30 weeks

Day 44 in the hospital
30 weeks! 46 1/2 inches around, measuring 51 weeks pregnant, 39 pound weight gain overall.
And nothing new to report.
If you were to have asked me if I ever could have spent 6 weeks in the hospital, I would have said heck no! I guess we're all capable of more than we think. I have been laying in the same hospital bed, in the same room with the same window view for 6 weeks now. And if the doctor keeps his promise, I have 4 more weeks until delivery.
For the first time in this pregnancy, any of my pregnancies for that matter, the discomfort is finally getting to me. I only get out of bed to go to the bathroom and just standing up my feet immediately swell and turn red. By the time I get back into bed after throwing myself in, it feels like I can't catch my breath. And even laying still for hours, I can feel my heart beating fast, I have lots of extra blood that my heart is pumping. The most comfortable position is on my left side and I swear my left thigh is developing a bed sore, it really hurts. And the stretch marks! Oh my, I never would have thought my belly could look like this.
All the complaining aside, 30 weeks is truly a triumph. The national average for quads is 29 weeks. I am so grateful for the wonderful staff here, they are constantly reminding me they can't believe I'm still here and pregnant. It's so nice having support coming from every direction.
The intended mom finally let her guard down once I got to 24 weeks and spent the day shopping for the babies, turns out by the afternoon I was admitted into the hospital in labor. So, ever since she's been too paranoid to do any shopping. I hope to be able to help out a bit after the babies are born. I still don't think I'll really get that I carried quads until I see the 4 babies after they're born! I can't even imagine taking them home, just glad it's not me! :)
Hubby and the kids are officially back home and Hubby starts work the beginning of next week. I know I'll be alright without seeing them each day but it won't be easy. They have adjusted so well and don't really seem too affected by all of this. I do notice my Abby is a little sad, she is really close with me so I know this must not be easy for her. Every time she comes to visit, she crawls into the bed with me and just lays by my side as I twirl her hair and we watch a show. She keeps asking me to do things with her that I used to do like paint her nails, go to the store or just play. She understands but it's heartbreaking to tell your kids sorry, I can't. Where's the fast forward button? Get me out of here! :)
There's a wonderful triplet mom next door and she's 1 week behind me. We go outside together a few times per week with the nurses and talk about what we're going through. I keep telling her, she better not deliver before me! Sometimes I feel like I'm going to be stuck here forever, they're just going to keep torturing me! :) I know this will be over soon, I have good days and bad days.

Thanks for all the support and words of encouragement, it means a lot to me!

The whiteboard in my hospital room.

29 Weeks

All is quiet here, nothing new has happened...we like that.
My hubby and kids are back home and very happy to be there. I miss them but feel content knowing they're happy. I have my mom here and she's been great to me. She brought me my favorite Chipotle dinner last night to celebrate 29 weeks. My younger brother is here now too and my dad is coming out next week. It's nice to see them especially since after this is all over they'll be on the road again full-time RVing and we'll miss them.
Hubby and I are actively searching for an travel trailer to buy for our family so we can do fun trips. The right "one" hasn't come up yet :(
Stumbled upon a TLC show about multiples yesterday. I quickly texted my mom so she could watch too. They featured a couple on hospital bed rest pregnant with quads. Although, she ended up delivering hers a little after 30 weeks, it's nice to see a successful story. I'm certain we'll get to 34 weeks, there's nothing to stop me!
That's all for now :)

A little tour of my hospital room...exciting, I know!


My IV poll, my lone standing, ever attached companion these days!

My "kitchen" complete with mini-fridge and snacks!

The window seat with a great view of a shopping center parking lot

My bed side table

28 Weeks 6 Days- Growth Ultrasound

Babies are looking good! They measured 2 lbs 7 oz, 2 lbs 8 oz, 2 lbs 9 oz and 2 lbs 10 oz. Their fluid levels are fine and they were practice breathing.
My IF flew in today and surprised my IM...no one knew he was coming. So, he got to see the scan and visit with the doctor. He was so pleased with the progress and everyone feels really confident that we'll make it to our goal. Dr. E said we'll start talking about a date at 34 weeks. My IPs would like me to go further but Dr. E explained the stress on my body versus one more week, the changes aren't significant enough. So, looks like around June 24th we're going to be having some babies! Yay!

