29. Our last scan and appointment!

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 out sooner. 

I explained my wobble at the weekend when I had become a bit overwhelmed. I also told them that I am determined to make it to the end now and that I am fine coping with it all for just a few more days. 

And I will cope. James isn't working any more so looking after Jack isn't an issue. With him being at home and not working on the house, he is helping me to get dressed and getting to the very few jobs I have been doing, before me. 

The scan results.

The babies were even more difficult to measure today but they, again, have excelled their little selves. 4lb13, 5lb4 and 4lb13! That's a LOT of baby and I simply don't know how they are coping in such a small space! My dad called after the scan and his wife's daughter was born at this weight full term. It's incredible! 

Jack was estimated at a whole pound heavier than he was when he arrived, so in a week, we will see what they weigh in real life.

All of these weights are estimates and, due to their size and the positions they are in, the measurements have been very difficult to get. My pelvis is in the way for triplet Bs head, various limbs were in the way for A, and C is so high under my ribs, he is nearly impossible to see now. But, she kept trying (and I kept wincing), and she got what she wanted.

Our last appointment with Justine and Caroline.

We did lots of talking and getting final plans in order. Although, it wasn't until I left that I realised I didn't ask what time I am needed on Sunday to be admitted, or where. Or what time we will be needed to get ready for the section on Tuesday! Well done me! Nothing a phone call won't sort out.

Firstly, they confirmed that I will be admitted on Sunday for the steroid injections. The closer to their delivery means its safer for the babies. 

Caroline made a comment about how if I'm exhausted now, I will be really exhausted by the end of the 48 hours of blood checks. They confirmed that I will be on an insulin drip and will need to do an hourly finger prick test. Uuuuuurgh, it really is going to be gruelling isn't it! But hey, it will be worth it at the end of it to be handed 3 little babies! 

If I do go into spontaneous labour, it means the babies are ready to go through the trauma of birth. So in theory, they should be ready to take on the world! 

I know I'm determined for them to make it to their booked due date, but if labour starts this week, I won't be gutted. Especially if it means not needing the steroid jabs. 

The last girl with triplets apparently only just missed her due date by a couple of days after going into labour.

Justine made a call to NICU to make sure we are on their radar. If they are full on Tuesday, but looking likely to have space on the Wednesday,  they might just delay us by a day. We are all keeping our fingers crossed that we don't need the delay, and that we don't need to go elsewhere. 

They also talked us through the length of stay possibilities for me and the babies. They hope we will all be home in a week, but our discharge could be staggered. Again, we won't know until the babies are here and we find out if they are all healthy and well. 

Justine asked about contraception, it had been another doctor who we had spoken about it with. I told her to tie the tubes. She asked if I was being serious and we both said yes! She told us she has known 2 triplet mums come back pregnant with twins! Definitely tie them up. We talked about risks of eptopic pregnancy due to sperm fitting through the tubes, but the egg not, and getting stuck. We also talked about James going for the procedure and all other options. We also joked about how there probably isn't a rush, as we are going to be pretty busy for the next few months anyway! 

They asked if we had thought about how we plan to name the babies when they come out. My godmother Lindsay had suggested alphabetical order as they come out, which is exactly how we plan to do it. They will start by being numbered Triplet 1, Triplet 2 and Triplet 3, then we can get their names printed on their little hospital bracelets. 

I am being bombarded with positive thoughts and messages from friends and family, as well as all the hospital staff. People keep calling me super woman, and telling me that I've done amazingly. I don't feel like I've done anything! These three have done all of the growing and developing, I have simply been the transportation. 

Pain and discomfort.

I feel like I have done a lot of complaining about pain on this blog. If anybody is expecting, singles or multiples, yes I have been in pain, but it's never been a continuous issue. They change. Just when I resign myself for the long haul of something, it goes away. Sometimes I've had a lovely long break with no issues, sometimes something new crops up. OK, it's not been pleasant, or easy, but it's been manageable. With a few tears along the way and figuring out the best solution to help. All it takes is one little flutter in my tummy to remind me that I'm not poorly, I'm incubating and it is going to be worth every scrap of discomfort and pain. It's temporary! And I'll tell you what, I cannot wait for the feeling of being lighter than air when this huge lump has been removed! 

I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to a brew and chocolate biscuit!! Peoples brews have started smelling absolutely delicious now! 

How cute is this? My godmother, Lindsay had it knitted for us. So adorable!!