11W6D - Ultrasound Results

So, we had another u/s today to check on the triplets, specifically the twins. They suspected that the twins were monoamniotic-monochorionic twins and today they were checking to see if there was a membrane between the twins. The day was incredibly long and started out with us being an hour early for the appointment. We were told to be there for 10:30am, but somehow they didn't actually book our appointment until 11:30am. By 12:30 or so, we were finally seen by the technician. H. was with me. He got a bird's eye view of the screen and kept making comments about how active the babies were and how they were jumping around. I did get a little screen time and was able to see one of them moving their hands around and putting them by their face. Too cute! All the babies are measuring well - 11w6d, 12w and 12w2d. The NT measurments were 1.3, 1.8 and 1.3 - all in the normal range.

It took quite a long time, with a few breaks to get all of the shots that they wanted of the babies. At the end of the appointment the high risk doctor came in and looked at the twins to determine if they were "sharing an apartment or sharing a room" as the technician put it. It turns out they are in fact in separate amniotic sacs. We were momentarily happy about that. But, the reality is that the twins are sharing a placenta. And, this can create many complications. There was some indication that TTTS had already set in as the membrane of one of the twins appeared to be wrapped closely around its head. We are to go back in two weeks to take another look.

We were told that one of our options is to reduce the twins so that we'd be left with a singleton pregnancy. This would give a better chance of carrying full term. We're not really sure what we're going to do. We will at least wait to see what the next u/s shows us. We are leaning towards just moving forward with things and seeing how it goes. But, there are so many factors to take into account. H and I have a lot of discussion ahead of us.

Such a bittersweet day.

11W

Well, I am 11 weeks along today. It's weird. I am so tired and so nauseous, but I don't really "feel" pregnant. I don't think that I'm showing, altough H. thinks I am. I always had a belly, but now there's a bit of a different shape to it. Maybe, I'm showing. I was down 8lbs the last time I checked, but I'm sure the weight will start piling on soon enough. I am reading a book that's for women expecting multiples, the dr. in the book recommends gaining between 58 and 75lbs regardless of how much your starting weight is. I cannot imagine putting on over 60lbs. It's just plain crazy! There is so much evidence to support what she's saying though; the multiples that are born through her practice are 35% above the average weight for multiples and spend less time in the NICU. This is a big incentive for me. I'm going to talk to my doctor next week when we're there about this book and how realistic it is for me. We go for our u/s on June 23rd, I will be 11w6d along. As you know, we are hoping that they see a third sac that day. Please keep us in your thoughts.

On another note, things are getting busy at work and at home. This weekend we have dinner at a friend's on Friday and dinner at my parents' for Father's day. Tonight we're bring the wheaten in for her shots, we already tooke the lab in. Next week, on Tuesday we have the New and Expectant Parents night with the local multiples group. I'm really looking forward to that. Also, I'm working from home next week because of the G20 summit in Toronto. My office is pretty close to the site and for safety reasons I won't be going into the office.

Anyway, that's all I've got for now.

H.

I just want to take a minute a write about my man H. I know he's going to be an amazing and an involved Dad. He's already making sacrifices to make sure he's there for me and the triplets. I think I mentioned earlier that he got accepted to start his MBA in the fall and how proud I am of him. He has decided to defer starting the MBA until next year so that he can be here and available for me and the triplets when they're born. It is a load off of my mind knowing that he will be completely available at that time.

The other wonderful thing about H. is that he's already started taking care of me. He sees how sick and how tired I am all of the time and he's started taking on more of the chores around the house. He is cooking dinner, doing the groceries and doing the laundry for me. He won't let me lift anything that's too heavy and generally just looks out for my best interest.

He's being amazing and I just felt the need to acknowledge him for that.

Doing a little better

I found a forum for parents and expectant parents of momo (monochorionic and monoamniotic) twins. The information there was enlightening. First, since I'm being diagnosed based on a 7 week ultrasound, there is a chance that I've been misdiagnosed. I am hoping that at my u/s next week the magical 3rd sack will appear. That would still mean that the twins are sharing a placenta and we'd have to watch out for TTTS - inequal sharing of nutrients etc - one twin laps everything up while the other one dies or is significantly smaller.

A lot of women with momo twins go into the hospital for daily monitoring around 24 to 26 weeks. A man on the forum, himself the father of momo twins, wrote that entering the hospital means that if something goes wrong they will deliver the twins and therefore you need to be ok with the implications of having those twins at 24 weeks. H. and I have used this information to formulate an approach that we feel comfortable with. We'll be able to use this info when we talk with the high risk doctor next week.

I always feel a little bit better when I feel like I have some control. Having a plan, gives me the semblance of control back and has helped me to feel a little better about the outcome of this pregnancy.

I also feel sorry for the fraternal in there. There s/he is floating around minding its own business and if something goes wrong with the twins that can end the fraternal's life. That's just crazy.

I feel bad that there is nothing I can do to make sure all 3 are safe and secure. I am taking my prenatals and I am eating as much as I can. I am really really sick still. The worst is puking first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Blech! I have lost 8lbs now. I know that I'm eating lots and that eventually things will turn around so I'm not worried about that.

