The Art of Monochorionic Triamniotic Triplets
So, the plan was first to make it to week 22. Week 22 is the point of no return. Up until then you can, according to (Danish) law, terminate a pregnancy, if there are serious health risks involved. This is especially relevant with identical multiples pregnancies, as the shared placenta, and its distribution of nourishment, can go awry and result in TTTS. Or Twin to
The specialist was a head OBGYN at our main hospital. She was handsome, authoritative, precise and serious. An alpha-female. She was not happy like the nurse. We weren’t “just” expecting triplets, we were expecting monochorionic triamniotic triplets. Identical triplets, sharing a placenta. It was an extremely high-risk pregnancy, and we had to consider whether we wished to continue, or decide on an abortion. With identical
As a parent of multiples there are some phrases you hear repeatedly. There’s “better you than me” (rude!), there’s “you certainly have your hands full” (well-meaning), and there’s “double-trouble” for twins, and “triple-trouble” for triplets (not sure if there’s a quads- and a quints-saying too. I Imagine they’ll just leave most people speech-less). The first two I always answer on auto-pilot, and forget about them
I honestly don’t remember much from the ultrasound session. Man says that I cried, but it is all a blur to me. I mainly remember what follows. We were walking through the hospital hallways, waiting to see a specialist. She would scan us again, and tell us more about multiples pregnancies. We were shocked and in disbelief, but happy. And kind of excited and exhilarated
