Hello Everyone!!
Sorry it has taken me so long to post again. I went to the Dermatologist on Wednesday. He thought I had a combination of a bacterial rash and an allergic reaction to my prenatal. He recommended that I contact my OB and talk about changing my prenatal (the bacterial rash would go away on its own with the medication that I already had in me). So that afternoon that is what I did. I left a message on the nurses station and she called me back asking me to come in the next day to see my actual OB. She also recommended that I take Benadryl since if it is an allergy then Benadryl should help. Also I wasn't to take my prenatal that night.
So the next day I go to the doctor. The Benadryl is still very much in my system and I can't seem to sleep enough. I was glad Tony was with me because it was very hard to focus on what the doctor was telling me, I was that tired! He says that he too is unsure of the rash on my legs but since it appears to be going away he wasn't going to worry about it. He thinks that the rash that is on my hands and feet is PUPPS and recommends that I don't stop my prenatal. However he did say that all prenatals are about the same so if I wanted to go back to the one I was on for over a year (I stopped because it was strong on my stomach when recovering from morning sickness) then I could.
So after a stop at Burger King for lunch, Tony takes me home. I sleep almost straight through from 2:30 PM to 5:30AM the next morning. Needless to say I don't get any vitamin in me that day. The next day I am still trying to recover from the Benadryl and try to stay up as much as possible. Not an easy task for me! I feel that the Benadryl is finally out of my system by Saturday. To which I tell Tony to NEVER give me that stuff again!!!
My doctor did give me suggestions on how to put on some more weight. I had been concerned about this since everytime I go on their scales it says that I have not gained that much. I know that this a problem most people dream of having but it is a real problem for me since eating has never been one of my favorite tasks. So now I am taking Ensure Plus twice a day (if I don't have another really high calorie snack) plus my meals. Between the two of them I should be doing well. We will have to see the next time I go to the doctor (July 6th).
Now that it is Monday, I can say that my rash is almost gone. I do have some on my hands and feet but that is about it. Both of these rashes I feel are the ones I had on my legs. My hands feel funny and the dexterity in them is limited. Even opening bottles of water or my Ensure can be painful for me. I hope it goes away soon since I feel that they are useless unless I can do basic tasks with them. The rash on my feet is mildly bothersome. I have had soo much trouble with my feet over the years that I really don't notice it too much.
As far as the children are concerned, Emily is moved into a position that I feel her almost all the time. She is right under my right side ribs. She likes to kick and play with them often especially when I am sitting up. Tony has even felt her a few times. The boys are now in positions where they don't kick my interals that much. I do feel them some but not like I used to. I have noticed that while all the children are kicking I only really feel them if they kick something inside me, or if I happen to have my hand in the right spot when they are kicking. I imagine this will change as time goes on though.
Oh I should point out some other things that the doctor said on Thursday. He said that my cervix is fine for this stage in my pregnancy. I mentioned that I was concerned after a friend of mine had problems when carrying twins at about this stage in her pregnancy because she found out she had an incompetent cervix. He said that I can't get an incompetent cervix when carrying three. He said that they would just put me on strict bedrest and give me drugs to stop contractions should something happen (that he thinks is unlikely in the immediate future). They wouldn't do what is sometimes done with incompetent cervixes where they sew you up. He said that this would have little benefit for me since I am carrying so many children. On a separate matter, he said that at 24 weeks (end of July) I get to have a home uterine monitor. This is a monitor that straps to my belly and I use for a couple or more hours a day. It is to monitor for contractions that I may not be able to feel or think are something else like stretching. From what I have read about these machines, I would keep them on for an hour at a time and have to rest for that hour. Then I would hook it up to the phone line and it would be downloaded to a nurses station where they would tell me if there is anything I need to do. I would repeat this 2 or more times a day. Sounds like fun! I imagine I will not be moving a whole lot during that time. Right now it is getting hard for me to move around and in 5 weeks I imagine it will be worse!
I have not posted a picture this week for a reason. My mother is coming up on Thursday and I want her to see how big I have got in person. This will be my little surprise for her! :) I hope to post a picture this next weekend though. So you will have to wait till then!
