Its really hard to believe that I’ve been pregnant for six months. The time has gone by both quickly and slowly. And now the babies are just 8-10 weeks away from being here with us, another chunk of time that feels like its both far away and so close its kind of scary. At least we hope its 8-10 weeks away and not any sooner. Eight weeks from now I’ll be 32 weeks, which is the average for triplet births. Even though I’ll be huge and miserably uncomfortable, I pray and ask for your prayers that the babies won’t be born until at least 34 weeks. Those extra couple of weeks of growing and maturing in my womb will be so much better for them. I feel I’ve been more emotional this week than others. More prone to reading blogs by triplet parents who have experienced great struggles with their premature babies and trying to emotionally prepare myself for the possibility without letting it become a fear that consumes my thoughts. Everything about this pregnancy so far has gone so unbelievably well. But I can’t rest on that and take for granted that it will continue that way. Our trust in God is the only hope there is and I can rest in that. These triplets weren’t a surprise to Him even though it was a huge shock to us, and nothing that happens from here on out will be a surprise to Him either.
I’ve also been reading up a lot on breastfeeding multiples and all of the special considerations to take into account when breastfeeding so many babies at once. Its going to be the most challenging thing I’ve ever done and I’m going to need a lot of support and encouragement from the people who will be with us the most in those first few weeks/months after the triplets are born. I know there are a lot of people who may not understand why I’m willing to sacrifice so much time and energy to breastfeed them, but it really is such an important thing I can do for my babies. Even when its difficult and painful and frustrating and taking up just about every waking moment, it will be worth it. And truthfully, if all I have time for at first is to learn to feed them and teach them to nurse, that’s ok with me. That’s going to be my job and the most important thing I can do that no one else can.
Here’s to 10 more weeks of pelvic pain, shortness of breath, congestion, having to sit after 5 minutes of standing/walking, moving and sounding like an 80 year old whenever I get up/sit down, going to the bathroom every 20 minutes, and finding absolutely no comfortable position in which to sleep. Oh, and no coffee. These 10 weeks will fly by.
