It all started back in October 2009 in Delhi, when the two dark lines on the home pregnancy test confirmed that it is just the beginning of what was nothing less than a roller-coaster ride. This got further confirmed by our doctor that yes, I was pregnant!! Very mixed feelings at that moment, as not to forget that we had reached this stage after two rounds of complications – one being an early miscarriage and the second being an ectopic one.
Dr. Meenakshi Ahuja – The most amazing and lovely doctor that I have ever met. I had been visiting her earlier and this time too I handed over the reins of the journey in her safe hands.
Well, the big bang from the Doctor was yet to come when she announced – “You have conceived triplets, my dear”. Stunned and shocked are understated words for the reaction that both me and my husband had at that point of time. We were like “Oh! Wow!” – “Really??” Never ever in both our families had we had any history of twins or triplets. The next moment, my doctor followed up by saying that I would have to be extremely careful as we would have to wait for the first three months to get over to be 100% sure that all 3 are responding and growing. She gave us a quick background on how lot of times twins and triplets are conceived naturally however they one of them vanishes during the first trimester. The thought of this was already making me feel nervous. There was no way that I wanted to lose any one of them. They were my triple gifts that God had given me 🙂
I had to go on a complete bed rest. Strictly following what my Doctor had prescribed so that my three little musketeers are well taken care of. Families were informed. Everyone was equally excited and nervous for this journey we had embarked upon.
I successfully crossed the Level 1 of my journey very well. Another round of Ultrasound and the Doctor gave us the green signal. All three were very much going to be with me on this journey. Nevertheless, I was very clearly cautioned that I should be extremely careful and be prepared for the challenges.
I have always given the credit of the success of my journey to two very important people – My Mumma & My Hubby. They both were the strongest pillars that stood by me throughout, day-in and day-out to make sure everything was smooth for me. My dear Mumma (might sound a bit filmy but yes she is my mumma and not my mom-in-law) came to my rescue. That day and the next year and half, she single-handedly managed everything at home for all of us. Whether it was taking care of me, to ensure what I need to taking care of the needs of others as well.
Also, how can I forget to mention here my amazing doctor, Dr. Meenakshi Ahuja, who used to make it so simple for both of us. All thanks to her for making it happen so smooth for me.
As my little sweethearts started to grow, I started to have a big round tummy! I knew it was going to be a lot of weight by the end of it. They say that every woman undergoes certain peculiar things during her pregnancy… the same was with me!! I developed this weird itching during my pregnancy and it would just go on and on. At times it would really drive me crazy!! And my doctor told me that honestly there is not much that I could do about it except keep applying Lactocalamine. There were many sleepless nights that I spent scratching myself.
Hunger pangs too were crazy with three of them jumping inside. So eventually, it became an automated process for my poor husband. At 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. I would just slowly call out to my husband that I am feeling hungry and he would immediately go to the kitchen and bring me a big glass of milk with Roohafza in it (this was my favourite during my pregnancy and I still love it!) Oh, and not to forget that I used to go to sleep every night with a couple of bananas by my bed side. Who knows? When the trio will wake up and ask for food 😛
Time further passed by and my tummy grew even bigger. Movement was completely restricted for me. So it was practically just getting up for taking my bath or going to the washroom. A doting mumma and pampering husband, what more can a woman ask for during the most critical and life-transforming phase of her life.
Every visit to the doctor and every ultrasound used to be so much of excitement for me. Not only because I would get to see my little ones growing and get that reassuring nod from the doc that all is going well by the grace of God but also because that used to be my DAY OUT! So, after the doctor’s visit, my husband and I would go to this nice cute bakery on the way called ‘Open Oven’ and grab a bite. There obviously used to be a lot of ‘me time’… What did I do then? I was very regular with doing my Path during my pregnancy. Also, listening to Hanuman Chalisa during that time gave me a lot of strength and positivity. It was really required because it wasn’t all so smooth and happy. We had our share of struggles, pain and discomfort and with all the courage I fought through all those phases.
As time was nearing, we were all gearing up for the big day. Our doctor had given us a heads up that I won’t be able to stretch it to a full term pregnancy. So 34 Weeks is all that I could complete and it was time for me to go to the Hospital. We had to decide on a date. My husband’s birthday is on 26th May, so we intentionally did not want it to fall on the same day. So it was decided – 28th May is going to be THE DAY!
Fortis La Femme in Greater Kailash, Delhi is where I was admitted for the biggest and most amazing day of my life when I would get to bring my awesome threesome to this world, see them, touch them, hold them, and love them.
The morning of 28th May, the preparations had begun in the Operation Theatre. I was given anesthesia and taken into the Operation Theatre. My husband had a choice if he wanted to be in the Operation Theatre while the delivery was going to happen. Guess what? Yes, he decided to do that and be by my side, holding my hand, while I was to give birth to our trio. It was truly a feeling out of this world and is still so fresh on my mind when I think of that day.
Cut to 9:25 a.m., 28th May – The first one had come into this world and it was a boy! 9:26 a.m. – Here comes the second one in our lives and it was a girl! Another minute to go and the third one would be in our lives… And hey, it was a boy again! My Awesome Threesome had arrived 🙂 Yippppeeeeeee!!
Exhausted, under anaesthesia and there I could see my world in front of my eyes. My husband by my side and my three darling, adorable, little munchkins all waiting for their Mommy to hold them. But things are not that easy and simple you see! After I was back in my room at the hospital, I was informed that they would be sending only the first boy to me in sometime while the other two would be in the NICU. Well, they were premature and quite underweight too. 2kg, 1.6kg and 1.4kg – That’s what their weight was when they were born so you can very well imagine.
Both us were a bit upset that all three would not be with us immediately but we realised that was more important for them at that time. Holding my son was the most amazing feeling. Though I was missing the other two too. I got my daughter with me only while I was getting discharged and they informed us that my other son would need to be in the NICU for a few more days before he would be ready to go home.
We checked and re-checked with the doctor if everything was ok with him. They assured us that everything was fine and that he should also be home soon. That soon was not really so soon and ended up being almost 10 days. And not forgetting to mention that the first son also made a short trip to the hospital in between to meet his brother as he was diagnosed with jaundice. I was supposed to go to the hospital every day to make sure that I was feeding the third one too. The travel every day and the whole ordeal was so crazy and tiring. A lot of times I would end up breaking down and then again with all the support, I would gather courage and continue further in this motherhood journey of bringing them up.
After writing this story, my husband and I have a feeling that we should start writing a book on this and get it published 🙂 Time to sleep now as I need to wake up early as my awesome threesome need to go to school. Yes, they turned 7 in May this year, study in Class II, are named Rajbir, Rubani and Ranbir and we are now living in Mumbai.
— Roopa Hoonjan —
