Helen's Birth Update

Originally posted 8.29.07

I finally have a minute to breathe and update here!

First, thank you all for your prayers - they have obviously been working. Not only did I have a great pregnancy, but the boys are doing wonderfully in the NICU! I wanted to give you a little insight into the last 3 days while sparing you the gross details (like things we overheard during the c-section).

Monday morning at 4am my water broke. I don't think I've gotten out of bed that fast in months! Once in the bathroom I realized that for sure that's what was going on and I woke Nick up. Thankfully just hours before this all happened I had decided we should have my bag packed - "just in case", so we were able to grab our things quickly and were out the door in minutes. On the way to the hospital I called the on-call doctor to let him know my water broke and we were on our way. 15 minutes later we were walking (yes I walked in) into the Labor and Delivery unit of the hospital, where they hooked me up to heart monitors for all three boys and hooked up a contraction monitor. I didn't even realize at the time that I was contracting! The nurse checked for dilation and I was 3 cm, by the time the doctor checked me 45 minutes later I was 5 cm and I could feel some of the contractions! At that point the Dr. said we were having the babies and off we went to the OR for my c-section. It was so odd to suddenly go from no kids to 3 kids within 2 hours time!

After my initial C-section recovery in Labor and Delivery I was rolled up (bed and all) to the NICU so I could see my boys. They even let me hold little Jackson :)

The rest of my day was spent in bed, constantly being poked and prodded by nurses and doctors. Nick made several trips up to the NICU so that he could keep me updated. I'm feeling better and better each day, and there's talk of discharging me tomorrow perhaps (depending on how I feel).

The boys are doing remarkably well right now. They have yet to need any breathing assistance! All three are wigglers, but especially Tyler - he's constantly wiggling all the way to the edge of his isolette. Earlier today Tyler had his IV removed and the nurses are hoping Jackson and Chase will follow later tonight. All three now have feeding tubes in their noses and are taking food well. Chase is under some photo-therapy lights right now due to some jaundice, which is to be expected. All three boys have now been held by one of us - Nick held Chase yesterday and I held Tyler today! Hopefully we'll have some more pictures to post soon - my digital camera decided now would be a good time to not work anymore... grrr!

Love to you all!

Jackson 4lbs 4oz

Tyler 3lbs 11oz
Chase 4lbs 7oz

The Boys Are Here!

Originally posted 8.27.07

Nick is providing this update........:)

THE BOYS ARE HERE!! On Monday Morning, August 27 at 6:11, 6:12, & 6:13 in the morning our 3 boys were born!! All are doing well and will be spending some time in NICU since they came a little early. Helen is recovering after a very long morning. She did great and the C section went well!! We left the house a little after 4 this morning and arrived at the hospital around 4:30. After a few tests the doctor determined the boys were ready to come out! Helen will remain in the hospital and will hopefully be home by the weekend. We are not sure how long the boys will be in the NICU but it will be at least a couple of weeks.

Videos are coming shortly so check back soon!!

Nick :)

A Trip To L&D

Originally posted 8.23.07

We've had an exciting week here...

Monday night I had 6 contractions in 45 minutes so the doctor had me head to Labor & Delivery just in case. It was emotionally overwhelming driving to the hospital but I had pulled myself together by the time we got there. Nick commented that it was like a practice run for us! Anyway, while there they hooked up heart rate monitors for each of the babies and another monitor to watch my contractions. Turns out it was nothing, so 3 hours later I was told I could either head home or stay the night - whichever I was more comfortable with. I obviously chose home and at about 12:30am I was discharged and Nick and I headed home.

I asked the doctor today IF I had indeed been in labor Monday night, would they have tried to stop it or would they have delivered the babies. She said they would have gently tried to stop labor so that they could give me a steroid shot for the boys' lung development, but that would have been all. She said after I reach 34 weeks they won't attempt to stop labor - so that means in about a week and a half these boys will be permitted to arrive :)

My doctor appointment went well today - the boys look great and are growing really well! The doctor measured them and I am now the proud carrier of more than 12 pounds of baby - whew! The boys are weighing in at 4 lbs 7 oz, 3 lbs 10 oz and 4 lbs 1 oz. The little one is finally catching up with his brothers. The doctor is thrilled with their growth, as am I!

I have another appointment on the 30th, so I'll update then. Hopefully nothing exciting happens between now and then :)

House Arrest

Originally posted 8.9.07

I just got back from my weekly appointment and all is well with the boys and me! The doctor did another biophysical to check out their hearts, practice breathing, muscle movements and fluid... all looked great around each boy. She did ask me to eat something right before coming in next time though - the boys weren't very active. In fact, she had to press on my belly several times to get one of them to move for her.

My blood pressure was a little bit higher than normal, but it also did this once earlier in the pregnancy so they aren't concerned right now. It has been extremely hot here and as a result my hands have swelled just enough that I took my wedding ring off just to be safe (I'd hate to have it cut off if I'd swelled anymore). The doctor and nurse both remarked that I have so little swelling and they can still see my "skinny little ankles"!

I've been experiencing more and more Braxton Hicks contractions. The most I've had are four in one hour and that happened when I went to church last Saturday. I can usually slow the contractions or make them go away altogether if I lie down but there wasn't a spot to do that at church. As a result of that little episode I've place myself under house arrest pretty much - I just feel much more comfortable if I'm able to lie down at a moments notice. However, I still am not officially on bed rest!

I think it's just starting to dawn on us that these babies will be arriving very soon! The nursery is set up and there's very little we NEED still (although there's lots that would be nice to have). I've posted some pictures of the babies' room below - there's still some decorating to do (I guess Nick has his eye on some Pooh Bear prints he wants to buy) but you get the idea.

I have another appointment next Thursday, the 16th! I'll update then.

Contractions?

Originally posted 8.2.07

It was a quick appointment today, so there's not a whole lot to report.

The boys are all looking great still and the fluid around them is looking good as well. Next week we'll do another biophysical and measuring I believe.

I've been having some Braxton Hicks contractions here and there, but until the contractions are regular the doctors are not worried. Amazingly enough I'm still not on bed rest either! I am taking it really easy though, in fact Tuesday was my last working day so now I just sit at home.

Hopefully by the end of this weekend we'll have the nursery all set up and I'll be able to post a picture or two! I'm really excited to see it all come together.

I'll update again next Thursday after my appointment! Hopefully next time the boys will be in good picture taking positions.