My Triplet Pregnancy

at my baby shower 26 weeks pregnant with triplets

pictured at 27 weeks pregnant with triplets

Brett and I sat in the doctor’s office for what seemed like an eternity. I talked about everything that came to my mind. I was trying so hard to focus on the joy I was feeling and not the fear that had balled itself in the middle of my throat and was threatening to expose my true feelings. You see, the last time I was in this situation the outcome was devastating and I had spent the last year processing the loss and trying to move forward with hope for the future.

While we waited for the doctor to come into the room I joked with Brett saying, “Do you think it’s twins?!’ he said, “no.” and I said, “I hope it’s not, this time. I hope it’s one and then next time it’s twins!” I wanted four kids and Brett wanted three so if I had twins on my third pregnancy then I would get what I wanted! Haha

After about forty-five minutes the doctor came into the room and performed a sonogram. I was so anxious I couldn’t wait to see our baby and know that everything was ok. We already had one healthy pregnancy/child but the last pregnancy was not so I was anxious, to say the least. This was the first time in almost a year that I got a positive pregnancy test. Immediately when the sonogram image came onto the screen we saw three tiny sacks! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! Brett said the words that I was thinking, “Um, what am I looking at?” The doctor, also in shock, said; “Those are three sacks, you’re having triplets.”

I can’t adequately describe the feeling that I felt except that nothing in me was fearful! I felt such excitement and such responsibility! I couldn’t believe I had been entrusted with three more precious lives, and all at the same time!

That night I went home and googled images of women pregnant with triplets. That was the worst possible idea! In that moment, I got freaked out! Was I actually going to look like that?! Thankfully I can say, I did not end up looking like that! I had a wonderful pregnancy. I had an appointment almost every week between my regular doctor and the “high risk pregnancy” specialist. Every time I saw the specialist he would tell me that most women pregnant with triplets don’t make it past 31 weeks. He kept saying, “We are shooting for 31 weeks.” (full term for triplets is 35 weeks) Me, being the competitive person that I am was bound and determined to go past 31 weeks. I also did not want to go on bed rest AT ALL. I had a two year old at home and I wanted to enjoy every last minute with her before our lives changed.

Thankfully I was able to make it to 32 weeks and 5 days. I never went on bed rest, and I only gained 25 pounds. I wish I had some magic secret to share as to how I did that but I got nothin’.

When the triplets were born they were 4.3 pounds, 3.3 pounds, and 3.10 pounds. Holland, which was the last triplet born, did not need any oxygen. Hazelle and Henry only needed oxygen for a day! We were so fortunate that they were very healthy and really just needed to grow! They were in the NICU a little under 3 weeks although it felt like an eternity! The girls came home almost a week before Henry. That was weird, first it was weird leaving the hospital without a baby but then to go get my babies and bring home two but not all three was so strange!

Life with three babies was crazy at times. Some things I have actually forgotten until my mom reminds me and then I go, “Wow, that was a lot of work!” We didn’t have hired help, nor did anyone stay with us when they were brand new. I take a lot of pride in that because my husband and I were a pretty great team. I nursed them for 6 months, which was such a commitment, but worth it to me. At one point I was pumping a gallon of milk a day! Talk about feeling like a cow!

Since the time they were born until now, I truly feel like the Lord has given me immense grace for this life! I look at them all the time and feel so humbled that I was chosen to be their mom! I can’t even believe I got to experience something that so few women get to experience. I do not take it for granted! I’m grateful for each of their lives and I happily celebrate them today! 

pictured at 31 weeks pregnant with triplets 

pictured at 32 weeks and 3 days pregnant with triplets. (the morning I went into the hospital and delivered the triplets 2 days later.