On September 5, 2008 I gave birth to 4 beautiful babies Samantha, Bridgette, Theodore "Teddy" and Madeline. Nine days later on September 14, 2008 Madeline was called to Heaven. So begins my journey of raising my Quadruplets as Triplets. They will always be my Quads!!

Friday, July 11, 2008

19 Weeks with Quads

The Dr. Visit: We had what was suppose to be a quick ultrasound to measure my cervix length and ended up in the hospital and on bed-rest.

My cervix had gone from 3.5 cm the week before to .48cm with baby A’s water sac hanging down right to the edge. As soon as they seen that the Dr. said I was not allowed to get up and was immediately transferred to a bed with wheels to move me around and eventually bring me to a room and it could be set at an incline, that way my feet would be higher than my head hoping that gravity would push baby A’s sack back into the sterile environment of my uterus.

I was admitted to the hospital and given antibiotics and contraction stopping medicine, indocine, to prepare me for surgery the next day. They wanted to put in what is called a cerclage, basically a stitch in my cervix to hold it closed.

Saturday July 12th, I went in for my first ever surgery, terrified, the inclined bed had done its job and baby A’s water sak was back in the uterus. The Dr. was able to put in the stitch successfully and I was brought back to my room. I was given yet an other antibiotic (so I was being given 2 through the IV) and more contraction stopping medicine, Magnesium sulfate, this medicine can have terrible side effects. Thank goodness the low dose worked for me and I just got a stuffy head and a headache.

The main concern now was for infection, and the next 48 hours would be the most critical. After 24 hours of being given 2 antibiotics through the IV (48 hours for 1 of them), I was taken off both. After the Dr. had seen me on Sunday, July 13th, I was taken off the Magnesium Sulfate and IV completely. My body had responded well and had little/no contractions.

By Monday, July 14th, I was in the mindset that I would be there to stay for the next few months. I was missing Don and the girls so much, I spent the morning crying. The nurse came in with my morning vitamins and indocine, the only medicine I was still on. She said there was a chance I would be going home, and that was my last dose of the indocine. When the Dr. came in he said there was a very good chance I would go home the next day, as long as I did well over night. There was no medical need to keep me in the hospital, in fact I was more at risk for getting a bacteria from just being in the hospital.

Tuesday July 15th, the Dr. released me from the hospital. She said I will most likely be back to stay in 3 – 4`weeks. I get to go home on bed rest allowed to get up only to use the bathroom, shower and make a quick meal just for me.

Thank-You for all of the prayers and keep praying that I can keep these babies growing longer the doctors want to see me get to 28 weeks (September 12) I am still hoping for 32 weeks (October 10).

Thursday, July 3, 2008

18 Weeks with Quads

The Dr. Visit: Well today was a quick visit. I went in for an ultrasound to measure cervix length. My cervix is at 3.5 and when pushed has some give and goes down to 2.5. The Dr. said this is normal for someone at 28 weeks and my body thinks I am at 28 weeks. She was hoping it would be longer but not concerned. She said I am right where I should be for someone pregnant with quads. Just looks like I will be going in weekly to have it measured now. Dr. wants me to get to at least 28 weeks (only 10 weeks away) but said it will be great to make it to my goal of 32 weeks!! Please keep praying for October 10th!!!

The Ultrasound Tech quickly glanced at the babies all are well and kicking. I did not get any pictures of them today. And no heart rates. :(

I get to go back next week, July 11, 2008,for a quick Ultrasound, and my next big ultrasound/appointment will be on July 18th at 20 weeks. So the next time I will update will be after that appointment.

How I am feeling: I have still been feeling good. I did end up in the hospital last Thursday (June 26th 2008), I was having too many contractions, they were stopped with a shot of Turbutalene and I was sent home with some pills to stop contractions if needed. I haven't had to use them. I think I should not have went out looking at Garage sales on Thursday.

The Doctor put me on some more restrictions. My take it easy has turned into not going anywhere that I have to be on my feet. So with a 2 year old that is pretty much house arrest, because if I go anywhere I have to chase her. I can go out to eat though. No bed rest yet but I am close to it.

Pictures: No Ultrasound photos this week