Every time I complain about how crappy I feel or that I hate throwing up H. reminds me that this is what I wanted. And, it's true, whenever I thought about being pregnant and the possibility of morning sickness etc I always thought to myself "I'll take it all just for the chance of being pregnant". And, for the most part I still feel that way, some days though when I just feel like shit warmed over it's hard to keep that though front and center. The other thing H. pointed out is that if I wasn't having any symptoms I'd be worrying myself sick. So, it's best that things are as they are.

Oh, and I'm done my progesterone now. The original plan was to take it all the way until I hit 12 weeks, but I had to order more meds (my Dr. here would not prescribe them) and the meds got stopped at the border. They were refused entry. I went to my RE in CR (well emailed) and he said it's ok to stop now. I haven't used one since Thursday and I'm feeling ok. I will continue my estrogen until this Friday and then I'm done with that. I can't wait! The less pills I have to pop the better.

10W1D - First OBGYN Appointment

So, I went to me first OB/GYN appointment today. Both the nurse and the doctor are very nice. I was hoping for an u/s but didn't get one. We found out that we are at a very high risk of losing this pregnancy - losing all 3 of the babies. It was a pretty hard appointment to sit through. The doctor listed all of the risks... primarily that they think the twins are in the same amnio sac and that they're sharing a placenta (1% of twin pregnancies are this way - monochorionic and monoamniotic aka momo). There's a danger that the cords can intertwine cutting off supply to one or both of the babies. The cord could strangle one or the other. Losing one or both of the twins could force my body to dispose of everything in the uterus, which means even though the fraternal baby is healthy we could lose it. The doctor also said that triplet pregnancies aren't safe until after 24 weeks when they can actually attempt to save them. Up until then there are no guarantees. We talked about reduction and the likelihood that even if we chose to reduce the twins then there's a significant chance we'd lose all 3. Fun times. I cried. All I could think is that we've been through hell for 3 years and then we finally get pregnant, see the heartbeats etc, I'm finally coming to terms with the prospect of being a mom to triplets and then I hear how it could all just slip through my fingers.

I know the doctor has to prepare you for the worst, but wow, I'm still just trying to digest everything. We have an u/s scheduled for July 8th - I'll be 14 weeks along. We could have gone in at 12 weeks, but the dr. kept saying that between 14 & 16 weeks is where they'd be able to tell if the twins are in different amniotic sacs. Now, it's just a waiting game. And, a praying game. I am praying that the twins are in different sacs and it was just too early to see the walls of the sacs (which is what the dr. said is possible).

Thank god, H went with me. He was my rock and asked a bunch of really great questions while I sat there looking like a deer in the headlights.

I'm scared, but I'm choosing to look at things positively. I'm still throwing up and feeling like crap. That must account for something.

UPDATE - I just got a call from the u/s technician that will be doing my u/s. She called the other lab to get a copy of my results and the pics - she has moved my appointment up to June 23 (I'll be 11w6D) - the u/s will take an hour and a half and then I've got an appointment to see the high risk doctor. I don't know whether to be happy about this or scared since they want to see me sooner. It makes me feel better to have less time to wait and worry. Who knows, there may be 3 sacs in there after all.

9W4D

I am 9 weeks and 4 days along today and still feeling horrible. Before I get into what's been going on with this pregnancy, I want to apologize for seemingly dropping off the face of the earth. I was at a conference last week in a city different from my own and I didn't have time to blog or check in on most of your blogs. I'm trying to read along and keep up with your journeys, I just may not be commenting as much as I used to - I just don't have a lot to say.

We are still trying to absorb the triplet news. It is amazing that we were lucky enough to get pregnant, let alone with 3 babies. It's just that financially, emotionally and mentally we're not quite prepared for 3. It's still a lot for me to digest.

H. is supposed to be starting his MBA in late August, if I make it to 34 weeks (typical time of delivery for triplets) I'd be due around November 25th. I don't know how he's going to be able to work full time and do his MBA while being available to help me. We are looking at various options - e.g., him deferring for a year. But, then I think a lot can happen in a year - will he actually still do it? Can we handle it if he does do his MBA and we have 3 newborns at home?

We also don't have a room for my Mom or anyone to stay in to help us after the babies are born. We're looking at selling our home and moving out of the city or at least a little further east. Then there's the car, we have a Chevy Equinox. I'm not sure that 3 car seats will fit across the back of the car. We may have to get something bigger. That will accomodate 3 babies, 2 adults and 2 dogs.

On top of all of the what ifs and life changes, I am sick. I hate throwing up and fight it with every ounce in me. I will sit with a churning acidic stomach for hours rather than giving in to throwing up. I have pulled a muscle around my ribs from the vomiting. And, then there's the sheer exhaustion; exhaustion like I can hardly believe.

I am eating every couple of hours and to date I've lost 6lbs. I'm a big woman, so I know the babies are getting what they need, but it's strange to be eating as much as I am as often as I am and not gaining any weight. I know this will change; it just hasn't happened yet.

I know I've done a lot of complaining, but I wouldn't change this for the world. I know I should be more cautious about things, but I am just so thankful that we're going to finally have our family. I guess I am counting my chicks before they're hatched. We have our first appointment with the OB/GYN on Friday = dr. S. I think we'll also be doing another u/s then as well so we'll be able to see how everything is going. I'll post afterwards to let you know how it went.