By the way, Tony gets the National Geographic. This issue (July 2006) has in it a photo of Central Park where I used to do Argentine Tango almost every weekend in the summer of 2002. It was interesting to see it in there! Tony never did any Tango there but I sure did. Just thought I would mention it.
That is all the news I have for now!
Jennifer
Monday, June 26, 2006
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
18 weeks 1 day
Hello everyone!!
Well I have a bit of news so I thought I would post. This all started about a week ago. I developed a rash on my inner thighs. I was concerned so I called my doctor who told me to go to my primary care physician. So last Wednesday I went there. My regular doctor was out and as soon as the doctor I did see heard I was carrying triplets he became concerned (I guess there is a reason why he isn't an OB!!) At that time he thought the rash was a fungus. He called my High Risk OB's office as to what he could recommend that I take. I guess all of the normal treatments for this are not safe for pregnancy. It was determined that I should wash the area twice a day and put vinegar on the affected area. I should also let it air out as much as possible. So for a day and a half I did this. On the third day I awoke to find that my previously red looking rash was now purple and relatively hard. This scared me so I stopped the vinegar and continued the best I could with the other suggestions.
Then on Saturday I went to the bathroom to find that my mucus had changed color. Fearing that I may be loosing my mucus plug we called the doctor right away. He said that this is normal and said that if it didn't go away by Monday to call and they would get me in.
Well the mucus remained the same. Meanwhile I developed either a new rash or the old rash spread to other areas, including my hands, arms, soles of feet, and belly. Also on Sunday night I had horrible streching pains. I tried to change position and nothing worked. Finally after about 5 minutes of intense pains it started to subside.
All of this made Tony worry. I figured that the rash that had spread was just more of the same and the doctor had told me that I may have it till I deliver. I figured it was time for me just to get used to this new pregnancy symptom. Tony thought differently and made me call the doctor on Monday. They wanted to see me right away and also told me to make an appointment for the dermatologist.
So yesterday I went to the doctor. He told me that the rash on my arms, hands and belly appeared to be PUPPS. A condition that can happen during pregnancy but typically doesn't happen until a few weeks before delivery. However with all things pertaining to a multiple pregnancy things get moved up! There is little to do with this condition. The constant itching I just have to get used to. He also told me I had a yeast infection (common for pregnancy) and suggested that the rash on my thighs could be caused by the yeast infection. He prescribed me a medication for the yeast infection and told me to take it (a single pill) twice to see if it would clear up my legs. Otherwise it would be a fungal infection. He recommeded that I follow up with my dermatologist who I see tomorrow or Wednesday.
That brings me up to today. Nothing much has changed. My rash on my arms and belly seems to be either growing (arms) or getting more dense (belly). None of these conditions are fun for me but the children are not noticing anything. In fact they are getting quiet active. Yesterday I had an ultrasound to check my cervix (3 cm which I was concerned about but the doctor wasn't) and we could see baby A (boy) during the procedure. He was moving and thrashing about the whole time. I told Tony "See he is all you! Can't stand still for even a moment!" I often feel baby A everyday. He likes to kick in the general area of what I assume is my dormant ovary. They also checked on the other two babies and they are doing well however I was not able to see this as I was talking to the doctor at the same time. We also have no more pictures to show at this time.
I am trying to take it easy this week. It is somewhat difficult for me to do any big walking with the rash on the bottom of my feet. Besides I am getting to the area of concern as far as going into preterm labor (more my concern then the doctors). Also I have been very tired lately.
That is all I have for now. I will post more tomorrow assuming that I get some answers about my rash(es).
Jennifer
Well I have a bit of news so I thought I would post. This all started about a week ago. I developed a rash on my inner thighs. I was concerned so I called my doctor who told me to go to my primary care physician. So last Wednesday I went there. My regular doctor was out and as soon as the doctor I did see heard I was carrying triplets he became concerned (I guess there is a reason why he isn't an OB!!) At that time he thought the rash was a fungus. He called my High Risk OB's office as to what he could recommend that I take. I guess all of the normal treatments for this are not safe for pregnancy. It was determined that I should wash the area twice a day and put vinegar on the affected area. I should also let it air out as much as possible. So for a day and a half I did this. On the third day I awoke to find that my previously red looking rash was now purple and relatively hard. This scared me so I stopped the vinegar and continued the best I could with the other suggestions.
