You’re pregnant with triplets. Hearing those words either made your heart leap with joy, or made you cry, or maybe both. Three babies? How are you going to manage this? What kind of challenges lie ahead while attempting to raising three children of the same age at the same time? For now, let’s focus on your pregnancy and carrying three little people.
A ‘higher order’ pregnancy is considered high-risk. This means that you’ll need to schedule additional prenatal appointments (preferably with specialists who are experienced with triplet pregnancies), and extra time to rest, and monitor your pregnancy closely. This is to avoid complications, such as preterm delivery, health issues for you or the babies, or miscarriage.
That said, plenty of women with high order pregnancies have safe deliveries and healthy babies. So once you recover from the shocking news, it’s time to familiarize yourself with what to expect while preparing for the birth of your triplets.
What to Expect During the First Trimester
1. Severe symptoms
Women who are expecting triplets tend to experience pregnancy symptoms (such as nausea, exhaustion, and water retention) more intensely. Swelling can be so pronounced that it’s painful to the touch.
2. Rapid weight gain
While gaining between 25 to 35 lbs is standard during pregnancy, women who are pregnant with triplets could gain 50 to 60 pounds, and they will do so at a quicker rate than a woman who’s pregnant with a single baby or with twins.
What to Expect During the Second Trimester
1. Bed rest
High-risk pregnancies carry a higher likelihood of preeclampsia and preterm labor. Resting is important to maximize blood flow to the uterus, and laying down eases pressure on the cervix, decreasing the probability of premature delivery.
2. Eat more
No, it’s not time to eat for four; but being pregnant with triplets does require about 600 additional calories per day so that each baby receives enough nourishment.
3. You’ll feel them kicking
Yes, all pregnant women feel their babies kick, but you’ll be able to tell that it’s coming from three different babies.
What to Expect During the Third Trimester
1. Physical challenges
The extra weight will make walking, sleeping, and pretty much everything more difficult. Body aches are common, as well as swollen ankles, and the constant urge to urinate. The cumulative effect will have you anxious for the babies to arrive.
2. They’ll come early
By now, you’ve probably heard that most pregnancies last about 40 weeks. Triplet pregnancies do not last this long. Triplets are usually ready to join the world around week 32 to 36.
3. You may need a cesarean
While it is possible to have a natural birth with triplets, it increases the risk of complications. For example, the babies could be in different positions, or they could become entangled during birth. Therefore, most triplet births are by cesarean (C-Section).
4. The delivery room will be crowded
In addition to you, your companion, and the OB-GYN, there will be a pediatrician and a nurse for each baby.
5. The babies may need to go to the NICU
Most triplet births occur prior to the 40-week mark of pregnancy. The time needed in the neonatal intensive care unit will depend on the babies’ weight. Time could vary from a few days to three months.
Call OB-GYN Women’s Centre of Lakewood Ranch for More Information
At OB-GYN Women’s Centre of Lakewood Ranch, we provide a variety of services for every woman, throughout all stages of pregnancy.
Call us today to schedule an appointment.
