[aggierose]

I've been having really bad headaches for the past couple of days, which isn't normal for me. I was just wondering if anyone else experienced this and if it is pregnancy related. Thanks!

[tisha27]

I have a few questions for the "experienced" triplet mommies

Did or has anyone had to go on bedrest before their due date?

I am a teacher (this is our first week back) and I guess I am worried about my health. I am on my feet a lot and already feel real exhausted. It's hard "not" to be on my feet. I know with triplets I need to make sure I take it easy but just want some feedback.

I know I am still so early next week for heartbeats will be a reality check for me I just can't get over the shock of three!!

any advice will help....

thanks,
Tisha

[first2go]

Originally Posted by aggierose

I've been having really bad headaches for the past couple of days, which isn't normal for me. I was just wondering if anyone else experienced this and if it is pregnancy related. Thanks!

Belinda, I had awlful headaches for a couple of weeks, I thought that they would never end. They just stopped one day. I have had a few mild ones but nothing like it was in the beginning. Try and drink a lot of water and rest. Hang in there.

[first2go]

Ana- I had no idea that you need a cerclage. I hope that I didn't miss that in one of your post. I love the way your dr. are being proactive with you. Let us know how your u/s goes tomorrow. Sending you "long" cervix thoughts!!! lol

[aggierose]

Hello again!
I am wondering when all of you started to show? Also, how much weight did you Dr. tell you to gain? What were you told regarding how much extra you need to eat with triplets? Sorry for all these questions! I feel like I have a million, but at the same time I can't even think of what else to ask all of you!

[irena_adler]

Just some info which I thought might interest ya'll -

I had an NT scan today at 12w2d for my twins. After my scan, the doc came in to talk to me about being in a study. Several large studies have found that women with a history of premature babies have been helped extend their pregnancy significantly by being on Progesterone the second half of their pregnancy. This lab (which is a nationwide chain) is setting up a big study to see if it's the same for twins. (They've already closed a similar study on triplets.) I told him that I'd be willing to be in the study, even though I blame PIO a lot for the misery of my first trimester. I figure if I can trade being miserable for a few months and have my babies in NICU for a few less weeks, I'll take it! I'll find out in October if I'm in the study. They're giving 2/3 of the participants the real meds since they're so sure that they'll be helpful. They haven't finished the study on triplets yet, since some of the participants are still pregnant, but things are looking good there too for PIO helping.

[Anastasia]

Laura - Thank you for checking in and your kind words. I hop all is going well for you and DH.

Belinda - First, I have gotten headaches, but they are sinus related as far as I can tell. Second, your OB and MFM (definitely ask your OB for a referral to an MFM if (s)he doesn't volunteer to do so) will talk to you about how much weight to gain. My MFM told me 55 lb's; however, he said it could be more and that is fine. You and Tisha need to go out and bur Dr. Barbara Luke's book, what to expect when you are expecting twins, triplets or quads (I think that is the title). It has an enormous amount of info about what and how much to eat. I personally cannot eat as much as she suggests, but I have been taking protein powder shakes, eating lots of red meat, whole grains, veggies, and dairy as she has suggested. Also, I was in some Maternity clothes by 7-8 weeks and completely in by about 11weeks. I think I really started showing around 10 weeks. Much earlier than a normal singleton.

Tisha - I hope you have disability, b/c especially with your job I think you would stop working between 20-22 weeks. I am an attorney and am in court a lot and this week, I am stating to get the feeling I am not going to make it to 22 weeks (my original, quit work date) without cutting my hours at least. My OB and MFM have said they will fill out whatever disability paperwork is necessary whenever I feel like I need to keep my feet up. With you being on your feet all day it could even be earlier. As for the others on this thread - Roxane quit at 19 weeks, Jen, quit really early as she is a flight attendant, Fran was a SAHM, Shelley didn't work, and Hailey I think worked until somewhere around 18-19 weeks, I could be wrong on these exact times, but you get the general idea.

Jen - Thank you so much for the good thoughts.

Irena - Thank you for posting about this, I have heard that there have been studies on p17 for singletons, I didn't know they were doing a study for trips, I will definitely talk to my OB and MFM about this. I am glad everything is going well for you.

