My cervix had been shortening through out the pregnancy but that is normal as the babies grow bigger and put more and more weight on the cervix. When and if it gets to short, bed rest is needed, possibly hospitalization.
I drove myself to the hospital and waddled to the office, signed in and waited my turn. I was called back, disrobed from the wait down and waited for the measurements to be made.
This was the routine every other week. My measurements had been in the 30's but this time I knew that something was not good. I saw it in the technician's eyes.
"It's at 14 and down to 4 with pressure. Get dressed and I will go and get the doctor."
With that, she left. Not another word. I had not idea what was going to happen next. The doctor came in.
"Well, you are going to the hospital to stay. Some one will take you there. Good luck to you."
And she left. I was alone in the room. The tone she used to say those words implied that I had done something wrong. That I was in some way responsible for this. There was a phone in the room. As I reached for the phone, I noticed that my hands were shaking. I called Jeff and work and as soon as I heard his voice, I lost it. The tears began to run down my face. I was barely able to get the words out.
Our call was interrupted by a nurse who was going to take my to triage at Labor and Delivery. I sucked in my sobs, wiped my face and got in the wheelchair.
When I was alone again the tears began to flow once more. I had no idea what was going to happen. I had no idea if the babies were alright, if I would be able to stay pregnant much longer, if I was going to deliver tonight. I was afraid, I was alone, I was weeping and I ached for my family.
The Dr. C came into the room. He saw my distress, took a seat next to me and held my hand. And he said those words that I so needed to hear, "Everything is going to be alright."
He explained that I was going to be admitted to the hospital possibly for the duration of my pregnancy. I was not showing any signs of labor and I was not going to have babies tonight or in the near future if he had anything to say about it.
That was all I needed, some compassion and comfort. I will never forget this moment. Something so simple he probably didn't even give it a second thought, meant the world to me and gave me the will to find my strength.
I ended up being in the hospital for 4 weeks and then was discharged at 30 weeks. I was able to be at home for 4 more weeks and have deliver the babies at 34 weeks.
This was a truly amazing time in my life. A time that I learned a lot about my self, my Faith, my husband and my family. I could not have gotten through any of it without those people. I was also blessed with a vast number of prayer warriors. I could feel those prayer and it was a pure blessing.
This is a post that I wrote just a few days before I was discharged home. I feel that I sums up my feelings of what amazing journey my triplet pregnancy was. I truly was and am blessed.
First, I want to thank every one for flooding heaven with prayers on behalf of the babies and me. Last week, I was kinda in a funk and crabby. I feel that I lost sight of the good things that are happening around me and what remarkable things the Lord has done for me.
First and foremost, the most remarkable thing that is I am carrying three healthy babies. Although at times it is not fun and can be very uncomfortable, it is still a great blessing. All three babies are doing so well and growing like weeds. Their weights are as follows; Quinn 3 lbs 12 oz, Jacob 4 lbs 1 oz and Claire 3 lbs. I have now passed Hayden's birth weight. He topped the scales at 10 lbs, 10 oz and I am now carrying 10 lbs 13 oz of babies. There is only one words that can be said, Remarkable.
The second thing that amazes me is all the love and support that I get from my family and friends. The fact that so many people are out there praying for me and my family. I truly can feel God's presence and support. Remarkable.
Last but certainly not the end, is the fact that I have been able to carry these babies for 30 weeks with the hopes of going to 34 weeks. I did not realize this significance until Jeff and I visited the Neonatal unit. Everyone we talked with, was so impressed and over joyed that I was 30 weeks. To me it just seemed like another number in my count down but after seeing those tiny babies, I now know it is Remarkable.
I am now going to try and enjoy the ride that this journey is taking me on. This ride will soon be over and I want to try and see all the remarkable things about it.
It is good to remember this life changing time, a time that I will never forget. This post was the result of one of the prompts from Writer's Workshop and the anniversary of my hospital admission. Go see what other's wrote about.





37 comments:
Oh..that is so cool. I would have so loved to take care of you. My specialty is maternal/child. High-risk antepartum included.
What a beautiful post. And what beautiful babies who are very lucky to have you as their mom.
Stopping by from Mama Kat's.
I am so glad that you and the babies were ok! That sounds like such a horrifically scary thing to go thru! I am so glad your Doctor was compassionate. What was wrong with the first Dr. How do people get away with acting like that?
Great post!
That must have been a scary time. It's amazing you were able to carry them for so long.
WOW! The fact that you carried triplets to 34 weeks is amazing! Good for you Momma!
I can't believe you were in the hospital 4 weeks, that had to suck. I am sure it was very worth it though:)
this brought tears to my eyes. what wonderful blessings you have!!
