Monday, October 5, 2009

It was nice while it lasted...

Back to the couch with me. Do not pass the nursery, do not fold clothes. Bed rest is in effect again.

The boys looked fantastic today! They were all swimming in lots of fluid, wiggling around with strong heart beats and showing us their breathing. Go boys! I asked what the results of my fFN from last week were and they realized that instead of running the culture, they discarded it. Some doctors only run it if the cervical measurement is alarming, but my Dr. P always runs one per week. They repeated it today - more people seeing me without pants.

Then, the cervical ultrasound. Not. So. Good. It is measuring just about 1 cm. Still stable under pressure, though, so Dr. P was not too concerned. She told me to take it "easier" and stay off of my feet more, but that she wouldn't admit me until it was less than one centimeter this week. After 32 weeks, she would not. We made appointments for me to get steroid injections next week for the babies' lungs and scheduled my last (!) growth scan for next week.

I came home and waited for the "Your fFN was negative!" call that I usually get about 3 hours after arriving home. After not hearing from the nurses, I left them a message and had a feeling that they were not calling me back this time because it was positive and they had to Dr. P before calling me.

I hate being right all the time. Positive fFN.

You may recall that a negative fFN indicates a less than five percent chance of delivering in the next two weeks. A positive fFN is less clear. It means one is at an increased risk of delivering in the next two weeks due to cervical changes, but only 20-30% of women actually deliver in that window. I have heard doctors say they hate positive fFN's because they are compelled to be more aggressive with tocolytics like Terbutaline but the majority of women do not deliver within two weeks.

It does cause alarm when it is coupled with a shortened cervix (like mine) after several negative fFN's. Dr. P wants me to come in tomorrow to treat me with Betamethasone, a steroid which speeds fetal lung maturity. I was treated with this at 24 weeks, but it is not uncommon for docs to do it again around this time. Then I will inject myself again on Wednesday, and go back to their office on Thursday to have my cervix measured and Dopplers on the babies.

When I was talking to the nurse, she reminded me to go to L & D if my contractions are more than six per hour or are not controlled by Terbutaline and to report any leaking or change in discharge immediately. Because I am about 30 minutes from the hospital, she said just to leave for L & D and call on the way and they would page my MFM for me. Then she said, "But your cervix is okay right?" I said, "It was around 1 cm. To which she said, "Oooooooooh" in a not thrilled way.

If I had a shortening cervix, but negative a fFN, I am certain Dr. P would not admit me. That was always my argument if she threatened to admit me: "Shortening cervices are to be expected at this stage with triplets and I have a negative fFN!" - not anymore. Hopefully Thursday will show it has not changed, but if it is losing any length, into the hospital I will go and I have a feeling there will not be parole this time.

I am a little scared. I don't want to go back to the hospital, but even more than that, I don't want the babies to come too early. Hang in there boys! Mommy promises to put her feet up.

31 comments:

  1. Hoping that your boys keep cooking in there longer! Take good care hon! Loads of luck! {Hugs}

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  2. It sounds like you need a milkshake after this day...let me know...I can bring one by later! ~Meg

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  3. It also sounds like you need a song. And since I'm taking requests, this one goes out to Tubeless on the couch...

    Something in that ultrasound is making such a fool of me
    When I look into my peri's eyes, I know that she won't let me be
    And now you let me down, when I stand around,
    Cervix, you just can't stay long
    Stop getting too short, try to be a sport
    Only three more weeks to go...

    Just try to understand
    I've given all I can, 'cause you've got the best of me
    Da-da da da, da-da da daaaaaaaaa

    I am mad at your Cervix! Can't a girl have a little fun, folding clothes and scouting out canned pumpkin? SHEESH!

    Sending you lots of love (and songs).

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  4. Here's hoping putting your feet up does the trick:)

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  5. I'm praying for you hun! Even if so.. you may have two more weeks which will be more than beneficial for these boys. Take it easy!

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  6. I know you dont want them to come soon, but if they do, they'll be fine. You're 31 weeks now, anything past 30 they say you're "out of the woods" with triplets. I know how you feel, i do. I never had an fFN test and dont even recall them ever telling me my cervical length, just that it was good. But with triplets things can change instantly. Have your husband bring you clothes to fold to the couch so you can still do them, then have him carry the basket back to their room...sit at the table to mix up your cookie stuff...It's gonna be ok.
    Even if you do have them in the next two weeks (and we want them to stay put of course), you'd be at 33 weeks, you've had your steriods, they are at awsome weights and are really healthy! I had my trio at 33w, 2days. It's scary to think about, how tiny they'll be, but be positive. They're gonna be little but LOUD when they cry :O) You're doing an awsome job, keep it up and hopefully your cervix will "grow" again :O)

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  7. Oh dear *hug* sorry about the bad news. Very happy your boys are doing so well though! You've made it so far! I'm still chanting "34 weeks! 34 weeks!" over here!!

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  8. Oh sweetie. I hope those little guys can hang in there a little longer. I had my twins unexpectedly on Sunday at 32 1/2 weeks. They are both doing well but I know the risks are so much more with triplets. ((HUGS)) to you!

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  9. Eeek! Well hang in there. My thoughts are all on you and your little brood.

