Week 23!

Well not too much has changed here, have been fairly quiet just busily growing babies.  And growing they are!  I had an ob appointment this week and she could not be happier with how things are going for a triplet pregnancy.  I am now measuring the same size as someone who is 38 weeks pregnant so it is any wonder that some of my clothes are getting a bit firm and uncomfortable.  Baby C who has always measured a bit bigger as of 2 weeks ago was in the 90% percentile for size, with Baby's A and B not far behind.  When they compare sizes they always compare it to a singleton baby so considering there are 3 in there it appears all the rest I am getting is helping tremendously. 

This week we have a lot of appointments coming up we have our first appointment with the maternal foetal medicine doctors, and we are also meeting with the neonatal doctors for the first time.  We will also get shown the NICU ward at the same time.  On the same day we also are meeting with the hospitals multiple birth coordinator.  So a very big day coming up there.  Then next Friday we have another growth scan so I am excited to see how much my little trio have grown in the past 3 weeks.  Another exciting milestone approaching in just 2 short days is we will reach 24 weeks.  This means we are officially 'viable'.  This is a term that I despise immensely but important nonetheless.  My first official goal is 28 weeks, though I hope to make it to at least 32 thanks to all the wonderful support I have around me. 

As the arrival of these babies and the changes that will happen draw closer I have been thinking alot about how they will actually arrive.  From the beginning I thought that a cesarean was the only option and had never questioned it.  But after hearing a few amazing stories from other Australian women who have birthed triplets I begin to have doubts.  There are a lot of criteria that you need to meet for it to be able to occur from what I have heard apart from a doctor willing you need to meet these

• Baby A and B head down
• Past 32 weeks
• Mum and babies in good health
• Epidural in place for just in case
• Need to deliver in theatre, again for just in case
• Constant monitoring for each baby

That is all I can remember for now.  But after thinking about all this I wonder if I will have the energy and the strength to birth 3 babies, with the possibility of it ending in a cesarean anyway.  So I guess in a way I am still torn and perhaps am leaning towards the easier option.  For me what my concern is with the cesarean is mainly the recovery time.  Not only with caring for my son, but also all the hour long drives to the hospital to visit with the triplets and relying on someone to take me there each day.  Mr TAN will find it hard to take off too much time of work as he has a business to run and there isn't really anyone who can do the work for him. 

So that is what has been occupying my thoughts this week, but I am sure I will have a lot more to say after this weeks appointments.