[berry987]

My sister is pregnant with triplets...and has three other children under 3 years old. She will have 6 kids under 4 if all goes well with this pregnancy.

She and her DH are happy, but obviously concerned. I'm worried about her body (so many pregnancies in such a short time), those babies, and how they are going to handle all of those little ones.

My whole family lives nearby, so they will have as much help as possible from us. But they don't have the money to have hired help (besides maybe during the initial few weeks).

I'd love some advice from other triplet moms. She is worried about sustaining the pregnancy. Our cousin had triplets 5 years ago at 28 weeks and one of the babies did not survive. Any tips for the ultimate healthy pregnancy with multiples? Anyone have advice for taking care of so many little ones at once? (I joked that she needs to go buy season 1 of Jon and Kate Plus 8).

Thanks!

 

[christyc]

I have not had triplets, but I know that nutrition, from what I read in the multiples books, is a HUGE factor in the outcome of the pregnancy. PROTEIN and WATER are key. There's a book called When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads by Dr. Barbara Luke. One of her specialties is improving multiple pregnancy outcomes and birthweights through nutrition. Your sister should DEFINITELY get that book. For triplet pregnancies, she recommends 4000 healthy calories, 200 g protein, and 178 g fat each day. That's a LOT of food, but well worth it based on the outcomes at her clinic. I didn't have to eat that much, but two things come to mind. First, she's going to be a LOT hungrier than usual once the nausea subsides (assuming she's having that). So, while it will still be hard to get to those goals, it will be easier than you think. Second, high protein snacks can really help fill the gaps. For snacks, I always kept nuts, boiled eggs, peanut butter, cheese, and lunch meat handy. Oh yeah, water. Luke recommends triplet moms get at least eight 16-ounce glasses of water a day.

Anyway, I'm not a triplet mom, so I have no personal experience to offer, but it's wonderful that she has family nearby!

 

[~girlsmum~]

Don't forget the omega's and choline and folic acid in larger quantities, good menu planning christyc.

I would suggest if there is the opportunity for hired help at all that she take advantage of that while she's still pregnant, that'll help huge with being able to carry longer.............REST and food! My MIL made me lie down every afternoon with my twins to make sure I was able to carry them for as long as possible!

Best wishes to your sister! She'll look back fondly on this time in her life, in a few years!

 

[Intertwined]

I have six under six and I'm not in envy of your sister. Her life is going to be crazy and chaotic and crazy for a long while to come.

BUT! It's also fun and vibrant and my kiddos are a laugh a minute.

I needed more help BEFORE the twins were born. Those last few weeks when I really had to be off my feet and taking care of my older kids wasn't happening. I had someone coming every single day from weeks 33-36. They cooked and cleaned and kept my older kids busy. I was just able to rest and nap and eat all that good protein.

Triplet moms even more than twin moms need that protein. And water. More water than seems possible. Those two things and rest are going to give her the best shot of getting her triplets to term. And finding a doctor who will give her a shot at a vaginal birth. My greatest fear was a c-section. I had so many little ones to take care of and surgical complications were just not a possibility I was comfortable with!

 

[vanauken]

About the protein . . . if you want to do a cool supportive-sister thing, BUY her a bunch of easy protein snacks: good nuts, canned chicken, beef jerky, etc, a big jug of cream to go with her coffee . . . my mom bought me a bunch of extra, easy protein snacks when I was pregnant with our twins, and not only was it a help (made it easier to get all the protein I was supposed to), but it was so sweet, and the thoughtfulness lifted my spirits.

So, just a small thing, but if you want ideas, there you go!

Oh, and I totally second, third and fourth the suggestion that she get Dr. Luke's book. That woman's research is incredible. Congrats to your sister!

 

[MamaRabbit]

Wowwee! Your sister will be quite busy!

You have gotten some great advice here. She'll definitely need a lot of help before they're born. And if they come early and are in the NICU, she'll need tons of help with the other children. Line up meals... tons of them from friends, neighbors, church, etc..

She's lucky to have you asking and please come back and ask as much as you need!

 

[berry987]

Thank you so much for all the advice. I am writing it all down and giving her all the info. I'm planning to go out and buy her some high protein snacks (she's a vegetarian...so I have to get creative) and that book by Dr. Luke. Just some early pregnancy presents!

I'm sure I will be checking back a lot - I love this site and now I have a whole new topic to read about!

 

[mama_tigress]

I'm a vegetarian (was actually a vegan before I found out it was twins) and didn't have too much trouble with protein...that is, with finding sources; stuffing it in me was not always enjoyable

Here are good veggie ideas: hard-boiled eggs!, trail mix with lots of nuts (if it has some m&ms or something that's awesome because you end up eating more to get to the chocolate

), string cheese, Clif Builder's Bars (make sure to get that specific kind--they have liike 21g of protein in each and are pretty good, although I got super sick of them), frozen burritos like Amy's or Whole Foods brand

I hated every kind of protein shake I tried, so I stuck with the Builder's Bars. That link will take you to what I consider the best flavor.

I can't imagine being in your sister's position. The truth is, she is almost definitely going to need help while she's pregnant. Most (not all but most) women pregnant with triplets have to go on bed rest at some point, and almost all need at least significantly reduced activity. And she's going to need a LOT of support once the babies are born, but especially once they are 6 months+, IME. I just have a 2-year-old and twins and I'm having a hard time handling it on my own.

Good luck to her

 

[AkRotts]

She is going to need a lot of help after the babies are born. Tell her NOT to be afraid to ask for help.

When our twins were itty bitty, I got so many offers of help, but I turned most of them down. I hated to admit to myself that I couldn't do it and needed help. Instead I would wait until I was at the end of my rope and desperate. Tell your sister not to let herself get to that state and if people offer to help, let them. They wouldn't offer if they didn't want to help.

While I don't have triplets, I do have twins that were 8 months old when my littlest one was born. People are always mistaking them for triplets, especially now that Caitlyn (the youngest) is almost the same size as Camryn (our girl twin).

While I totally adore all three of my little ones, having three so close in age has been very hard. I work full time and if it weren't for my oldest daughter who quit her nanny job to move back home and be our live in nanny, I don't know what I would have done. We are blessed and very thankful to have her help.

As they get older, some things get easier, while others get harder.

Having three active toddlers racing around the house has been quite an adventure to say the least.

 

[purpleheather79]

I agree with what other posters have said re: protein. I don't have triplets, but have had 6 under 6, the last 4 all under age 3. Your sister is going to need help. Things like bringing freezer meals, cleaning up, helping with laundry, and playing with the older kids are all good ideas.