When I was pregnant with triplets, I eagerly purchased a book titled What to Expect When You’re Expecting. At the end of the book, there was a little section on multiple births that I pored over repeatedly, desperate not to overlook any detail.
When my water broke at 34 weeks, I felt prepared and equipped with knowledge, ready to conquer the delivery room! I was confident and strong. Or at least I thought I was—until after the birth.
There was one chapter glaringly absent from that book: the one addressing the challenges new mothers face in the weeks following delivery. If only someone had shared with me the reality of what I would experience, I could have adjusted my expectations. Now that I’ve lived it, here are some insights into what you might encounter after having triplets:
- You may catch only a fleeting glimpse of your babies before they are whisked away to another room. It’s okay if you can’t hold them right away; they’re being taken care of by professionals. You’ll see them soon!
- During your recovery, you’ll spend a good two hours trying to recall those tiny faces from that brief moment. One had dark hair, another had fuller lips, and perhaps one had curls… Those thoughts will help pass the time.
- When you are finally taken to your room, you’ll still be hooked up to an IV and catheter. Everyone else in your family has already met the babies and is excitedly sharing who they resemble. You’ll clutch the Polaroid photos from the NICU like they’re treasures, because they are to you. (And feel free to firmly tell Aunt Karen, who wants to grab the photos, to back off!)
- Hours will pass before you feel strong enough to sit in a wheelchair and visit the NICU. You’ll have your IV stand and catheter bag with you, and at that point, you might as well be driving a scooter to see your little ones!
- You’ll find picking up your babies requires careful maneuvering around monitor wires and possibly breathing tubes. The NICU will be crowded and loud, filled with the constant beeping of monitors. Yet, oh, the joy of finally holding your babies!
- While mothers of full-term babies might hear terms like meconium and colostrum, you’ll be introduced to words like bradycardia and oxygen levels. Daily meetings with NICU doctors will become the norm. It may not be the celebration you envisioned, but embrace your role as a triplet mom—you are doing amazing things!
- Being wheeled out to discharge alone, flowers and balloons in hand, can be a surreal and heartbreaking experience. This moment is often overlooked but is emotionally challenging. I spent ten minutes in tears, waiting for my husband, dreading the thought of going home. (Let it out—crying can be cathartic!)
- You’ll feel stretched thin, juggling your recovery from a C-section while also spending hours at the hospital. It’s okay to take it one day at a time; this phase will soon be a memory.
- It’s rare for all babies to be discharged simultaneously, adding to your emotional and physical strain. You’ll be healing while also feeding a preemie at home and spending countless hours at the hospital with the others. This is the time to call in reinforcements; don’t hesitate to ask family and friends to help!
- The NICU staff will emphasize the importance of providing breast milk but may not allow you to breastfeed due to your babies’ conditions. You’ll feel the pressure to pump, but exhaustion may hinder your efforts. If you find yourself struggling, remember you’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed—sometimes, formula is a valid option.
While some of these experiences may seem daunting, knowledge is your ally. Understanding what to expect can help you navigate the challenges ahead.
The good news? Things will improve faster than you think. Once all of your babies are home, you can establish a routine and lean on loved ones for support. When they arrive, hand them a pile of laundry instead of a baby! And when they ask, “Is there anything else I can do?” don’t hesitate to say, “Yes, please unload the dishwasher!” Then take that well-deserved nap. There’s nothing quite like the bliss of crawling into bed, knowing you’ll have a few uninterrupted hours of rest.
Before you know it, your triplets will be seven, and you’ll be reminiscing about how quickly time has flown. You might even yearn for just one day to relive the moments of holding their tiny bodies in your arms again.
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Summary:
Welcoming triplets is a life-changing experience filled with challenges and emotional hurdles. From fleeting moments with newborns in the NICU to the overwhelming journey of recovery, it’s essential to prepare for the unexpected. While the road may seem daunting, remember that things will improve, and finding support from family and friends can make all the difference.