Matt and I saw Dr. Phillips today, which we always do after seeing Dr. Berry, and we toured the NICU at St. Davids.
Boys looked great, and all is well. I'm measuring at 30 weeks, and that disparity will continue throughout. In a few weeks, I'll be measuring much like a woman who's full term with a singleton.
We talked about delivery, back pain, bed rest (none yet!), and about circumcision....just regular conversation when you're making three little boys at once. He also said that no matter what his call schedule is, he'll do his absolute best to deliver my boys. Unlike with a singleton, doctors really do try to be the ones to deliver their triplets no matter what the timing might be.
He's happy with everything so far and sounds optimistic that we'll be able to keep the boys cookin' to 34 or 35 weeks, which would be wonderful. At this point, I'll see him every two weeks until 30 weeks and then will see him every week for complete biophysical profiles of the babies to make sure all are thriving. We'll continue to see Dr. Berry every month until 30 weeks and then once a week until delivery. If we make it to the average gestation for triplets, they'll come right around Halloween. If we go as far as we'd like, they'll be here the week before Thanksgiving. We like to have babies around the holidays...it just makes it more festive.
Dr. Phillips is an identical twin himself. He said his best piece of advice is to avoid matching clothes, rhyming names, and endless comparisons. He said if we do nothing else...always remember that they're individuals and treat them that way. This is something Matt and I are totally committed to, and it's always nice to hear the perspective of a twin on the subject.
After our appointment, we toured the NICU. It was a really emotional experience for me, since I obviously have to envision my babies there. But it was also really great to see the type of care and support that will be available to them.
We learned about the equipment, the levels of care, how they handle multiples (once they're strong enough, they'll put them in the same crib if possible), where I'll be able to pump (which at this hospital is bedside....a big relief since some won't allow you to do that), who and how many visitors they'll allow, etc...The charge nurse also told us that it's almost assured that our babies will come home at different times. In 18 years, she's had only one set of triplets come home together. It's just another testament to them being individuals. They'll progress differently and come home at different times.
We left feeling like we understand the lay of the land. We met the head physician and charge nurse and feel completely comfortable with the care they'll provide....all while hoping our stay there is short and sweet.
Update in a couple of weeks. Thanks again for all of the sweet calls, notes, and help you're giving us. I love how much our babies are already loved.
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