Yes, reality of this “triplet” situation has started to set in. Since the unexpected news last Tuesday, today is the first day I have:
1. Not cried.
2. Laughed out loud with a friend about the whole situation.
3. Had somewhat of an open mind about the potential that three children might be joining my world in approximately 25.5 weeks (since most triplets are born at 33 weeks).
4. Touched base with the high-risk MD office to see when I can schedule an appointment to discuss the risks/complications and schedule of appointments that would be needed for a triplet or twin pregnancy.
5. Wondered if I would end up on bed rest, with preeclampsia or something worse.
6. Wished that God could tell me when these babies would actually arrive. Would they arrive before 28 weeks? If so, would any/all die because of their early arrival?
7. Truly decided that Dan & my marriage is strong enough to handle anything… and that while having triplets would be incredibly stressful, Team Martino would pull through just fine and even stronger than before.
8. Felt sadness at the thought of possibly loosing one of these three miracle babies even though I know it would be safer for all should that in fact happen. Amazing how quickly a mother’s bond begins developing.
9. Wondered what kind of car the Martino’s would need to drive 4 kids under the age of 2.5 yrs old around.
10. Contemplated having Juneau become an “outdoor dog”. Poor little Juneau has no clue about this yet.
11. Thought about how I would hire a night nurse several nights a week during the first 4 months. How would we find one… and more importantly, how would we pay for one!
12. Thought seriously about whom from my family I can recruit to help me for a while and how I can bribe them to stay for longer than a week or two!
13. Wondered how many pounds I will gain (c’mon… any woman is bound to wonder this).
14. Wonder if my husband will still love me if I become heavier than him.
15. Wondered if I would fit into the “big” pants I bought while pregnant with Gabby that I never ended up fitting into.
16. Wondered how much it costs to buy two rows of seats on an airplane? We WILL need family vacations at some point, right?!
17. Wondered just exactly how many extra calories I get to eat every day now that I'm eating for FOUR!! Seriously never thought I'd ever wonder something like that.
18. Wondered when my stubbornness and “step-it-up, Jodi” attitude will pull me out of the depression funk that seems to have devoured me this past week.
Anyway, now that I’m expecting triplets and I know every dollar saved counts… this is my therapy. There will be no hiring of shrinks… there will be no throwing money in lucky fountains.
Big hugs to all. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers!
6/19/07
Lions and Tigers and TRIPLETS - OH MY!!! Tuesday - June 19, 2007
While we were somewhat preparing ourselves over the past two weeks for the possibility of twins... we found out today I’m pregnant with triplets. Three beautiful little heart beats blinking on the screen.My reaction you ask? Shocked - yes! Unexpected - yes! Wondering how this happened - yes! In total disbelief - yes! Want to cry - yes! Want to scream - yes! Still trying to digest this news - yes! Still trying to tell myself this isn't a crazy dream - yes! Ok... deep breath.
How could this have happened when we only implanted two embryos? Well - there are two possibilities:
1. One embryo split in-utero, resulting in one set of identical twins (making 3 embryos total)
2. Dan & I created one on our own when spending some "quality" time together that weekend back in May (we know I released one egg when I injected the hormone to make me ovulation)
After looking closely at the differences between the embryonic sacs on the screen, our MD said each of the embryos were unique, and that none of them shared a sac. So, the triplets aren't a result of a split egg (identical twins). Instead, she is certain that Dan & I created one of the babies on our own.
Dan's reaction: "Yeah baby! I told you! My guys work!"
Jodi's reaction: "Ummm... yeah... great! But REALLY bad timing babe! Why couldn't this have happened 3 years ago?!"
It goes without saying I’m in complete SHOCK. I don't know whether to cry or laugh. I of course feel extremely lucky and blessed, but at the same time have a lot of questions. Not to mention, I’m SO fearful already for the health of the babies and my own health. All multiple births are pre-term and as the # of babies increase, the birth date gets more premature. The many risks and health complications also start to multiply with each added baby.
On a positive note... ok, guess we'll get to use some of the names we really like!
We'll go in for another ultrasound in two weeks. Hopefully, there will still be one baby... possibly two... possibly still 3. Sometimes nature works in mysterious ways and with still trying to comprehend this news myself, I think we're going to have to take this one day at a time. At some point, I’ll have to stop pinching myself in shock.
Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Today's news means we're preparing for TWINS! Wednesday - June 6, 2007
Hooray—more wonderful news to share!
I took the second blood pregnancy test on Monday, 6/4 while in San Antonio. They wanted my HCG # to double from Friday's test (155), so we were hoping to get a read of at least 300.
