took a shower, dressed, and prepared to go out to meet a friend for lunch. I was right on schedule, having for the first time actually accurately predicted how much extra time my pregnant self needed to get ready. And then it happened - the sock hurdle. I could not reach my feet to hook my socks onto them. I couldn't pull my feet up to my knees to even try. So I had to settle for wearing my clogs without socks. Only my right foot wouldn't go in. I sat here, all alone, feeling quite pathetic with one and a half shoes on my bare feet, wondering if it was really too wet outside to just wear my fuzzy slippers to the restaurant. In the end, the shoes stretched enough to get the last half foot in and I waddled out to lunch, but boy was I glad I was wearing long pants because those ankles were not something ANYBODY wanted to see!
I hear that gas is also a big problem at this stage of pregnancy. I'll try to refrain from regaling you with those stories.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Belly Pics
I have no idea if this is something anyone would actually want to see...but I've got the pictures, so here they go:
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| 22 weeks |
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| 24 Weeks |
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| 25 1/2 Weeks |
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| 27 Weeks |
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| 28 Weeks |
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| 29 Weeks |
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| 30 Weeks |
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