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  10. Oh sweetie.. No matter what happens, you are doing everything you can to hold those sweet boys in there for as long as possible. You are doing great! And the backup betameth shots will do wonders. One day at a time. Remember- you made it to October! This is great news!!! Saying a prayer for 2 more weeks!!! And even 3 more!

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  11. Scarey! But the boys are doing great and quite far along. Wishing you lots of patience and serenity as you wait it out on the sofa.

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  12. You're doing great! Hope those guys can stick around a while longer. Mine were born at 33w2d and did great. No oxygen, no feeding tubes, nothing. They were home within two weeks. And I had "wimpy white boys" too.

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  13. Hang in there boys....
    Hope you're feeling ok...put your feet up and think positive :)

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  14. Hope you are reading this from the couch. Hang in there boys!! I hope all is well over the next two weeks and you can find some relief from the stress this must be causing.

    Good luck
    EB

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  15. Praying that they stay in a little longer;) Sorry that you are on bedrest again!! It's almost over and you will be enjoying those adorable little boys.

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  16. Ooooh, sorry about the tough appointment. :P Sending un-labor vibes to those little munchkins... mommy's not done baking you yet!! Trust me, it doesn't get any better than being in the womb, don't be a hurry to leave!!

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  17. Hey, Carrie,
    Just wanted to let you know I am thinking about you lots and checking your blog constantly for updates. You have come so, so far. You probably don't even realize it because of the emotional workout this pregnancy has been. But you are doing so great, and so are the boys!! Keep your spirits up. I am keeping you in my T&P and can't wait to hear the good news around the corner - hopefully in a few weeks, but you are so far along and the boys looking so good that the news will be good, whenever we hear it. :) Big hugs to you!!

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  18. Glad to hear that you're doing okay, even if not exactly as you'd like. Thinking of you often!

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  19. Well, I'm sorry you're back on the couch again- but you're almost there!!!

    Btw, I gave you a blog award- come see1

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  20. Ughh bummer! But so great they are in there still swimming away. We are sending good thoughts your way! Jen

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  21. Ahh! Sorry for the less than ideal news this week. Stressful! But you have gotten so far now, I am so impressed! And so glad they are doing well in there, and hopefully they will stick around for just a little bit longer. How's big sis doing? I bet she is excited to meet her brothers!

    Hope keeping those feet up helps, and you are able to find some mama zen to keep you sane for this last stretch!

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  22. You are doing awesome Carrie. Just look how far you have carried those baby boys. What a miracle. You're already as far as I was when Z was born at 31 and 3. Every day they hang on is good, but even if they are born this week know that you have done everything you could. I hope they stay in your belly a few more weeks, or at least a few more days, but soon they will be in your arms. Soon you will hold their little hands and feel their soft hair. You will watch them breathe and hear them cry. The last seven months have probably been the hardest of your life, but you have done everything you needed to do to grow these little ones. What an amazing gift, a sacrifice of love for these little people.

    On a side note, the NICU parent to parent program is going now, so there will be some amazing families to help you through your hospital experience.

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  23. Hey there! Sorry you are on the couch again, but hopefully it'll go by quickly for both of us! I can't wait until 32 weeks when we can relax (again) because we will have met another milestone. It seems that we are on the same appointment schedule now, so I will check in later in the week. Hopefully your cervix will have "grown" a lot and everything will be great!

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  24. Ooooh, not good. I'm sorry about the +fFn, your short cervix, being back on the couch, and all the other reasons that will give Wemberley fodder for adding more worry and stress during these last few weeks. You have done an amazing job growing these boys, and although I know you want to go a few more weeks, just think of how far you've come and how many obstacles you've overcome.

    Since the hospital is in our near future, try to enjoy every (uncomfortable) moment on the couch at home. I'm thinking of you daily and rooting for you and the boys.

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  25. I'll definitely be your virtual running partner once we're ready to get back out there!...for now though, let's put those feet up and think of handsome little boys running around happy & healthy ;)

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  26. I know this feels scary, but you are doing so well and have made it soooo far! Hoping the boys stay put for a wee bit longer for your peace of mind. Rest up Mama and keep us posted! Thinking of you all!

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  27. Hang in there, boys!! Thinking of all of you and hoping that a little couch-rest is all you need.

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  28. I'm hoping your boys stay put too, but if for some reason they should not, you have come so far, they should be just fine.

    If possible, try to enjoy your last weeks of rest. :)

    I'm rooting for you all!

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  29. Hang in there! I'm right behind you - 22 weeks today! I hope to hear great news from you soon. Thanks for the blog sites with all the multiples blogs that you sent me awhile back. I appreciate being able to see how others and doing during the process.
    I also loved your post on Wemberly. I'm a counselor so I talk about that book a lot with kids! Yet, I've also done some seminars for adults with infertility since that is my passion and that book is a great resource there too. I absolutely agree with you that with infertility comes a nice big package of worry. I haven't taken anything out and am nervous to put things away that I received. It helps to know I'm not the only one :) Hang in there! I'm cheering you and your 3 boys on!
    Summer Morris

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  30. Hi Carrie,

    I've been lurking for a bit now and cheering you on from my side of the screen.

    I'm delurking to let you know I've given you an award on my blog.

    Hope all is well.

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  31. Coming over from LFCA to say a quick prayer for y'all and to tell the triplets to stay put!

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