I hope all the mommies are doing well with their babies, we haven't heard from Melissa lately I hope all is well with the baby boys.

Has anyone heard from Lisa? I haven't seen her on here for a while, I know she is busy with her two oldest, I hope everything is going great.

As for me, I have had attack of the swelling ankles and fingers, also, ligament pain, and not sleeping well, obviously just a glimpse into the future. I am so glad it is Friday and I can sit on the couch all weekend, although I know I will feel guilty while my DH does a ton of work around the house. I just keep on telling myself that these babies need me to be horizontal as much as possible.

[Roxane]

Ana I feel the same way. Dh has been painting the nursery all week and all I can do is sit on the couch and watch TV. HA! But seriously my feet are so swollen now. The only thing that helps is to keep them elevated. Im not on bed rest yet but sometimes it seems like modified bed rest since I can only walk around for about an hour before putting my feet up again. Looks like my shopping days are OVER!

Belinda- My doctor sugested I put on at least 60 lbs by the end of the pregnancy. My dietician recommeded eating 900 extra calories a day- which is hard for me. That's 300 cals per baby. I have officially gained 32 lbs and I am a little over the halfway mark. I would also agree with Ana- go buy Dr. Barbara Luke's book about twins,triplets or quads. It is so informative and I felt so enpowered after reading it.
Eat lots of protien and drink tons of water! My DR told me anywhere between 90-100 oz. I think since because when you carry more than one baby you have a tendency to retain more water and swell. So by drinking more water, it helps you reduce the risk of Toxemia. As far as showing, I gave in to maternity clothes at about 12 weeks. It was nice because I didnt feel bunched up anymore in my tight clothes. As far as showing... my boobs were the first to give it away. I went from a B to a D by 8 weeks- sad I know. My belly started to show at 13 weeks....

As far as headaches- thats actually one symptom I dont have!

Just to let everyone know Lisa just stepped into her 2nd trimester!!!! She just recently bought a house and they are trying to settle in so she has not got her computer up and running yet. She did text me yesterday and told me she will find out the genders on Sept. 25th!

Ana- I was wondering the same thing about Melissa. i hope she is doing well. Hey good luck @ your appt. Today!!!! Mine is @ 10 am so I better hop in the shower.

Laura- So good to hear from you. I think about you a lot. Thnx for starting this whole thing. Good luck on your nextcycle!!!

[BabySteps]

I do remember having some really bad headaches in the beginning. I am not sure if it was from the progesterone or my crazy hormones or both but I had them. ugh.

I was not on strick bedrest but told to limit my activities and time standing on my feet at 20 weeks. I was told not to stand for longer than 30 minutes. I was not working so I did not have to worry about that but around 20 weeks or so my DH began to do the housework (YAY), do the grocery shopping and run errands.

Tisha, standing on your job is going to be difficult for you. I was so tired for the 1st trimester and then later on the extra weight made it uncomfortable to stand for very long. I would get a stool and try to sit as much as you can while teaching. Good luck with the next u/s. I heard 3 heart beats at 6 weeks

Belinda, I was told to gain about 1.5 to 2 lbs a week. I gained 75 lbs and the doctors and my nutritionist were happy with that. So far I have lost 65 without trying so try not to stress over the huge amount of weight gain. I have no stretch marks but my lower tummy is soft and the skin is loose. I expected that. I saw a nutritionist for the duration of my pregnancy. I was eating 3000 calories and 200 grams of protein a day. I ate every 2 hours during my awake time. I got gestational diabetes and managed it with diet and avoided taking any meds. When my babies were born their glucose levels were fine

When did I start to show??? I was bloated at the beginning due to fertility drugs. I started wearing maternity pants around 10 weeks and put off wearing maternity tops until later because I wore regular baby doll style tops that I already had. Maternity clothing is really comfortable so don't feel like it is too early to begin wearing them. They have some stylish things at Old Navy and Motherhood and the prices are really good.

Ana, do not feel guilty about taking it easy. Your job now is to gestate!! ~ and it is a job! Don't push yourself at all, it is not worth it.

