Final appointment with UL

Kyle met me at UL for my 12:30 appointment. We checked in at the desk and we passed the few minutes discussing our candy crush accomplishments as well as my stroller research.

It may be ironic that the ultrasound tech was the woman I first saw when I went to my first appointment I ever had with UL. Although I don't think she was having a great day. She started by trying to decide if she should do a transvaginal or a regular ultrasound. I told her they had done the external at Dr. Jamie. She continued to think out loud and I jokingly showed her my little belly bump to say, hey they are bigger. She told me they were still way down in my pelvis. When she left the room I told Kyle, I think she just called me fat! Although as she scanned over them they were not way down in my pelvis! Ha! 

She also told me to pull my pants down to mid thigh to do an external ultrasound...? Really? Don't we think that is a little overkill! I did not, this isn't my first rodeo lady!

Anyhow she scanned each baby in the original order.

Baby C went first this time. Measuring 11w 4d, heart rate of 157. He was napping again.

Baby A which is actually baby B at Dr. Jamie's measured 11w 1d and heart rate was 157. It was also napping.

Baby B which is actually Baby A at Dr. Jamie's measured 11w 1d and heart rate was 175. Baby B was awake and flip flipping around. We could see it's spine as he turned trying to get comfy. She had to try and get the heart rate a few times.

By the way, Mandy says Baby B looks like Kyle! Lol

Next we saw the same female dr that Kyle didn't especially like but she said everyone looks great with great heart rates so she was going to officially release us! So we met the the big milestone and are now on our way! Time to get those lists going.

Mom and I went maternity clothes shopping this afternoon. I got some shirts and some flat shoes. Unfortunately they did not have tall pants so I will have to order those online. We did have fun talking about strollers and looking at baby clothes. It was a really nice afternoon!

11 Weeks

How far along:  11 weeks 0 days

Baby's size: Lime, approximately 2 inches long and .50 ounces each.

Baby's development: The baby's fingers are opening and closing, toes are curling, eye muscles will clench and their mouths now make suckling movements.  If I poke my abdomen the babies will squirm in response.  The kidneys are now excreting urine into the bladder.  Nerve cells are multiplying rapidly.  Their faces are now unquestionably human.  Eyes have moved from the sides to the front of their heads and ears are right where they should be.
Gender: ? But we looked the statistics up last night and it is 37.5% that we will have either a boy/2 girl or girl/2 boy combination.  It is only 12.5% that you would have three of the same sex.

Weight gain: 8 lbs.  I guess that isn't too bad for the first trimester.

Maternity clothes: Yes, I ordered another pair of maternity pants and my SIL brought me some shirts yesterday.  I am still wearing my regular sweaters but I have to tug on them.

Stretch marks: Nope

Belly button in or out: In and I can now see inside my belly button when standing in the mirror so I assume my  uterus has expanded to the belly button area.

Wedding ring on or off: On 

Sleep: Sleeping better this week but still tired.
Symptoms: I have developed a new symptom which I think is Geographic Tongue?  I have spots on my tongue that are missing taste buds.  Weird but when I looked it up, it says it is genetic (Todd has had this before) and common to occur during pregnancy.  Hopefully it will go away although it doesn't really bother me.  My rear is also very sore quickly in chairs.  I suppose it is from all the extra blood flow down there but it just aches.

Food cravings: Waffle or Pancake, really it is about the syrup.  Strange I know but I woke up several mornings wanting them.  Kyle went to Waffle House Sunday night to get me one :)

Food aversions: None this week

What I miss: Hanging out with my friends just as long as my heart desired.  I get so tired and my butt starts aching to where I start shifting in my chair. 

Movement: I have flutters that may or may not be them moving, they say with multiples that you can feel them a lot sooner.  I will be glad when I can so my mind will be put at ease on a daily basis.

Mood: Still very annoyed but also emotional. 

Best moment this week: I guess going to the dr last week.  We got to see the babies squirming around on the screen which is always comforting.

