What to Anticipate After Welcoming Triplets

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What to Anticipate After Welcoming Triplets
by Lisa Thompson
Updated: Dec. 2, 2023
Originally Published: Aug. 26, 2012

When I was expecting triplets, I eagerly devoured a book titled What to Expect When You’re Expecting. I was particularly fixated on the brief section dedicated to multiple births, reading it on repeat to ensure I absorbed every detail.

When my water broke at 34 weeks, I felt fully prepared. Armed with knowledge, I was ready to embrace the operating room! Confident and strong, I thought I had it all figured out.

That was, until after the delivery.

One crucial chapter was glaringly absent from that book—the one that discusses the challenges awaiting new moms in the weeks to follow. I wish someone had prepped me for the “filler” moments so I could have better set my expectations. Now that I’ve been through it, I’m here to share the real insights on what you might encounter after having triplets:

1. You might only get a fleeting five-second glimpse of your babies before they’re whisked away to another room. Don’t worry if you can’t hold them right away; they’re in the best place for a thorough check-up, and you’ll see them soon enough.
2. In the recovery room, you’ll spend a couple of hours trying to conjure the images of those tiny faces you only caught a glimpse of. One had darker hair… one had fuller lips… maybe one has curly hair? Those fleeting thoughts will help pass the time.
3. You’ll be wheeled into your room, still tethered to an IV and catheter, as your family members beam with pride, sharing how much the babies resemble each other. You’ll clutch the Polaroid photos taken in the NICU as if they’re priceless treasures because, to you, they truly are. (Feel free to kindly tell Aunt Karen, who’s trying to snatch a photo from your hands, to “Back off or else!”)
4. It may take several hours before you feel strong enough to sit in a wheelchair and visit the NICU. You’ll be rolling alongside your IV stand and catheter bag. At this point, you’d gladly ride your bed like a scooter if that’s what it took!
5. Picking up your babies will require careful maneuvering around monitor wires and possibly breathing tubes. The atmosphere will be crowded and noisy, filled with constant beeping from the monitors. But oh my goodness—you’re finally holding your little ones!
6. While mothers of full-term babies hear terms like Meconium and Colostrum, you’ll be grappling with terms like Bradycardia and Apnea during daily meetings with the NICU doctor. It’s certainly not the joyful celebration you envisioned. Embrace this new language—it’s a sign of your strength as a triplet mom.
7. Being wheeled to the discharge door can be a surreal and heartbreaking experience. You might find yourself sitting there, alone, surrounded by flowers and balloons, feeling the weight of leaving your little ones behind. It’s a moment that can hit you hard mentally; I spent ten minutes sobbing alone, waiting for my partner to pick me up. Allow yourself to cry—let it out, ignoring the stares from strangers.
8. You’ll feel stretched thin. As you recover from your C-section, you’ll be making daily trips to the hospital, sitting in uncomfortable chairs when your body craves the comfort of a cozy bed. Just take it one day at a time; this phase will pass.
9. It’s rare for all three babies to be discharged simultaneously, adding to the emotional and physical strain. While you’re still healing and up multiple times a night caring for one preemie at home, you’ll also be spending hours at the hospital with your other little ones. This is when you need to call for reinforcements—don’t hesitate to ask family and friends to step in!
10. You’ll hear about the importance of providing breast milk, but may face challenges with breastfeeding due to your babies’ fragility. You might feel overwhelmed and unable to pump enough to feed three. It’s easy to feel judged or inadequate, but remember, it’s okay to reach for formula too!

Despite the challenges that lie ahead, knowledge truly is power. Being prepared for what to expect can be your best ally.

The good news? Things will improve faster than you think. Once all your babies are home, you can establish a routine and enlist the help of loved ones. When they offer to help, hand them a pile of laundry rather than a baby! And when they ask if there’s anything else they can do, say, “Yes, please empty my dishwasher.” Then sneak off for a well-deserved nap—there’s nothing like crawling between cool sheets, knowing you won’t be disturbed for a blissful three hours.

Before you know it, your triplets will be seven, and you’ll find yourself reminiscing about how quickly time has flown. You might even wish for just one more day to hold their tiny bodies again.

For more insights on parenting multiples, check out this informative post here. If you’re considering your own family planning journey, visit Make A Mom for reliable home insemination kits, and explore Womens Health for fantastic resources on pregnancy and home insemination.

Summary

Welcoming triplets is a unique experience filled with challenges and surprises. From brief glimpses in the NICU to navigating the emotional rollercoaster of leaving the hospital without all your babies, understanding these realities can help prepare you for the journey ahead. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help and lean on your support system as you adjust to life with triplets.