Dr. Smith
Today was my 22 week appointment. Not only did I have the pleasure of my mom joining me, but to my surprise Dr. Smith was the doctor on staff. For those of you who don’t know, Dr. Smith was the first doctor to tell us we were having triplets. He holds a special place in my heart, LOL. He’s very calming and gives you the risks with out being alarming, everything you want in a doctor.
After the technician re-captured Baby A’s heart, then B and C’s and did a massive search for the membrane between B & C, it was then time for my vaginal probe (I know, it sounds like fun). In the end, all my babies look great and my cervix looks “perfect”!! .
Doctor Smith did come in to take a look for himself and to try and find the membrane again. The great thing about having him today, was I hadn’t seen him since the first appointment when he diagnosed the triplets. I had full faith that he saw the membrane that very first appointment, but since then it’s been very hard if not nonexistent for anyone to find.
The good doctor took his time trying to locate the membrane too. I waited patiently with full hope that he would have a distinct view of it, but in the end that membrane was elusive. For shits and giggles I asked him to reiterate what the risks were with not finding the membrane. The main issue is the risk of Baby B & C getting intertwined or tangled in each others umbilical cord. Which, as you can imagine, wouldn’t end up good for either baby. The solution would be to be admitted for daily monitoring, three hours every day until I deliver, this would start at 26 weeks which is 4 weeks from now..eek! The second option would be to do an hour a day of monitoring and say my prayers that those daily monitoring culminate in a positive outcome so that I don’t need a C section earlier than 32 weeks.
I think for my own sanity, daily out patient monitoring would be the best for me, my family and my life style. With having an active 4 year old to take care of, a job, husband and my own thoughts and expectations to manage.
These doctors will continue to look for the membrane, but this is the first time I heard the doctor say, that if they found it, I could go until 35 weeks. I know Dr. Smith and myself were both really hoping to see that membrane today. He said he was kicking himself because he didn’t take a picture that first time he discovered it was triplets.
The thought of not having a C Section until 35 weeks would be great, still going at 32 weeks is still ok, because that's what I’ve been planning for, but the thought of going earlier because of the cord entanglement is a little disheartening. I have faith deep down in my heart and soul, call it mothers intuition or Gods angels on my shoulder, but my body will support this weight and the girls. I'll endure any aches and pains, I know I can do it. The cords and everything else that's going on inside, I’ll continue to pray about and think positive thoughts and see what God has planned for all of us. I can say from my heart so far, aside from my own fears in my head, things have been going well. Medically I’d rather them take the precaution than not. We’ll all have to stay tuned.
Oh and the wonderful doctor said, "I know one thing, these babies are cute!" Well, if the doctor said it, it must be true!
~ Truly Karae
