Keepin’ It Real Rewinds 12
First Trimester:
Although it’s a bit of a blur now, the uncertain days of the first trimester seemed to last a lifetime. Every week, we returned to my RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist) to complete blood work and count heartbeats while we held our breaths. Although we knew that one or more of the embryos disappearing or absorbing would be a more favorable outlook for the rest of the babies; We breathed a sigh of relief each time the fourth heartbeat was accounted for, knowing that God had chosen to sustain life yet another week.
Ultimately I chose to trust God’s sovereignty in each of those growing little bodies, but I struggled every single day with our circumstances. I attempted to prepare myself for the worst case scenario, yet I wanted to believe that God could save all of them. He was the God of miracles, right? He would work all things according to His purpose. He promised to do so, but I wrestled with trusting Him completely.
Because of the increased risk due to the mono-mono complication and the fragility of a high order multiple pregnancy, we kept a very short-list of people who knew about our quadruplet pregnancy during the first trimester. It was SUCH an involved, complex, emotionally-loaded, time consuming, conversation. (In fact, I’m STILL explaining Monoamniotic Monochorionic Twins, over two years later!) The idea of triplets was daunting enough without throwing in another number and complication that we ourselves didn’t understand completely. Looking back, would I let more people be "in the know"? Perhaps. I think it was our coping strategy to deal with the exponential unknowns.
Physically, I was handling the demands of a multiple pregnancy incredibly well. Although I dealt with serious fatigue and fell asleep to the music of Final Jeopardy most evenings, I was able to keep meals snacks down with ease.I even went the whole trimester without purchasing a single maternity clothing item. (Thanks to the rubber band trick I learned from Natalie!) Working my speech therapy job at the school was tiring, but I enjoyed the distraction of the kids, and the support of my colleagues.
Towards the end of the first trimester, I was referred to our perinatologist, Dr. Sumners, who would take over my care exclusively. If I remember correctly our initial appointment went well over 3 hours. (Our doctor was in an emergency c-section for a woman having her 14th baby. Apparently there’s no stopping the fourteenth!) However, our prolonged wait was no accident. A photographer was in the office doing a shoot for an upcoming brochure, featuring 10 month old QUADRUPLETS on the cover! While we waited, we were able to observe them interacting, and interrogate ask their mom a million questions about her own experience. We could hardly believe our eyes! We barely knew quadruplets existed before now, and here they were right before our very eyes smiling, climbing, giggling, ALIVE and HEALTHY! So incredibly healthy!
Meeting Denise and her babies became our "living proof" that with God all things are possible and filled us with a new hope…
I love these rewind posts. Especially because they are God’s story of grace and power and providence. Nothing is an accident!
AMAZING KIRR post…HE does have a plan for all of us and HE chose you and Brad to be the parents of your kiddos for a reason! Enjoy Brooks, Clark, Henry, and Issac!
~Elyse
Wow, what a testament to our Faithful Father! How much He shows himself trustworthy if we only turn to Him! That sounds like such a taxing time…I have friend who is pregnant right now (she will be induced on Monday) who’s baby has a large hole in her heart and an interrupted arotic arch. We would truly appreciate your prayers for strength and healing! Her blog is http://www.martinfamilytimes.blogspot.com for anyone who would like to leave an encouraging comment.
Thanks!
Jen, I am so drawn into the way you write. I love it. I think you should gather up these “rewind” posts because it would create a treasured book and momento of this miracle. I’m in awe!
Jen,
I love how God is ALWAYS in the details. No coincidence that those quads were there. Thanks for the KIRR. I look forward to them!!
xoxo, Veronica in CA
Incredible, just absolutely amazing, Jen! We serve an Awesome God, don’t we!! And I have to tell you again that you are an a.m.a.z.i.n.g writer! You use words and have such creative writing skills!! I’m seriously amazed every post I read!! I thoroughly enjoy your blog to no end!! -Sioby 🙂
Wasn’t it AMAZING to see other quads when you were pg? I remember seeing triplets, and it really made my day (or month) to see that- it CAN be done, and everything really can work out great:) At least for that day, I worried a little less.
What an awesome story. God was is a God of hope and it seems He knew you needed that on that very day. Incredible! I second Andria on your gift for writing. You have a book in the making here…a new item in your NICU care basket, perhaps? 🙂 Love you!
As I am still pregnant with quads, I do appreciate the rewinds. It’s a favorite past time of mine to read about others pregnancy just to know that one can get through this and have 4 beautiful babies in the end! Thank you!
Just found your blog via MckMama.
I know how much work my preemie twins were- I can't imagine doubling them! Still, worth every second and struggle of course. Our babies were also miracles produced via fertility treatments (even though their Daddy is also a twin!)
Good luck to all of those still in the trenches and those expecting multiples. It's a wild and wonderful ride.
Fun blog!
I just discovered your site and have enjoyed reading your rewinds. I wish you’d continued them throughout the rest of your pregnancy, though!
I know…me too. One of these days!