Looking forward to: My final appointment with my RE tomorrow.  I will have my last ultrasound with them and say goodbye.  It is such a milestone!  I will be entering the second trimester next week which is really a big deal.  It also means I have to get my butt in gear and make some plans.  I have so much to do at the house I have recruited my mother to help me organize and figure out what to do with stuff in the spare bedroom.  I also need to clean out my clothes and store the ones I will be wearing again someday as well as give away the rest to make room for maternity clothes.

Dr. Jamie - Kosair Maternal-Fetal

This morning was our first visit with Dr. Jamie at Kosair Maternal Fetal.  We arrived at 7:32 and waited until after 8 to be called back.  They took my weight, which according to them I am up 9 lbs.  But I was fully dressed and I don't trust those Dr. scales.  They took my blood pressure 113/76, always low.  When I was done with my stats we had to wait in a small exam room for ultrasound to get ready. 
Next we were taken into the ultrasound room with two technicians.  I am a circus act for them and they like to practice on me.  The good news was... it was an external ultrasound, woohoo!  It's the little things in life.  So she wanded over all the babies, checking my uterus and the sacs then we moved on to each baby. 

Baby A (Formerly Baby B) was awake and wiggling with long legs.  Heart rate was 174 and it was measuring 10 weeks 3 days which is two days ahead of schedule!

Baby B (Formerly Baby A) was awake and wiggling also.  We couldn't see the legs as well since it was squished up.  Heart rate was 161 and it was measuring 10 weeks 1 day, perfect!

Baby C (Always Baby C) was asleep at first, he did wake up for the second tech, she pressed harder.  I say he because that is the only one that I will let Kyle think is a boy at this point with a heart rate of 154.  He was measuring 10 weeks 4 days so those that said he looked bigger last time, well you are correct.

We really liked Dr. Jamie, she was very nice and informative.  We learned the babies will be delivered C-section and the longest they would possibly let me go would be 35 weeks.  She said it all depended on the babies and my body.  The babies will run out of room and are competing for nourishment so it is possible that one would stop growing late in the pregnancy and depending on the situation they may want to take them and nurture it outside the womb.  She said I would have the steroid shots to prepare them for delivery.
Dr. Jamie said sometimes you may start with three babies but not end with three.  But then she said we had several scans and it looked like everyone was happy and sticking around.  She said each of them having separate sacs and placenta was really good for them and would help lessen their risk.
We talked about my work and activity level.  She still wants me to refrain from lifting things and any heavy activity like bouncing around or running/jogging. (no worries there) 
We talked about testing also.  I found it interesting that blood tests don't show much for multiples.  They don't tell them which baby is effected.  Makes sense.  She also said stitching the cervix closed for multiples doesn't work either, as well as supplementing with progesterone late in the pregnancy to relax the uterus and prevent pre-term labor.  So basically the only test we could really find something out would be the amnio but they would have to do three separate ones and that is three times the risk.  On top of that, what would we do once we had the info besides prepare a dr for delivery.  We will most likely not do an amnio, I guess it doesn't matter because we wouldn't be able to "get rid of one" as Kyle says.
We will deliver at Norton downtown.  She told us they don't deliver at Norton Suburban anymore, they just didn't have the staff to handle two hospitals at once and many of the babies needed Kosair for surgery following delivery so it was just easier.  I told her I was fine with that and it was probably best for our babies to be close by one of the best pediatric hospitals in the country.
So lastly, I asked her about food.  I told her I was hungry a lot and it came on so quickly.  She said I needed to eat at lest 5 meals a day and I could add two snacks of ensure.  My target weight gain is 50lbs (Holy Crap)!  That seems like a lot and will put me well over 200lbs which I find scary in itself.  But I will cross over 200 in a few short weeks anyway.  Oh well, we just want healthy babies and if I have to get fat to do it then so be it.  I hear boot camp calling my name later this year!

10 Weeks

How far along:  10 weeks 0 days

Baby's size: Kumquat, approximately 1 1/2 inches long and .25 ounces each.

Baby's development: The babies have completed the most important phase and are now in the fetal period when the tissues and organs rapidly grow and mature.  Babies are now swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm.  Vital organs including kidneys, intestines, brain and liver are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout the pregnancy.  The babies have tiny nails forming on fingers and toes and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.  Limbs can bend now, hands are flexing at the wrist and can cross over the heart now.  Babies feet/legs are long enough to meet in front of the body.
Gender: ? But we looked the statistics up last night and it is 37.5% that we will have either a boy/2 girl or girl/2 boy combination.  It is only 12.5% that you would have three of the same sex.

