And the big new is, dang, dang, dang, tomorrow the babies are coming out!
Last day of my triplet pregnancy.
Last day of carrying my three babies inside me.
Last day of feeling my babies move and kick inside my belly.
Last day of feeling the weight of my three babies pushing on my pelvic when I walk.
Last day of carrying an additional 23.5kg on me.
The idea of that with effect from tomorrow I would no longer be pregnant with triplets leaves me with a strange, strange feeling. I've got so used to having them inside me, it's hard to imagine how it would feel like without them.
DH and I had always hoped I could carry the babies till at least 35 weeks. The NICE guidelines for multiple births recommended that for uncomplicated triplet pregnancies, a scheduled c-section be done between 35 weeks 0 days but before 36 weeks. So when our Peri wanted to schedule a c-section at 34 weeks, I was naturally dissappointed. Keeping the babies in longer in the womb meant less days in NICU, less changes of infection and hopefully healthier, heavier babies. Our Peri is a very organized, careful doctor, and he explained that the risk of me going into labor and having an emergency c-section after 34 weeks was much higher. And an emergency c-section over the weekend or in the middle of the night would not be good since they would be lacking staff. The other problem was the ventilators at NICU. Whether or not there would be enough ventilators has always been a big issue, especially since this hospital has a high birth rate.
So feeling very pressured to go ahead with the delivery at 34 weeks, DH and I weighed the pros and cons of doing so and waiting a llittle longer. DH did say that the Lord has brought us so far in our triplet pregnancy and maybe we should not be greedy and ask for more, i.e. 35 weeks. Certainly waiting would upset all the medical staff off and put a lot of stress on our Peri, which would not good either. There was another factor that helped me make the decision. My contractions have been increasing in intensity and frequency. They are still painless, but I do feel a bit breathless and muscle tightening not just at my uterus, but also all around my abdomen and my back. My belly gets rock hard when I get a really strong contraction, which is often enough. Late night till early hours of the morning are the worst. I get a contraction every eight minutes or so.
I've read a lot about the use of a terbutaline pump and injections to reduce the contractions, but my Peri doesn't want to use either because of the side effects. I don't even think we have a terbutaline pump here! So the only thing I'm on to reduce the contractions are the tiny Nifidepine pills that they give me 3 to 4 times a day. Well, they don't seem to be working anymore. I'm thinking maybe my contractions are an indication that my babies are ready to come out.
So from feeling emotional and a bit of a failure for not being able to keep my babies in for at least 35 weeks, I've been feeling a lot more peace about proceeding with the c-section on the 9 August 2012 - that's in a few hours time today!
My entire family came down for dinner today and sis bought me Kenny Rogers. Was wonderful having mac and cheese, something I have been craving for a long time! I ate my entire chicken set meal and then took the leftover chicken that DH could not finish. Who says a very pregnant woman with a triplet belly cannot eat too much at one go!
As of today, there is still a slim chance that the c-section will not take place later. We were told that a set of twins were born yesterday, taking up two ventilators. Later, the resident doctor came in and told me that they had two ventilators available. Yet, anything can happen overnight - a new preemie baby may be born needing a ventilator. So the c-section can only be confirmed tomorrow morning. If there really aren't enough ventilators, then the c-section will be postponed to Friday. If there are still not enough ventilators by then, the c-section will be postponed to Monday. This really doesn't help my anxiety!
Today also marks my 100th day of hospital stay for the year 2012 , 90 of which is my hospital bed rest. The other 10 days in the hopital was when I was previously admitted in January at the onset of my pregnancy with OHSS.
I'm signing off now. I need some time to pray and ask the Lord to calm my nerves. I'm terrified about the surgery and the painful post-recovery. You might wonder if the excitement of meeting my babies would overcome these other negative emotions, but do remember that I may most likely not get to see my babies until the day after.
The next time I write I hope I will bring good news. Till then, a very anxious and apprehensive triplet mama signing off!
(4.30am, 9 August 2012)
Here's a picture of DH asleep on the lazy chair in my room. He was so exhausted and unwell with a fever one night that he took a nap and couldn't wake up till noon the next day! One important perk of having a hubbie who is a specialist in the hospital that I am in is that he doesn't get chased out after visitation hours are over.
No comments:
Post a Comment