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'If it weren't for my husband and my mom I'm not sure how I would've survived': The A-Bundlely Blessed Diaries #3

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When we heard the news, I did a lot of researching and realised there weren't many stories, in South Africa, of what to expect when expecting triplets.
When we heard the news, I did a lot of researching and realised there weren't many stories, in South Africa, of what to expect when expecting triplets.

We're five months in! 

For 'normal' pregnancies this would be the halfway mark. But for us, it won't be much longer before we meet our three little babies.

Our doctor expects them to make a showing in about 15 weeks!I started this blog to document our journey, and to find a network of moms expecting multiples.

When we heard the news, I did a lot of researching and realised there weren't many stories, in South Africa, of what to expect when expecting triplets. Most of the stories I found spoke about scary experiences and not much advice for the journey itself. Of course, I was freaked out by this.


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Pregnancy symptoms

With my first pregnancy, four years ago, I experienced morning sickness for the full nine months.

I didn't complain about it at the time, but it was horrible! I also had the normal aches and pains, leg cramps and swollen feet as expected.This time, however, it felt as if the symptoms kicked in the moment we found out we were expecting triplets.

Just as I hit the 10-week mark, I had to make a conscious decision to slow down. I run out of breath just walking down the passage or mid-conversation. I also can't be on my feet for too long. I have to take breaks after a shower and before getting dressed.

And sleep… I sneak in every opportunity I get! I'm at the height of these symptoms. I do think I've kind of adjusted to the extra weight I'm carrying around, (which is equivalent to someone that is about seven months pregnant), and have learnt to better pace myself. 

If it weren't for my husband Nicolyn and my mom I'm not sure how I would've survived the first trimester. When the morning sickness kicked in, it came full force. I was nauseous all day and even lost four kilograms in two weeks. Then the leg cramps started (bear in mind this was only at about the 12 or 13-week mark.) 

Pregnancy symptoms aside, this past week was a memorable one. I've been feeling slight movements in my belly for some time. But this was a milestone week. I felt the babies kick for the first time. Their kicking game has improved so much that Nicolyn also felt it for the first time. I cherish these sweet moments.

Having a four-year-old who also needs my attention comes with its own set of challenges. I can no longer pick Nikolai up, and I can now either bath or dress him, not both. Playing rugby or soccer with him, which he loves, is also out of the question.

For now, I'll just have to settle on grooming him as the next Tiger Woods on the greens!

Nikolai's reaction

We have regular discussions with Nikolai to help him adjust to the idea of having three siblings all at once.

Although he tells people about the babies and shows the number of babies with his cute little fingers, I don't think he fully grasps it all just yet. 

Just the other day, while I was picking out baby clothes, he asked me "Mamma gaan ons drie babas kry?" When I said yes, he shrieked and said he only wanted one!

His father also recently showed him a picture of triplets lying in their cot. His frank response, "Yoh pappa daai is baie babas." He's since said that he's happy with just one brother and sister.

I'm not quite sure who's going to feel like the odd one out yet, but sometimes he amazes me.

One evening while he was getting his pyjamas from his cupboard, and saw a set that no longer fits. He told me that the babies can get all those clothes because he's a big boy now! My heart melted.

The babies’ gender?

As with any pregnancy in the social media age, it’s not complete without a creative gender reveal, right? With our last visit, the specialist doctor asked whether we wanted to know the genders.

I declined because I want the surprise factor to last just a little bit longer, but Mr Eager Beaver was adamant he wanted to know. Nicolyn now walks around the house with the three envelopes, very chuffed with himself.

To be honest, my curiosity is starting to get the better of me now, though. I’ve left the gender reveal in Nicolyn’s hands and judging by his excitement, I can feel it’s going to be something really special… And I cannot wait!

Until next time…

Chantelle Whittles,

A-Bundlely Blessed

Follow Chantelle's journey from 1 to 4 on Parent24. 

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