Clagett Triplets: The Life and Times of Brooke Brynn Lexi

33 Weeks Today!

Erin made it through another night and actually slept pretty well, except for the fact that she uses the rest room about 5-6 times a night, the noise that her leg inflators thingys make (reminds me of a gas power washer), and now the sounds and sirens of living in downtown Baltimore.

The service level (which was awesome) we had at labor and delivery on the 7th floor is completely gone now that we have moved downstairs. We are at the end of a long hallway in what is usually an extended stay room. So now it is almost as if we no longer exist.

Anyway not much to report at this point.

Tom 

The C-Section is scheduled

The doctors finally scheduled the C-Section. It looks like they will make Erin continue this process until June 16, 2008. That would make a total of 26 straight days in the hospital. However, it still could happen any day. If she goes into active labor they will not stop it. But they will not voluntarily perform the C-section until that date.

It really sounds awful, but the longer the triplets stay in the better chance they have for survival and not having birth defects. It is very hard to see Erin go through this, but I know she loves all the encouragement, support, love, and messages.

At least they moved us to a new room which is twice the size and has a shower (old room was a 5x5). Erin is now on a more lax bed rest. She can now shower, use a regular toilet, and move around a tiny bit.

After her first shower in a week, Erin show signs of renewed energy to continue.

Please keep up the comments we enjoy them.

Tom

One week down!

It has been a week today and the babies are still hanging in there. Erin had her weekly appointment today with the world renown stenographer Suzie at the Center for Advanced Fetal Care (located one floor down). The babies were scanned today and looked great. They look comfortable and not in a major rush to exit (Sorry Erin). Baby A weighed in at 4lbs 4ounces, Baby B 4lbs 3ounces, and Baby C 4lbs 1ounce.

The overall goal is to wait as long as Erin can take it. It is Erin's second day without any drugs to stop contractions and they are still spaced apart about every 5-7 minutes. The good news is that she is only feeling about 3-4 contractions per hour (For all the men out there that still sucks).

Erin is currently resting up.

Stay tuned.

Tom

Sixth night

Somehow we have made it through a whole week tomorrow (Thursday). Our day has been filled with more challenges. The Morning started well. We got lots of rest. The afternoon was filled with more hurdles. Erin started having intense back pain which lead to nausea. After we got the nausea under control, Erin developed a fever. We are still waiting to hear some test results to figure out what is causing the fever. They went ahead and put Erin on an IV antibiotics as a precautionary.

As for me, I am fine. It was just a little bug. I just took some Tylenol (Thanks Seth) and suck it up.

Overall, Erin is just in what I would refer it to as extended labor. Nothing like feeling contractions for a week now.

Thanks for the support and stop feeling sorry for me. I not the one who is pregnant.

Tom

Wednesday Morning

Things remain somewhat unchanged. During the night Erin's blood pressure dropped significantly - 68/29 and so the decision was made to take her off the new medicine. She slept some through the night as did Tom (this is JuJu) and now we are just waiting for nature to take its course. The C section will take place when her cervix changes ( she is still at 3 1/2 centimeters dilated) or when her water breaks. The delivery could be in the next hour or the next week. We are all on pins and needles waiting. Erin is resting more today which is good and her appetite is back somewhat. Tom however began feeling ill yesterday and today seems to have a full course of flu - headache, body aches, etc. He has not left the hospital but I think today he might have to see a doctor. Grandma Kate and Kevin and Hannah and I are going to the hospital this afternoon so hopefully we can talk him into it. Cousin Kevin ( who just finished his freshman year at NC State) has taken over as the nanny with taking care of Jackson thrown in too. Hannah adores him and he is wonderful with her. They are at the park right now playing on the new equipment there so that I can accomplish some things here - laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. Grandma Kate is making Erin some of her famous chicken rice soup which Erin likes so much. Jackson slept with Kevin last night so everyone slept - the night before Jackson kept us all up with his anxiety. I will update after we get to the hospital or if anything happens before that.