Weight gain: 6 lbs.  I am going to continue to go with my measurements when I remember.  Since pre-IVF cycle I have gained a total of 6lbs according to the wicked scale this morning.

Maternity clothes: This is a total yes now.  Today I attempted to wear regular dress pants with my belly band and it is not working.  I feel like I am a mess and my pants might fall off!

Stretch marks: Nope

Belly button in or out: In and I can now see inside my belly button when standing in the mirror so I assume my  uterus has expanded to the belly button area.

Wedding ring on or off: On 

Sleep: Sleep is off and on.  I fell asleep last night before 10 but woke this morning to pee at 4:30 then laid there in bed for about an hour before falling back asleep.
Symptoms: Some abdominal sensations which I think are stretching feelings.  Hunger and it comes on fast but then I can't usually eat a lot at one sitting.

Food cravings: Sugar candy (laffy taffy, starburst, sweet tarts).  I also like pickles a lot and peanut butter but not together.  I have been trying to eat protein bars or fruit for snack.

Food aversions: None this week

What I miss: Yesterday I would have said St. Patrick's Day festivities.  I went to OC just to visit and say I had been there but it was the first time in many years that I didn't work.  I also didn't drink beer from an aluminum bottle which is part of the tradition.  I can say I also didn't stay up till 4 am cleaning the mess up!

Movement: I have flutters that may or may not be them moving, they say with multiples that you can feel them a lot sooner.  I will be glad when I can so my mind will be put at ease on a daily basis.

Mood: Still very annoyed but also emotional.  I have found myself tearing up for no real reason in the last week.

Best moment this week: Spending time with friends and family through the weekend.

Looking forward to: My first appointment with my new maternal fetal doctor.  Dr. Jamie will see me tomorrow at 7:45 after I have an ultrasound.  I will post an update once I see her.  I am excited to get direct answers about triplets and not just generic pregnancy answers.

3.11 U/S & UL Dr. Appt

Today was the fastest visit Kyle and I have been on yet.  I had warned work that I might not be back in the office since it took about three hours last time.


They called us back for an ultrasound first.  The ultrasound tech quickly spotted all three and she wanded over them to make sure they all had heart beats.  Then she began with Baby A, which is the baby that is closest to the cervix.  She said it was a bit of a toss up between A and B but as they get bigger it would be easier to distinguish. 




Baby A was wiggling around, moving it's little arms and legs.  It really looked like a gummy bear with a big body and little arms.  Then she got it's heart beat... 171 and measured perfectly 9 weeks from head to rump.

Baby B was wiggling around too probably more than Baby A.  It too looked just like a gummy bear with a strong heart beat of... 171 and measured perfectly 9 weeks.

Baby C was also wiggling around and it is definitely baby c sitting way up top in my uterus.  This is the baby that will be born last and will kick me in my ribs most some day.  It' s heart rate was 171 as well.

We are blessed with three healthy little babies in there.


Next we met with a fellow instead of Dr. Bohler which saved an incredible amount of time.  She went through the usual of what vitamins I was taking and the crinone.  She said I should continue the crinone until 12 weeks.  Then she said "so keep it up for another three weeks".  I'm sure I had an odd look on my face as it just dawned on me that I am almost to the second trimester!  WOOHOO! :)
She also told me that I needed to eat like I had three babies in there.  Kyle translated that into, "she said your going to get fat".  Not nice husband!
Finally she asked us if we had considered selective reduction.  I had read about it on the blogs so I knew it was something someone would ask eventually but Kyle and I did not talk about it.  So I just told her that and she said well, if you are going to do it we would send you to Memphis in the next couple weeks.
Personally, I didn't want to think about it but I thought Kyle and I should have a conversation about it.  When we got in the hall, he said, "We aren't getting rid of one of them".  It was what I wanted to hear and it made me remember that we do think alike in a lot of ways, believe it or not.
Our next appointment is 3/19 with our new Maternal Fetal Doctor, Dr. Jamie.  She is at Norton Suburban.  Oh and we will have ANOTHER ultrasound. :)  I am so spoiled!

