Our Triplets Journey

I just thought I would give you an update into my recovery and healing. It's been amazing and so quick. The first few days I was having to think about how I was standing and concentrate on standing straight. I was also shuffling along a bit, taking tiny steps. You can tell which ladies have had a cesarean on the ward, because they all do it. It felt like weeks before I was upright and walking properly after Jack, and I was terrified of the pain, so was always on top of my paracetamol and ibuprofen.  This time however, I have been upright and walking almost completely normally from about day 4. It was back ache that kept me bent over for the couple of days before that. And on top of this, I have barely had any painkillers. I have a dose in the morning but forget to ask for it throughout the day. I simply don't need it. I have been taking 2 or 3 doses each day, and I'm opting for ibuprofen to bring the puffiness down in my feet rather than for my surgery pain.  This will soun...

It's been quite a roller coaster these last few days. I am in absolute awe of these little fellas.  We were looking good for going home at the weekend. They were all feeding fairly well at the end of the week, and weight loss was under 10% for all 3. Will had lost 6%, Sam 7% and Robin 9%. Sam had had a feeding tube fitted because of being sick after a couple of feeds. But it had been removed and we were all set to leave and start ourlife at home as a family of 6. On Sunday James had the pram and seats ready in the car, I had started to gather things together for my suitcase, and we were just waiting for them all to be weighed again. On Friday, Robin had maintained his weight and the other two had gained a little. We were all so jolly and I had even had big hugs from some of the staff.  The scales were wheeled in and the weighing began. Robin was first up. And...... he had lost 20grams!!! Everybody looked deflated. It was clear that this result would mean we would stay another ...

I have been overtaken by the most overwhelming sense of calm and clarity. Like this is exactly where I am supposed to be with these tiny little humans. Tuesday, Birthday! On Tuesday morning a midwife came in and said I'm down for 10am!!!! 2 hours away! OH MY GOODNESS!!!  I immediately called James to tell him he would need to drop Jack at nursery and run! He wasn't impressed! Jack was being a bit challenging and he had hoped to have a relaxed morning after dropping Jack off and getting the house straight. He asked me to call Caroline and find out what they know about it.  I called Caroline and she said it was the name of the game that plans need to change. They had obviously taken everything into consideration with the medical team and after care, and 10am was what the new plan was. She would get to work and see what they could do about being there with us. The whole morning was very calm and efficient, just as I remember from Jack's eviction. The surgeon came to introduce ...

First of all, this needs documenting. I tried to climb into the minibus last night to come here, and I couldn't bend my legs enough to do it without James shoving me up with his shoulder. Right in the middle of this drama, our neighbour who is a good friend drove up. What a sight to see! Haha!! 8 am Monday morning update. I'm here, all moved in and wired up.  We got here just after 6pm and I was shown to my own room which has a small fold out bed if James wanted to stay, and my own bathroom. I couldn't believe it!! I was fully expecting to be on a ward being woken by the hustle and bustle of hospital life, as well as the blood sugar checks. I had brought ear plugs and an eye mask in preparation too! James went home around 7.45. There's no point in him staying too. He needs rest to look after Jack, and it meant Lynda can go home too. It's nice that there is the choice for people who want it though. He will come back this afternoon with Jack. Last night, all that happ...

Yesterday's input. The swelling in my legs has become worse by the day. I now brace myself whenever I sit down or stand up. Standing alone is also pretty sore now. It's happened very quickly in comparison to all the other things I've dealt with throughout the pregnancy. I've gone from being OK standing for 30/60 minutes, to much, much less. It's been really weird with the swelling, because I've only ever experienced it when I have a bad hay-fever reaction. This has been visually, as I expected, but I didn't know it could hurt! Very odd, and annoying! I think I'm mainly feeling my thighs because of my tummy pressing down on them when I sit. Also, the muscles I use to sit and stand must be right there.  Today's story. Very different. I ended up calling our midwife Caroline late on Friday afternoon just to talk through the swelling. She told me there is a risk that it could be a blood clot and that I really should call triage and speak to them about it ...

