21 Week Update

Well, I guess I better write an update. Even though I don't feel like much has happened, I guess it has (the little news adds up). Last week we got a copy of the ultrasound. It said that I do in fact have 3 separate sacs and 3 separate placentas (triamniotic trichorionic). I was confused thinking that they shared a placenta because later on it stated that the placentas are fused and the tech mentioned that they were in one placenta (I get the impression that most placentas will fuse when they are squished in there). Anyways, this was very good news, as it means the risk of twin to twin transfusion is much lower (where one baby takes more blood supply from the other and grows much faster than the other). So that is very good news. Too bad I spent an entire week worrying about it! Oh, this also means that we don't know whether they are identical or not, there is a good chance that they are not identical.
On Wednesday, I finally had an appointment with my specialist. Man, I've decided I don't like seeing obstatricians. My appointment was scheduled for 3:30, I did not get into see him until almost 7! I had called before leaving for the appointment and they informed me he was running late and not to come until 5. So at least I only had to end up waiting 2 hours... Basically, I will take any suggestions anyone has for good reads. I guess these doctors are very very busy and frequently get called out to perform c-sections/deliveries during their office hours.
Anyways, he said I would be coming to see him every 2 weeks and I would also be going to get an ultrasound every 2 weeks at another clinic near his office. The ultrasounds themselves usually take around 2 hours. So basically I am looking at spending a full day at the doctor's every 2 weeks. He did mention that he had sent my previous ultrasound to this special ultrasound clinic to review as they are more familiar with multiple pregnancies (ie, they are better at determining if there are in fact 3 separate placentas and how thick the membranes between them are).
As far as risks go, he let me know what they spend extra time looking for in multiple pregnancies. I am at greater risk for gestational diabetes, so I have to take the test a few weeks earlier than in a typical pregnancy (the test where you drink that sugar drink), and they may repeat the test later on if they are concerned. I am also at greater risk for preeclampsia, so they will be monitoring my blood pressure more. I am at greater risk for becoming anemic, so I have to take extra iron (but this can cause constipation, so then I probably get to be on Metamucil too... man all this stuff adds up). They also check for signs of preterm labor. The best way to track this is by performing an ultrasound and determining the length of the cervix (currently my cervix is a 5, anything above 2.5 is good, so that is good news). If my cervix becomes a concern, I may be put on hospital bed rest in hopes I can get as far along as possible. Finally, during the ultrasounds, they will monitor the growth of the babies and make sure they are all growing (they don't necessarily have to be the same size, but they all need to be growing). Oh, and one more thing, the goal is to get to 34 weeks (December 1). If I get that far, there is a very good chance all babies will be healthy and strong, and they will perform a c-section sometime in that 34 weeks. I did ask at what week would they be OK if they came early. He said that the rate of survival significantly increases at 28 weeks, so if I get that far, there is a very good chance they will all make it without too many complications (they just will have to spend significant time in the NICU as some organs - such as lungs- won't be fully developed).
The good news with these risks is that because I have had a previous pregnancy without these complications, my chances are lower of developing gestational diabetes, preeclempsia, and preterm labor.  But I am supposed to take it easy. I'm not supposed to lift or do anything that adds pressure to my stomach. In fact, people pregnant with triplets who have a job outside the home are allowed to stop working at 20 weeks in order to take it easy. I'm just thankful for all the people who have offered or given me help already (especially with Benson). I have been trying to teach him to be more independent and he is doing pretty well. He is getting pretty into TV :) He has been a very good sport through it all and I think he actually quite likes being able to get in/out of his crib/high chair/car seat by himself. OK, I think that is all the news for now. Sorry, this turned into a REALLY long post. Hopefully it answers all of everybody's questions :)