I was fairly nervous for the second test... worried I may have lost the pregnancy over the weekend since we spent the weekend going from activity to activity in HOT and HUMID San Antonio. Let me repeat… it was SO HOT and HUMID! I was basically trying to do everything possible to stay hydrated, somewhat cool (again, not sure if possible in San Antonio in June) and also relax a bit.
We were shocked & surprised when they called to tell us the HCG level more than doubled... it was 861! Wow! And again by comparison with Gabby, the second blood test with her was 115. So, this basically means we’re mentally preparing ourselves for the possibility of twins. The thought of twins seems overwhelming... and a bit scary. Even after all the excitement of being pregnant again, it doesn’t take long for your mind to start spinning with fears and worries of an early delivery and the health complications that go along with it. And then you begin to also wonder how much quality time you’ll be able to spend with EACH child you have and if life will just become completely chaotic.
BUT – not going to worry yet! We’ll just be elated if we see at least one beating heart on the screen when we go in for the ultrasound during week #7 @ 31 days gestation.
Our trip to San Antonio to spend time with my brother Mark’s family before they move to Shanghai, China, was a lot of fun. We stayed at a VERY family-friendly resort that was just a few miles from Sea World. The resort had a movie night every night out on the lawn with a popcorn machine and blankets to lay on. It also had this fantastic lazy-river that connected to the pool… with bar stops for the adults along the path, and a huge sandy beach area for the kids to play. We hit Sea World on Saturday and then again on Sunday evening so we could bring our god daughter, Alexa, and Gabby to eat dinner with Shamu. It was a pretty cool experience and worth the price to get up-close, a special show, and being able to talk with the trainers, etc. Alexa and Gabby were both in awe at how big the whales are up-close. Gabby had a SUCH a great time spending so much quality playtime with cousins Alexa and Callie. And Dan & I enjoyed sharing the weekend with Mark & Patty and all the girls.
Please continue to keep these little ones in your thoughts and prayers. We need all the positive energy we can get!
I took the second blood pregnancy test on Monday, 6/4 while in San Antonio. They wanted my HCG # to double from Friday's test (155), so we were hoping to get a read of at least 300.
I was fairly nervous for the second test... worried I may have lost the pregnancy over the weekend since we spent the weekend going from activity to activity in HOT and HUMID San Antonio. Let me repeat… it was SO HOT and HUMID! I was basically trying to do everything possible to stay hydrated, somewhat cool (again, not sure if possible in San Antonio in June) and also relax a bit.
We were shocked & surprised when they called to tell us the HCG level more than doubled... it was 861! Wow! And again by comparison with Gabby, the second blood test with her was 115. So, this basically means we’re mentally preparing ourselves for the possibility of twins. The thought of twins seems overwhelming... and a bit scary. Even after all the excitement of being pregnant again, it doesn’t take long for your mind to start spinning with fears and worries of an early delivery and the health complications that go along with it. And then you begin to also wonder how much quality time you’ll be able to spend with EACH child you have and if life will just become completely chaotic.
BUT – not going to worry yet! We’ll just be elated if we see at least one beating heart on the screen when we go in for the ultrasound during week #7 @ 31 days gestation.
Our trip to San Antonio to spend time with my brother Mark’s family before they move to Shanghai, China, was a lot of fun. We stayed at a VERY family-friendly resort that was just a few miles from Sea World. The resort had a movie night every night out on the lawn with a popcorn machine and blankets to lay on. It also had this fantastic lazy-river that connected to the pool… with bar stops for the adults along the path, and a huge sandy beach area for the kids to play. We hit Sea World on Saturday and then again on Sunday evening so we could bring our god daughter, Alexa, and Gabby to eat dinner with Shamu. It was a pretty cool experience and worth the price to get up-close, a special show, and being able to talk with the trainers, etc. Alexa and Gabby were both in awe at how big the whales are up-close. Gabby had a SUCH a great time spending so much quality playtime with cousins Alexa and Callie. And Dan & I enjoyed sharing the weekend with Mark & Patty and all the girls.
Please continue to keep these little ones in your thoughts and prayers. We need all the positive energy we can get!
HOORAY - POSITIVE PREGNANCY TEST! Friday - June 1, 2007
Hooray! Wonderful news today! I'm pregnant!!
I went to Stanford at 7am this morning to take a blood pregnancy test before heading to the airport for our trip to Texas. We were literally 3 minutes from missing our flight, and were the very last people to board the plane (SO TYPICAL for the Martino’s!).