Some fun pics of my stay...
My hubby and son watching TV while visiting.
The kids being entertained by my brother.
A trip outside
My beautiful girls
Me and my hubby
Mu hubby poking my belly

28 Weeks

Huge milestone...28 weeks.
Everyone is thrilled, the doctors, my family, the intended parents and me! 46" around my belly but unfortunately lost 1 pound. So, I've gained 1 pound in the past 4 weeks. Hopefully it will start picking up soon.
Knock on wood...things have been great and quiet.
My contractions have stayed minimal, got to go outside again the other day, I'm feeling much more alert and less "magged" out.
Although, Dr. E did another fetal fibronectin test (tests for a certain hormone that is released when your body is likely to go into labor in the next 2 weeks) came back positive for the second time in a row. Obviously it doesn't mean much though since I didn't have any babies in the last 2 weeks. Also, with all the meds I'm on even if I did start to go into labor, the doctors would stop it right away, with little consideration of how I might feel :)
Next Thursday is our monthly growth ultrasound, excited to see how that goes.
They have also been checking the fluid levels around each baby since I'm on Motrin via ultrasound. Babies B and C (both girls) have low fluids. They said they want to see the pocket above 2 and they both measured around 2.5. Nothing to worry about now but they are watching it closely. Baby D (the biggest boy) continues to have extra fluid for reasons unknown. I secretly worry about him because on top of the fluid problem, he has a brief heart deceleration during an ultrasound the other day. That prompted the doctors to put him on the belly monitor for an hour. He did fine but his resting heart rate is very low, below the 120's which is interesting since he's the most active of the bunch. I pray there is nothing wrong with him or an urgent situation isn't a reason for delivery.
Our celebration cake
My beautiful flower table
My daily check off calendar...we've come so far!
Balloons to celebrate 28 weeks!
My family all came to my room last night with pizza, cake and balloons to celebrate 28 weeks. It was wonderful to finally be at this point, the home stretch. I've been in the hospital 4 weeks now and never thought I'd be strong enough to make it to this point. I do have bad days, days that whenever is see or talk to my husband I can't help but break down and cry (he has those days too) but I also have a lot of good days. We talk often of the future and the wonderful things we are planning to do. I tell the kids, once I'm out of here it will be summer time and we're going to buy water park passes and spend our whole summer together. My husband is going back to work at the end of this month which creates a difficult situation. He's bringing the kids back with him, his parents have offered to babysit at night and take the kids to a sitter in the mornings. They are planning to drive back down on his days off to visit but it will be hard not seeing them everyday. I just keep reminding myself, it won't be forever, this journey will be over soon. I know we can get through this.

Next big goal is 30 weeks...2 weeks from now.
Overall, hoping to stay pregnant for the next 4-6 weeks. So, we're about half way into my hospital stay...maybe :)