Then on Saturday I went to the bathroom to find that my mucus had changed color. Fearing that I may be loosing my mucus plug we called the doctor right away. He said that this is normal and said that if it didn't go away by Monday to call and they would get me in.
Well the mucus remained the same. Meanwhile I developed either a new rash or the old rash spread to other areas, including my hands, arms, soles of feet, and belly. Also on Sunday night I had horrible streching pains. I tried to change position and nothing worked. Finally after about 5 minutes of intense pains it started to subside.
All of this made Tony worry. I figured that the rash that had spread was just more of the same and the doctor had told me that I may have it till I deliver. I figured it was time for me just to get used to this new pregnancy symptom. Tony thought differently and made me call the doctor on Monday. They wanted to see me right away and also told me to make an appointment for the dermatologist.
So yesterday I went to the doctor. He told me that the rash on my arms, hands and belly appeared to be PUPPS. A condition that can happen during pregnancy but typically doesn't happen until a few weeks before delivery. However with all things pertaining to a multiple pregnancy things get moved up! There is little to do with this condition. The constant itching I just have to get used to. He also told me I had a yeast infection (common for pregnancy) and suggested that the rash on my thighs could be caused by the yeast infection. He prescribed me a medication for the yeast infection and told me to take it (a single pill) twice to see if it would clear up my legs. Otherwise it would be a fungal infection. He recommeded that I follow up with my dermatologist who I see tomorrow or Wednesday.
That brings me up to today. Nothing much has changed. My rash on my arms and belly seems to be either growing (arms) or getting more dense (belly). None of these conditions are fun for me but the children are not noticing anything. In fact they are getting quiet active. Yesterday I had an ultrasound to check my cervix (3 cm which I was concerned about but the doctor wasn't) and we could see baby A (boy) during the procedure. He was moving and thrashing about the whole time. I told Tony "See he is all you! Can't stand still for even a moment!" I often feel baby A everyday. He likes to kick in the general area of what I assume is my dormant ovary. They also checked on the other two babies and they are doing well however I was not able to see this as I was talking to the doctor at the same time. We also have no more pictures to show at this time.
I am trying to take it easy this week. It is somewhat difficult for me to do any big walking with the rash on the bottom of my feet. Besides I am getting to the area of concern as far as going into preterm labor (more my concern then the doctors). Also I have been very tired lately.
That is all I have for now. I will post more tomorrow assuming that I get some answers about my rash(es).
Jennifer
Sunday, June 11, 2006
16 weeks, 6 days
Hello,
Pictured are Jennifer, along with Christopher, Alexander and Emily as of 16 weeks, 3 days. As you can see, Jenn is definitely showing! The doctor says that she's the size of a third trimester pregnancy now. She's a little freaked out because theoretically she's supposed to gain ~24 lbs. by 20 weeks, and she's only gained eight so far. Of course, she couldn't each all of April because morning sickness was so bad, so she's gained those eight pounds in the past three weeks. The books all say you should gain at least one pound a week, so I think she's actually doing pretty good. I'm helping her plan her meals. The current strategy is for me to set out all of the food she should theoretically eat during the day. While I'm at work, she can start eating her way through the day. We'll see how this works over the next few weeks. The babies all are a good size. According to the doctor, they are developing 'beautifully'!
Tony
Friday, June 09, 2006
16 weeks 4 or 5 days
Hello everyone!
I wanted to let you know how our appointment went yesterday. We are all doing well. My body is holding up well, and the babies are doing their thing inside me. My cervix only shortened by 4 mm (we are told this is normal) and I gained 8 pounds since my last doctor visit (3 weeks ago). I was told that I am doing so well that I don't even need to go back till my level 2 ultrasound (big scary one where the babies have to pass their first test) which is on July 6th!
We did find out preliminary genders yesterday. We have 2 boys and a girl. Tony and I had names for 2 children going to the doctor and we came up with the third coming home yesterday.
The first boy born will be named Christopher Matthew. We will not be able to point to the ultrasound and say this is Christopher since the babies can move prior to the C-section and we will never know who is who. So therefore we are naming the first one out.
The second boy born will be Alexander Edward. Edward is Tony's middle name and Alexander will also have the same initials as his daddy. This is the name we came up with yesterday.