Upon our arrival in San Antonio, I picked up a message from the clinic. When I heard them say the blood test results were positive and that the HCG level (human growth hormone) was really high @ 155, I was SO happy and excited, as was Dan! By comparison, when I was pregnant with Gabby and did this blood test the same # of days after ovulation (16 days post-HCG injection), my HCG measured 29. At the time with Gabby, it was sort of bitter-sweet, because they were really hoping for the numbers to be closer to 70. So, I was told to remain positive but that it could also mean I was in the process of already losing the baby. Anyway - TODAY'S results are very high, which can often be indicative of a multiple pregnancy. Dan & I were both thrilled and it's exciting to think that we might be adding a new little life to our family. The news gave us perma-smiles for the rest of the day.
I have to do another blood test on Monday here in San Antonio, TX, as they want to make sure the HCG level doubles every 3 days. It will be 19 days post-HCG injection. Then, in two weeks if all is still going well, we’ll go in to see the heart beat(s) and again confirm all is well.
So, we still have a long road ahead and hope everything continues to go well. But today’s news was truly WONDERFUL and EXCITING! We’re looking very forward to Gabby being a big sister!
I went to Stanford at 7am this morning to take a blood pregnancy test before heading to the airport for our trip to Texas. We were literally 3 minutes from missing our flight, and were the very last people to board the plane (SO TYPICAL for the Martino’s!).
Upon our arrival in San Antonio, I picked up a message from the clinic. When I heard them say the blood test results were positive and that the HCG level (human growth hormone) was really high @ 155, I was SO happy and excited, as was Dan! By comparison, when I was pregnant with Gabby and did this blood test the same # of days after ovulation (16 days post-HCG injection), my HCG measured 29. At the time with Gabby, it was sort of bitter-sweet, because they were really hoping for the numbers to be closer to 70. So, I was told to remain positive but that it could also mean I was in the process of already losing the baby. Anyway - TODAY'S results are very high, which can often be indicative of a multiple pregnancy. Dan & I were both thrilled and it's exciting to think that we might be adding a new little life to our family. The news gave us perma-smiles for the rest of the day.
I have to do another blood test on Monday here in San Antonio, TX, as they want to make sure the HCG level doubles every 3 days. It will be 19 days post-HCG injection. Then, in two weeks if all is still going well, we’ll go in to see the heart beat(s) and again confirm all is well.
So, we still have a long road ahead and hope everything continues to go well. But today’s news was truly WONDERFUL and EXCITING! We’re looking very forward to Gabby being a big sister!
Frozen Embryo Transfer Today. Thursday - May 24, 2007
Well, after a month on the pill and several weeks on hormone injections, today was the big day. Two of our frozen embryos were transferred back into me... the mother ship. ;-)
With frozen IVF, there is always the chance that the frozen embryos won't survive the thawing process. We were very lucky in that the first two they thawed (of the four we have frozen) both survived. Both were graded 4AA before being frozen (5AA being the best possible). After thawing they give them a percentage, based on how well the fluids are returning to the embryo (they remove the fluids before they freeze the embryos in the nitric oxide @ -176 degrees, so no ice crystals form). The larger of the two pictured wasn't doing so well in the first half hour, but then turned a corner and actually received a higher percentage than the other. They were 85% and 90% for cell division and fluids. So, that's pretty good with 100% being best.
We're of course hoping for the best... that we'll again be lucky enough to get pregnant from this amazing science experiment. But, we know the odds also play against us.
Please keep the two 'lil guys in your thoughts and if you have a moment... say a little prayer that they might "stick" and decide to grow a whole lot bigger! We need all the positive thoughts and energy we can get. We are again being very cautiously optimistic... but are trying to keep only positive thoughts front-of-mind.
With frozen IVF, there is always the chance that the frozen embryos won't survive the thawing process. We were very lucky in that the first two they thawed (of the four we have frozen) both survived. Both were graded 4AA before being frozen (5AA being the best possible). After thawing they give them a percentage, based on how well the fluids are returning to the embryo (they remove the fluids before they freeze the embryos in the nitric oxide @ -176 degrees, so no ice crystals form). The larger of the two pictured wasn't doing so well in the first half hour, but then turned a corner and actually received a higher percentage than the other. They were 85% and 90% for cell division and fluids. So, that's pretty good with 100% being best.
We're of course hoping for the best... that we'll again be lucky enough to get pregnant from this amazing science experiment. But, we know the odds also play against us.
Please keep the two 'lil guys in your thoughts and if you have a moment... say a little prayer that they might "stick" and decide to grow a whole lot bigger! We need all the positive thoughts and energy we can get. We are again being very cautiously optimistic... but are trying to keep only positive thoughts front-of-mind.
We SO want Gabby to be a big sister!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
blg.jpg)
