It is really an interesting time to be pregnant with multiples given all the publicity surrounding the Octomom in CA. Upon finding out that I’m pregnant with multiples, I’ve had several people say, “You’re like the Octomom!” which not a particularly flattering comment. I guess I would be flattered if the reference was to my uncanny resemblance to Angelina Jolie but I’m pretty sure that is not the intent of the observation. So I wanted to set the record straight and to answer the other question of “Do triplets run in your family?” which is really just a polite way of asking if we did infertility treatments.
After not getting pregnant on our own, multiple tests show no reason why and my age putting me in a “high risk” category we were referred to reproductive endocrinologist, or fertility doctor. We went in for a consultation and that first thing I said was that I didn’t want to end up on the news or the Guinness Book of World Records. He assured me the goal is one baby and one healthy pregnancy putting both baby and mom at least risk. If we decided to do IVF, their practice is to only implant 1 or 2 fertilized eggs and no more and from what I understand is really the standard practice at most fertility specialists.
We opted to do IUI which is intrauterine insemination, formally known as artificial insemination. I gave myself a series of shots to mature the eggs or follicles and had an ultrasound every 2-3 days to monitor the growth. If it looked like I had more than 2 mature eggs at the time of the procedure we had to agree the whole thing would be cancelled because they would not risk more than 2 babies.
So how did I end up with triplets?
Excellent question!
We (and when I say we, I also mean my doctors) really don’t know. We went back and looked at everything and I didn’t have more than 2 follicles so it is one of life’s great mysteries. I like to say that we didn’t need as much help as they thought. Rich thinks he just has persistent Ironman swimmers. Or we could have a set of identical twins. Who knows? All that we know is that right now we have 3 babies that are going to light up our lives. After I told one of my friends about the triplets, she said to me, “You have always been one of the luckiest people I know.”
I agree. I’m sure I won’t always feel so lucky, for example when I’m changing 36 diapers a day and sending Rich to Costco to go buy more. And tomorrow when I have to start wearing full length maternity compression pantyhose (suntan color of course) to prevent lower extremity swelling and blood clots, per doctor orders, I may not be too pleased especially when the Texas 100 degree days hit. But I agree.
I get another sonogram on Friday and we should know the sex of the last baby, the elusive Baby C. Rich is convinced it is a girl. He better not be saying that because of the old wives tale of being pregnant with a girl if you carry your weight in your butt and thighs. Any bets?
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