Julie

Night time

Erin and the triplets are getting ready for the night. They are totally off the Mag and on a new medicine. The new medicine does not stop the contractions like the Mag and there is a 50% chance she may deliver within the next 24 hours and a 50% chance she could last another week.

Erin and I are ready for whenever they decide too make their grand entry into "The Clagett Family".

JuJu, Mama Kate, Cousin Kevin, and Hannah visited this afternoon and evening. Hannah loves visiting, especially playing in the treehouse on the 5th floor, throwing pennies in the fountain in the atrium, and eating her dinner (which we pack for her) in the cafe area with daddy. In between all this, she visits with mommy! Today she discovered the gift shop where she purchased a balloon for mommy and then insisted on taking it home with her so she could bring it back tomorrow.

I want to give everyone a enormous thank you for all the support, love, and help. Keep the comments coming she loves them. Her mailing address is Univeristy of Maryland Medical Center, 7 South, 22 South Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

Tom

P.S. I will make sure to post the pictures as soon as I can.

No more Magnesium

Erin had a rather difficult night. At midnight they needed to change her IV site. This process took about an hour. Then around 3am they had a sonogram and the babies still look great. They also take vitals every hour. Around 6am Erin woke up not feeling well. At that time we were told they had to increase the Magnesium level even more because she was having consistent contractions. The side effects got more intense.

After six straight days of the Magnesium, Erin had enough and asked to see the Doctor.  The Doctor agreed to take her off the Magnesium to try an oral medication that has less side effects.

We are currently weening off the Mag. So far the contractions have not increased. Erin has to be off the Mag completely for two hours before they can start the new medication.

Two scenarios can develop from switching the meds. The new medicine may continue to hold off the contractions or Erin could go into labor. If she goes into labor they will not stop it this time. The babies have had the Steroids they need. A C-section would be performed.

At the moment Erin is getting some well deserved rest.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Tom

Quick update

Erin slept better. She got about 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Yesterday we were hopeful they would continued to reduce the dose of Magnesium. We woke up to having contractions every five minutes. They had to increase the dose back to where we were two days ago and Erin is miserable again.Now contractions seemed to be about every ten minutes.

Your emails and comments to this blog are great. One side effect to the Magnesium is blurred vision. She can't read books or watch TV, but she really enjoys having your responses and emails read to her.

JuJu and Grandma Kate are here now and Tom and Bull haved taken Hannah to the Baltimore Zoo so see Samson the new baby elephant. Hopefully they will have a great time.

Thanks again!

Tom

Sunday almost over

All the support and comments are greatly appreciated. It definitely helps Erin make it through the day.

The good news is the she is having one to three contractions an hour. The bad news is that she is still on Magnesium. Even though they cut the dose back Erin is still feeling terrible from the side effects. We are hoping they cut the dose a little more tomorrow if the contractions stay the same or improve.

Everyday the triplets remain in the belly is three less days they have to spend in the NICU. Today we met with the NICU Doctor and RN. They seemed excellent. We were told a statistic that was new to us and alarming. Identical triplets are at a high risk of anemia because they share the same placenta. This means they could need a blood transfusion as soon as they are born. We are checking to see if Bill can be the donor since he is donor regular.

Please keep all of us in your prayers.

Tom

Hannah came to visit

Hannah came to the hospital today to visit Mommy and her soon to be sisters. Hannah brought a balloon and a gift she made for mommy. Erin was able to spend time with Hannah, Mom (JuJu), and Dad (Bull).

All is well as far as the contractions are concerned. Erin has been averaging about 5 contractions per hour. The babies seem to be doing fine. Erin on the other hand feels lousy. The magnesium has quite a few side effects and she is suffering from all of them. However, Erin ate her first real food since Thursday.

The doctors' next goal is for Erin to make it to Sunday, June 1st (33 weeks). It will be a very difficult week and all your support and prayers will be needed.

Thank you.... Tom