The little girl will be Emily Anne. Those who can remember back when my mom was pregnant may remember this name. It was the name that I was suppose to have. Anne is also my middle name.
We are assigning colors to the babies for when they come home from the hospital. This will be the color of their crib sheets, a few blankets (or sleep sacks), their bath towel, and a few outfits when they are small (my guess under 3 months of age). As I have stated before, this is to help us to identify them when they all look alike.
Their colors are:
Christopher - Blue or shades within
Alexander - Green or shades within
Emily - Red or shades within
We may mess with the spelling of the names but since our last name is hard enough for people to spell I don't think this is likely.
Sorry I don't have the ultrasound pictures scanned yet. The babies are all sort of on top of one another now. Before 2 were side by side on the bottom and one was on top. We are going to Babies R Us tomorrow to update the registry with things we couldn't register for before, so we will scan the ultrasound pictures at that time and post them late afternoon our time. We will also take an update belly shot of me. I did measure my belly this morning and I am 38 inches around!
By the way, I am the size of a third trimester singleton pregnancy now. My doctor said I should be experiencing things that women normally experience at that time, now. I can say that I have, what I call "piggy feet" or swollen legs and feet, in the afternoon. I am also starting to develop mild insomnia at night. As far as feeling baby movement I occasionally do feel them but it is not at all constant. They all still have quite a bit of room and so that is normal. My doctor said I should be feeling them well by the next doctor visit. Having said that, last night during my insomnia, I did feel baby A (a boy, maybe Christopher) moving around quite a bit. Seeing that I don't feel this often I actually stayed awake so I could feel it more!
That is all I have to report at this time. I will try to get Tony to write some tomorrow.
Jennifer
I wanted to let you know how our appointment went yesterday. We are all doing well. My body is holding up well, and the babies are doing their thing inside me. My cervix only shortened by 4 mm (we are told this is normal) and I gained 8 pounds since my last doctor visit (3 weeks ago). I was told that I am doing so well that I don't even need to go back till my level 2 ultrasound (big scary one where the babies have to pass their first test) which is on July 6th!
We did find out preliminary genders yesterday. We have 2 boys and a girl. Tony and I had names for 2 children going to the doctor and we came up with the third coming home yesterday.
The first boy born will be named Christopher Matthew. We will not be able to point to the ultrasound and say this is Christopher since the babies can move prior to the C-section and we will never know who is who. So therefore we are naming the first one out.
The second boy born will be Alexander Edward. Edward is Tony's middle name and Alexander will also have the same initials as his daddy. This is the name we came up with yesterday.
The little girl will be Emily Anne. Those who can remember back when my mom was pregnant may remember this name. It was the name that I was suppose to have. Anne is also my middle name.
We are assigning colors to the babies for when they come home from the hospital. This will be the color of their crib sheets, a few blankets (or sleep sacks), their bath towel, and a few outfits when they are small (my guess under 3 months of age). As I have stated before, this is to help us to identify them when they all look alike.
Their colors are:
Christopher - Blue or shades within
Alexander - Green or shades within
Emily - Red or shades within
We may mess with the spelling of the names but since our last name is hard enough for people to spell I don't think this is likely.
Sorry I don't have the ultrasound pictures scanned yet. The babies are all sort of on top of one another now. Before 2 were side by side on the bottom and one was on top. We are going to Babies R Us tomorrow to update the registry with things we couldn't register for before, so we will scan the ultrasound pictures at that time and post them late afternoon our time. We will also take an update belly shot of me. I did measure my belly this morning and I am 38 inches around!
By the way, I am the size of a third trimester singleton pregnancy now. My doctor said I should be experiencing things that women normally experience at that time, now. I can say that I have, what I call "piggy feet" or swollen legs and feet, in the afternoon. I am also starting to develop mild insomnia at night. As far as feeling baby movement I occasionally do feel them but it is not at all constant. They all still have quite a bit of room and so that is normal. My doctor said I should be feeling them well by the next doctor visit. Having said that, last night during my insomnia, I did feel baby A (a boy, maybe Christopher) moving around quite a bit. Seeing that I don't feel this often I actually stayed awake so I could feel it more!
That is all I have to report at this time. I will try to get Tony to write some tomorrow.
Jennifer
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