Shylo Wardyn Wardyn/Riordan Triplets

Our triplet journey began on July 31st, 2019, when we had an ultrasound to confirm pregnancy at 7 weeks gestation and saw 3 embryos! We immediately knew our life would change in so many ways. 

Our pregnancy went very well and every month up to 20 weeks, we met with our high-risk doctors and got an ultrasound, which allowed us to see how the triplets were growing. We also found out that we were having two boys and a girl. Our oldest son, Max, somehow knew that we would have two boys and a girl-he just knew!

Unfortunately, at 23 weeks (November 20th), I noticed that something was wrong and called the doctor. I said that I thought I could be leaking amniotic fluid, so they had me come into the Labor and Delivery to get checked out. Since Jesse was out of town at a conference, I had to call my niece to watch Max, as it was about 6:30pm and I thought I might not be back before bedtime. 

At L&D, they checked me over and said that I was definitely leaking amniotic fluid, which meant that one of the babies had ruptured their sac (Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes or PPROM).  They also said I was already dilated at 3cm and that I would not be able to leave the hospital until the babies were delivered. I was immediately started on magnesium to help stop contractions and given steroid shots to help mature the babies lungs. I had to tell Jesse to come back from his conference early and arrange for help with Max-it was a terrifying and overwhelming night. One of the options mentioned was to naturally deliver baby A if contractions continued, but to try a delayed interval delivery for the boys if at all possible, which meant keeping them inside for as long as possible. 

We were able to stop contractions and the goal was to keep me pregnant for as long as possible. We were all optimistic that I could stay in the hospital for weeks while the babies continued to develop and we were told that every single day mattered at this gestational age. I was moved on from L&D to the Mother/Baby unit for a long term stay on the 22nd. Unfortunately, on the 26th around 10:50am, I felt some bulging and realized that I was having a baby. The nurses got me onto a bed and rolled me back to L&D operating room in case I needed a c-section. 

Baby A was born naturally still completely in her amniotic sac at 11:20am. She had been basically holding the boys in and once she was out, baby B's sac started to descend. He was feet first and it was determined that it would be safer to have a c-section and deliver both boys at once. Baby B was born at 11:46am and baby C was born at 11:47am. All babies cried a little, which was really good to hear. We were able to see them before they left for the NICU. Baby C had the biggest frown on his face-you could tell he wasn't the one ready to come out!

 

Our triplet journey is now taking place in the NICU at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. We know that they couldn't be in a better place than UIHC.