What a wonderful and touching post! I'm so glad that you have all of your wonderful children and that you share with us through blogging.
There is nothing scarier than when there could be something wrong with your babies. You are so strong!
Very cool post. So glad that everything worked out so beautifully. And that the doctor took the time to give you the reassurance you needed.
That's an amazing story. Arent' you glad that you blog so that you can share these thoughts with the kids in the future?
Gosh! How SCARY that must have been! I can't believe that they weren't more sensitive about it! Hello?!
I am glad that you are on the other side, looking back with 4 healthy kiddos!
What an amazing story. Praise the Lord for your healthy babies!!
wow, that post brought back SO many memories for me!
What a good reminder of what a comfort a well-timed word of encouragment can be! Yours is definitely a story worth remembering.
Blessings!
What a miserable beginning to a blessed event.
What a humbling experience.
All too often as human beings we forget how what we say affects how people perceive the information. What a blessing to have a sweet Dr.
I can hardly believe your trio will soon be 2.
What an incredibly moving post!
It's amazing how powerful just a few very kind words can be. I am so happy that you are all well and happily together now!
I think all labor and delivery stories are fascinating...each different, each memorable...but man.
Remarkable.
Yours was remarkable.
Thanks for sharing your story! I can only imagine how scared you were. I wish the tech and Doc would have been kinder and more considerate of your feelings initially. Then maybe you would not have been so afraid!
I left you an award on my blog if your interested :)
Jen that was such a great story! I could feel your emotion in it. There is nothing worse than getting worrisome news and being alone. Seems to be the only time that some of us are most vulnerable. Bad doctors never help either. I'm glad you posted this. Even though I am not a mom of multiples, I do realize the significance in caring as far along as you can. And 34 weeks seems like a good amount of time. Although I'm sure it was too long for you, as carrying any number of babies can get to that point! =)
Such a great story!
But it does make me wonder about that technician! I mean, srsly? You can't say something like that to a pregnant woman and then just leave her hanging! Sheesh.
Wow. I can only imagine what a life changing experience that was for you! Too bad that first dr didn't have better bedside manner though and save you all the tears.
God knew that it would all be ok. You needed family with you to help you remember that. Nice story...every child is a miracle.
That first doctor could have done a better job communicating with you. Good grief. I know they have to stay a little bit distanced in their job, but come on.
What a great piece! Is it not so important to have a sympathetic gynea? How can somebody be so heartless!
Visiting from Mama Kat's. Wow, triplets...congratulations! What a special blessing and I can relate to the power of prayer! What a beautiful thing to be able to feel that while it's happening!
What a WONDERFUL entry!! I'm a new reader... I have 4 kids myself, all boys... 2 were preemies (1lb 12oz & 3lbs 4oz) and we've had our own struggles. With Noah (my 7 yr old, the 1lb 12oz'er) .. I was told he wouldn't survive the pregnancy, period. If by some miracle he did, he would die right away. If by some huge miracle he came home, he would be so mentally and physically delayed "it wouldn't be worth it" and suggested that I "interrupt" my pregnancy... I said no, flat out. Today Noah is 7, and you wouldn't know there was a thing wrong with him if I didn't explain.
what a nice post!! 34 weeks is pretty good for triplets isn't it? and thanks for sharing a journal entry, they have such power looking back on them! and the NERVE of that nurse. she should have been sacked post haste!!
I'm so glad you wrote about this. I've always wondered about your pregnancy. My pregnancy changed me too. Such a blessing.
What a beautiful post. It must have been terrifying for you to go through all of that! I only had one and with me being so short I probably couldn't carry twins or triplets to term. You are a brave woman!
Wow Jen. I've read most of your early stuff, but not for a while. You tend to forget that a multpile pregnancy can be high-risk when you see three little 2-yr-olds running around like crazy. I would have been a mess. Heck, I got moderate pre-eclampsia at 36 weeks and I was totally freaked out! Terrified! But once I got to 37 weeks (that's considered "full term" here) they just induced me - everything went straightforward then. Why did I freak out so much? Why am I freaking out now that my BP is playing up a little? I need to take a chill pill.
What a beautiful post, truly.
Isn't it amazing what a "It's going to be alright" can do?
And now look at these two amazing blessings you have!
Great post!
OMG how scary that must have been! I'm so glad you had that compassionate dr. and that everything turned out ok!!!
It was neat to read this.
You went through so much.
What a blessing you were able to carry to 34 weeks!~
Great post. Thanks for sharing. I couldn't imagine how scary that would be to just be told you're being admitted and that's it.
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