9 Weeks!

How far along:  9 weeks 0 days

Baby's size: Cashew, approximately 1 inch long from head to rump

Baby's development: Our babies are now considered fetuses, no longer just embryos.  The babies are also developing their features with fingers, toes and eyes.  Their hands will also be able to bend at the wrist, while the feet are no longer looking so webbed.  Not only that but the tiny beating heart now has valves.  Babies are now moving around.
Gender: ? But we looked the statistics up last night and it is 37.5% that we will have either a boy/2 girl or girl/2 boy combination.  It is only 12.5% that you would have three of the same sex.

Weight gain: 0 lbs.  I lost those two from two weeks ago according to the dr scale.  I have to get on mine at home to really agree with that.

Maternity clothes: Yes, I now have a pair of dress pants, a pair of capris jeans and a regular pair of jeans.

Stretch marks: Nope

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding ring on or off: On 

Sleep: Sleep has taken a turn.  I am so sleepy but when I lay down at night I am wide awake.  I blame the time change at this point.
Symptoms: Breasts are still tender and I am tired easily.  Oh and no I'm not sick, I realize what a blessing this is!

Food cravings: Today it is tacos?  I know, strange but I really thought a taco bell taco would be wonderful.  Other than today it has been pickles.  I like the flavorful aspect of them.

Food aversions: Sweetened Kool-Aid :(  I bought some at the store not thinking about the sugar part of it and could barely drink it last night.  Guess I'll try again.

What I miss: Not too much right now, maybe a nice cold beer.

Movement: Just wait till my follow-up Dr post - they are moving alright, I just can't feel it yet. 

Mood: I am more annoyed at stupid things and I have to be careful how I react so I have been keeping quiet for the most part. (still true)

Best moment this week: Today's Dr appointment.  It is so nice to feel normal pregnant even though we are only 9 weeks.  We are only three weeks from the second trimester which is awesome!

Looking forward to: My first appointment with my new maternal fetal doctor.  Dr. Jamie will see me next Wednesday at 7:45 after I have an ultrasound.  HA and then I see Dr. Bohler again the following week on the 26th for yet another ultrasound.  I guess I can really document these kiddos.

Another week in the books

How far along:  8 weeks 0 days

Baby's size: Large Olive, approximately 1 inch long

Baby's development: All organs, muscles and nerves are beginning to function.  In the brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways.  Baby's hands bend at the wrist, and feet are starting to lose their webbed appearance.  Eyelids cover more of the eyes and taste buds are forming on the tongue.
Gender: ? But we looked the statistics up last night and it is 37.5% that we will have either a boy/2 girl or girl/2 boy combination.  It is only 12.5% that you would have three of the same sex.

Weight gain: 2lbs - I forgot to get on the scale this week

Maternity clothes: Yes on one pair but I ordered some jeans yesterday :)

Stretch marks: Nope

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding ring on or off: On 

Sleep: I am now getting up at least once, maybe twice a night to pee.

Symptoms: Breasts are still tender and I am tired easily.  Oh and no I'm not sick, I realize what a blessing this is!

Food cravings: Something different all the time, I get burnt out on things quickly.

Food aversions: Again depends on the day and time.  I am hungry a lot so aversions are random.

What I miss: A glass of wine

Movement: None

Mood: I am more annoyed at stupid things and I have to be careful how I react so I have been keeping quiet for the most part.

Best moment this week: Feeling a little more comfortable in the fact that we are pregnant and everything is going fine.  My sweet cousin Meredith and Aunt Bea threw a little celebratory party for me on Saturday with the Short ladies.  It was so nice of them and helped me remember to celebrate and be thankful.  Also, calling the Kosair maternal-fetal office at Norton Suburban, today to set up my first appointment.  They told me I needed a referral but after I said I was 8 weeks with triplets, she changed her tune.  She is now calling my Dr for me to get a referral and said Dr. Jamie would be the one and would be happy to see me. :)  I knew there were advantages to my circus tricks.

Looking forward to: My next ultrasound and my first appointment with my new Dr.  It's kind of a milestone in itself I guess.