My skin on my belly is really quite sore in areas, so I was half dreading the scan. And I was right to. It was brutal!! I was wincing and squirming a lot, especially while she took the measurements for A and B. By the time she got to triplet C, I had been lying on my back for about half an hour, so my back and pelvis were also absolutely killing me. She did keep asking if I wanted her to stop, but I just wanted to power through and get it done. By the time I was back up and standing and we had said our goodbyes to the sonographers, I was still in a lot of pain and becoming a little teary.  We didn't need to wait long before Caroline came to get us with wide open congratulatory arms. As soon as I sat down in the office I burst into tears. I told them that the scan had been really quite painful and it had just pushed me over the edge, and that I genuinely was emotionally fine. They told me that if I am struggling emotionally or with anything else, it's OK to consider getting them...

I've been surprisingly emotional. I think I'm totally overwhelmed by it all right now. I have a sadness that the pregnancy is nearly over, which surprises me, because I have not enjoyed it at all. Except seeing and feeling them all wriggling around of course. But I realised that I think this sadness is me being protective. They are safe in here, and it's really frightening thinking that we are going to expose them to the outside world. I'm also really sad about saying goodbye to Jack. I have only spent 1 short night away from him in his 2 years and 4 months. James keeps saying "and me!??". And of course him, but he will be there loads and I can call and text him whenever I want. Jack isn't exactly a conversationalist on the phone. 

I recieved a phone call from the diabetes nurse again yesterday and she has told me that I will be admitted during my steroid injection days, but the dates will now be the 2 days before we are booked in for the cesarean. I will be on an insulin drip for 48 hours, then prepped and ready for theatre to finally meet our babies.  How do I feel? Honestly? I'm in a bit of a hazy, shell shocked, disbelief bubble since the phone call. I'm 10 days away from the end of this gruelling pregnancy, and then we are going to be presented with 3 tiny humans to look after. From day 1, I have been fully expecting their arrival to be taken out of everybodys control. I was expecting anything like going into labour, waters breaking, or some kind of medical issue that would require much more sudden, and much earlier delivery. I have been expecting these things from about 22 weeks, and before that I was expecting other problems or the obvious risk of miscarriage. Now that we are 10 days to our planned...

Diabetes I recieved my check up call from the diabetes clinic this week and the new meds seem to be keeping everybody happy. Just need to keep doing what I'm doing.  She did inform me about the fact that I may need to be admitted for the 2 days I will be having my steroid shots. Apparently they can cause blood sugar to go a bit nuts, so I will need to be closely monitored and possibly be put on an insulin drip. She said she will speak to Justine and see if we can be monitored from home with more regular finger prick tests linked to the app. I will find out at my next appointment next week on which decision has been made.  Swelling and pain Over the past 4 days, my feet and ankles have started to swell up a bit. Nothing major, and I've been expecting it. About 4 days ago I had a really sore patch on my inner thigh which I had put down to a bruise caused by Jack climbing on me. He is all elbows and knees at the moment, and loves to climb on us. It feels like a really bad bruise ...

The dreaded Belly itch can be horrendous! I really struggled with it when I was pregnant with Jack, but I feel like I have had it under control this time with a bit of a routine, and a home made remedy. What works for me Oils. I stopped using moisturisers and use only oils now. Twice a day, but more often if I need it. I use bio oil in the morning, and a cocoa butter oil in the evenings. No specific reason, just how it's worked out and works for me.  Very loose clothes. I have been wearing maternity clothes, but at around 24 weeks, realised they are aggravating the itch as they are fitted. I bought a couple of mens XXL t-shirts and jumpers. This has been a game changer! I still wear my nicer clothes when I go out. But it's winter, so jumpers and coats cover the t-shirts. I'm barely going out, and if I'm just going to a friends house, I stay comfortable and itch free. Well worth a few quid at a charity shop. I'm also not bothered about them getting covered in oil. Wi...