Twin Tips- Recovery After Triplets…. Nothing Goes as Expected! (Guest Post)
The most important thing I learned from the birth of my first son (who was delivered naturally!) was that nothing goes as expected – nothing happened that first time around like the books and the birthing classes said it would. While that is another story altogether, it did prepare me for the experience of having triplets, as the doctors warn you right from the beginning that you have to be prepared for anything to happen!
Triplets are considered a high-risk pregnancy, so from very early on in the pregnancy we had to see a perinatologist. We knew right from the start that these babies would be delivered by C-section (a vaginal delivery was not an option), that the babies would come early and definitely spend at least a little time in the NICU, and that we had no way to predict just HOW early they would come. From about 24 weeks on we had to be ready to go because so many factors were at play, and so many risks were possible, that truly anything could happen.
I was very lucky – we made it to 34 weeks with no complications or bedrest, and we thought we might actually make our goal of 36 weeks (they don’t let triplets go further than that). But suddenly my blood pressure began to creep up, and the doctor decided not to wait any longer.
The babies were healthy, but had to stay in the NICU until their body temperatures were warm enough on their own and until they could figure out how to feed properly. And in hindsight, I was glad for that time, because I needed to recover. I was very, very sore from the C-section, and also had a lot of headaches, and could not imagine having to bend over and pick babies up during those first couple of weeks.
My parents were in town during that time, and were in charge of my oldest son, who was four. They were also great about keeping the house running, shopping for groceries, doing laundry and cooking dinner for us. I could not have done it! Also, I wasn’t supposed to drive for two weeks after the surgery, so my mom was great about driving me to the hospital every day to visit the babies. We decided to save my husband’s vacation time for when the babies actually came home from the hospital.
One of our girls came home after two weeks in the NICU, and the other two babies came home one week later.
By the time they came home I was able to pick them up. Granted, it was at least two months before I felt really okay again and could attempt to exercise. The headaches disappeared after a week, and my blood pressure came back down after a couple of months. Overall, however, it was much more difficult and painful, physically, than I imagined or was prepared for.
A few things that were key to my recovery:
\”¢ Doing my research and being prepared, mentally, for anything that could happen; know that things may not go the way you imagined, and that’s okay; if you have a chance, take a tour of the NICU before hand; I was so glad to know going into it that the NICU was not a scary place.
\Ӣ Having help ready at home; I could not have managed so well without my parents there to manage my older son and the household chores and all of the physical things I needed help with. Accept all offers of help!
\”¢ Resting a lot and not feeling like I had to be superwoman and do it all immediately; listen to the doctors’ orders and don’t do more than you are supposed to do – you will be up and running after babies soon enough! Also, take the painkillers – there is no reason for you to be in more pain than you have to be.
\Ӣ And finally, we had a night nurse who came several nights a week for the first two months. Feeding three infants every four hours through the night leaves very little time for sleeping, especially if you are like me and take forever to fall asleep. If you can manage it, arrange for someone to help you out at night, even if it is only one night a week. It will be worth it! I personally believe that you can do anything if you just have enough sleep.
Angela is a fellow Texas blogger. You can read more about her on the Twins {& MORE} Board tab and don’t forget to check out her appropriately titled blog OMG You Poor Thing.
First I have to say that I am amazed at anyone who has triplets or more. I know how it was with twins and I can only imagine adding one more to that. I'm so glad you had a night nurse at least for some of the time. The feeding every few hours for the first few months about killed us. I have to agree with you can do anything with enough sleep.
Angela- I think you nailed it on the head- nothing goes as expected. Try as we may.
I can not imagine three babies at one time. And the feeding every 4 hours must have been exhausting.
I just adore the picture of all three of them in the bed together… how long were you able to do that?