Roxane, maybe your mall walking days are over for awhile but online shopping is super fun!!

Laura, I think of you all the time. Your strength amazes me. I really believe that good things happen to good people and you deserve some of it to come your way

[Anastasia]

Well, my Dr.'s appointment could have gone better. No need for alarm, the babies are fine, but my BP was up and I have some slightly elevated liver enzymes. I went to the appointment right after a rather stressful morning at work and I got there and my BP was 140/80, the nurse did a urine test and it was negative for protein and glucous, but I have to do the 24 hour urine test on Sunday (literally, I have to keep all of my urine for 24 hours in a jug - nasty!) Then I did the blood test which came out with elevated SGPT/ALT liver enzymes. My OB told his nurse to tell me that he wasn't overly concerned, but I should rest all weekend and they would retest on Monday. Needless to say, I was freaking out after the appointment. However, my OB told me to get a BP monitor and my DH bought one after work and after laying on the couch a couple of hours we took the BP and it was 121/75. The one sort of silver lining was that my iron levels are still low, but have gotten better, so these iron supplements are sort of working for me.

So, I am definitely feeling better, but my DH and my mom have pretty much told me that I need to quit work soon and my MFM, I have a feeling will say the same thing. I am going to see him on Monday, for my anatomy scan so hopefully I will get some more answers then. I do have a feeling that this is at least partially to do with my stressful work environment, and I am prepared to do whatever to make sure I carry these babies as long as possible.

Well, sorry for the long update. I hope everyone has a fabulous Friday night!

[first2go]

Ana--I have been checking in all day to hear how things went. I know you are a little upset but try and relax. My b/p was a little elevated on my last visit as well and I too bought a b/p monitor. I got the one that you wrap around your left wrist from Rite aid and it works pretty well. Have "fun" on the pee collection this weekend, the things we go through?!? I agree with your DH and Mom I think it's time to hand over your case load.

Have a great weekend, rest and relax!!!!

Roxane- How did your visit go?

[Roxane]

Ana Thats a shocker!!! I would have been freaking out too. It sounds like your DR is doing whatever it takes to help you keep the babies cooking. You are smart to quit work early if need be. This is such a nerve racking time right now. We are all kind of stuck in the middle- trying to remain active in our daily lives while at the same time watching our bodies change and doing our best to slow things down and relax. I think I am going to start giving my hubby a to do list.

As far as collecting gallons of urine... hey we have had to do worse things in our IF history. Ahh the stories we will have to tell of how we sacrificed evrything for our babies!!! Even our modesty! LOL

I hope everything looks okay for you by next Monday. Just try to have a relaxing weekend if you can. Have your hubby fan you and feed you grapes...

[Roxane]

As far as my appt... not much to tell. It was my last appt with my regular OB. He doesnt know much about multiple births and is very vague on details. He pretty much just looked at the babies via U/S. No measuring, checking HR or even any printed pictures!!!!
So that was my last visit with him. I am trasferring full care to my MFM next Wed. That is when I see him again and it will be way more thorough. So I will update then. Thnx for thinking of me! I hope everyone has a great wekend!!

P.S. we bought a triplet jogging stroller yesterday from a local triplet mommy!!! Its in awesome condition(just a few stains we can get out) and we got it for a steal at $200!! I was laughing my head off when we brought it home and I was test driving it through our neighborhood. I felt like I was pushing a semi!!

[Anastasia]

I just wanted to report that the anatomy scan went great today. We are definitely having three girls! Everyone looked perfect and they are all about 5oz. My MFM just restricted me to no more than 4 hours a day at work. He wasn't too worried about my blood pressure and elevated liver enzymes, but said I need to relax a lot more. Well tomorrow I go in for my cerclage at 6:00 a.m. Not looking forward to it, but I am glad I am gettting it b/c even though my cervix is still fine, it is shortening a little bit.

I hope everyone else is doing well.

[Roxane]

Ana ~ How fun!!! 3 GIRLS?? Whoo Hoo!! Good luck with your appt tomorrow!! I will be thinking of you!