27 Weeks

Day 21 in the hospital...
Belly is 441/2 inches around...not growing that fast. I've gained 2 more pounds, so 39 pound gain overall. I have lovely stretch marks now on the underside of my belly. My little ones love rubbing my special "line cream" on my tummy each day. Goddness knows how appealing that's going to look when this is all done :)
I'm slowly getting my appetite back but stomach space is definitely an issue. Found out yesterday I'm anemic so they are trying iron supplements for now. I'm not at a dangerous level so we're just maintaining for now.
Thankfully, the doctor decided that after nearly 3 straight weeks of continuous contraction monitoring they pulled me back to twice per day instead. I'm so relieved and since, it has resulted in fewer terbutaline shots and night time disturbances. I feel much more relaxed, rested and a little freer. Each day seems to get a little better. I'm 1 week away from our next major goal...28 weeks. It feels like at this rate we will make it much farther giving these babies a much better outcome. Although, I always keep in the back of my head that a pregnancy like this can change in an instant. I feel blessed that I don't have gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, swelling or any other common HOM complications.
The doctor did decide that on top of daily ultrasounds to check heart rates they want to do weekly ultrasounds to check the amniotic fluid around each baby since I'm taking Motrin. Today's ultrasound was a little startling...baby B showed really low level (2.6) and baby D showed a really high level (10). The doctor said if B continues to be low they'll have to stop the Motrin. Baby D's levels being high is usually related to gestational diabetes however, that can't be this case for me. One of the other concerns is a birth defect kind of problem that wouldn't be determined until after birth. I just hope it is nothing and both resolve themselves. Everything else looked good though...2 lower babies are now breach and the 2 upper are laying sideways kind of butt to butt.
The kids are going to spend the weekend with my sister in law in our hometown while my hubby stays here alone. He's pretty excited and I think at this point welcomes the break. Although he's insisting on spending his time here in the hospital sleeping over and watching movies.
Our IP's kindly put our family up in a very nice apartment complex nearby the hospital. My family has a 3 bedroom, my mom a 2 bedroom and my IM is staying in the same complex with her children as well. Long story short, my hubby recently discovered the guy across the way who has 2 children that play with ours each day, is a tattoo artist. My hubby has been longing to add to his "collection" with something related to the kids. So, ever since the neighbor has been coming over and making house call tattoo time for my hubby. Needless to say now that he has a built in tattoo artist my hubby is now just a few tattoos away from having complete sleeves on both arms. It's wonderful seeing him so happy about it but it's definitely become an addiction. At least he has something to occupy his time now :)

Say a prayer for at least 1 more week of pregnancy!

26 Weeks 1 Day

So, my hubby decided I needed some foot care...so sweet. He went out and bought a pedicure kit, nail polish (the girls picked the color) and remover. He spent a good hour carefully prepping my toes for polish and he did a great job.



He also wants to do a hospital "date night" with me. My mom is going to stay over with the kids and he is going to sleep in my room with me. He wants to watch movies and just spend some time together. He has been very supportive during this difficult time...I knew there was a good reason for marrying him :)

I miss my friends and family and can't wait to get back home and see everyone.

My belly is still measuring at 44" around but the babies have dropped...2 are head down, very low and the other 2 are breach at the top. I'm sure I'll get rounder but as of this morning I seem to be "bulging" much lower down than before.

26 Weeks

Made it another week...14 days in the hospital.

After a few hard days mentally, I feel better. Had a nurse I didn't care for 2 days in a row, she made things worse. Hope she doesn't have me again anytime soon.
I get to shower every other day and if things go well (no terbutaline shots) I get to take a wheel chair ride outside. The kids were here the other day when i went outside for the first time, they loved overseeing the big event. It felt amazing to feel the sun on my skin and breath the warm air. I felt renewed!


Our 25 week celebration cake...and Easter :)
I thought I was on a quiet streak with my contractions but the frustrations continue. The doctor did the second fetal fibronectin test the other day, came back positive, not a good thing but not completely predictive. Studies show out of quad pregnancies 35% deliver or go into preterm labor. But we have lots of medication options to fend it off if that happens. The doctors haven't waivered in their attitudes about getting close to our goal of 34 weeks.
Today my contractions spiked again...9 in 45 minutes so they upped the magnesium to 2.5 ml/ hour and gave me a terbutaline shot. I don't feel any different and so far haven't had any side effects from these lower mag levels. The terb is also very tolerable and only makes me a little jittery for about an hour. So far so good.
The next major goal is 28 weeks but we're all certain I'll get way past that. So far no swelling or elevated blood pressure. I lost some weight once being admitted but have gained back those 4 pounds plus 2, not great but alright. 39 pound gain so far.
Won't have another growth scan for 3 more weeks. Glucos test scheduled for whenever I don't have a terb shot...apparently that interferes with getting accurate results.

Pray for another few weeks of pregnancy...