The Count

Today Eli and I went for our second ultrasound. It was the second because I had to go in 2 weeks ago for some bleeding. So we've known for a couple weeks how many babies we are expecting, but because of the threat of miscarriage, we held off telling everyone the count. The ultrasound today showed that all is well...so. The final count is 3. We are having triplets!

To say that we were shocked when we found out would be an understatement. I'm pretty sure our emotions have run the gamut these past weeks. But we were happy to know that all of the babies are safe and sound. We just hope that it stays that way. My Dr. is taking a lot of precautions and there will be a lot of bedrest. I will be put on bedrest at home around week 17 (which gives me 8 weeks to get everything in order. Not gonna happen.) Then around week 24 I will go into the hospital for the remainder of the pregnancy. Dr. Melillo told me that if we make it to 32 weeks I will hear him breathe, if we make it to 33 he will be happy. Anything after that is icing on the cake. There will be more NICU time than the last time around, and of course, the risks to the babies' health goes up the earlier they arrive. So your prayers are needed and appreciated.

This is all a very scary, happy, CRAZY time for our family. I guess we don't do childbearing normally around here. And once the babies have arrived, we will have 5 children under the age of 3. Woohoo! It's gonna be a circus around here. :) We have already had the most generous and amazing offers to help. We could not have asked for more. Things will be tricky and difficult for awhile, but we did this once before, we'll do it again. I really feel that all will be well. And I know I have a few Fathers up there in Heaven who will be doing all they can to assure these little ones arrive safely. :) And a mountain of friends and family on this side who will be doing the same.

Here's a pic of the trips. There's not much to see yet, but you can tell I'm not lying about 3. :)

Before I go. There's one more thing. Please, please, please take a minute to scan this article. Next week, the progesterone shot that helps prevent preterm labor (a shot I will need) is drastically increasing in price. Right now a vial of this costs $10 to $20. Next week, a vial will cost $1500! You use a vial every week from week 17 to week 32 of a pregnancy! This price hike is simply because a drug company decided to make this drug (that has been around for years), a commercial drug. Everyone was behind the commercialization of the drug, but the company failed to let anyone know of the price hike. They had no research or development fees that justify this hike. This is a drug that can mean the difference between life or death or an infant. At this point, it is brand new news. I don't know exactly who to contact, but stay tuned. There needs to be a public backlash, or we will end up making up the difference for insurance companies and medicaid. Not to mention that (with great insurance), the cost to the patient of one vial will now be almost half of the cost for the whole pregnancy with the lower rate. I have been blessed to order this drug this week, so I will not personally be affected by the new price. But many more families will. This company will have a monopoly on this drug for the next 7 years! No generics will be available. So I still feel strongly that we must take action with this. Once again, I am stepping off the soap box. :)