We had been unsuccessful trying to get pregnant with Clomid, even after a hysterosalpingogram and laparoscopy. Dr. Kermit Erwin, my OB/GYN in Defiance eventually referred us to Dr. Shelby Cooper in Ft. Wayne, a fertility specialist.

With Dr. Cooper, my dosage of Clomid was increased, but I actually had decreasing results. My ovaries would produce follicles, but none would mature like they were supposed to, so the next step was shots. I took a shot of Follistim for about 12 days, and drove to Ft. Wayne about every other day to get blood work done and to have an ultrasound. Finally, it was time for me to take a shot of Ovidrel to release the eggs from the ovaries. There was one that was the perfect size, while the three other ones were much smaller.

At my appointment in early March, we found out we were pregnant. Dr. Cooper said there might even be two because the hormone levels were pretty high. A week later, I had an ultrasound that showed 4 gestational sacs, but only one had a heartbeat. That was a shock! We did a lot of praying and thinking that week. I’m not sure what we were praying for though. I thought, one would be such a great blessing. Two might be fun. Three might be a little rough and we might have to move, get a bigger car, etc. Four would just be about impossible, but it was in God’s hand.

The next week, we found out that all four had developed heartbeats. We were expecting quadruplets! Dr. Cooper and his staff had done their job, and we were referred to Dr. Thomas Wheeler, an OB/GYN and specialist in Maternal Fetal Medicine. Our first few visits were tense and we were scared. Dr. Wheeler brought up the option of selective reduction and reminded us that we could lose one or more at any time.

On April 15, 2005, I woke up around 2:00 am with pain in my right side and couldn’t stop vomiting. At 5:00 am, Mark and I went to the Emergency Room at Defiance Regional Medical Center. I had the third and first shift ER doctors examine me as well as Dr. Erwin and Dr. Hashmi (a surgeon). They also called Drs. Cooper and Wheeler to consult with them on what to do with my situation. Once it was confirmed that it was a cyst the size of an orange and not my appendix, I was admitted. I had surgery at 8:00 pm that night. Since Dr. Erwin had to go out of town, Dr. O, an OB/GYN from Toledo filled in for him. Dr. Hashmi removed my appendix and Dr. O. removed the bleeding cyst that ended up measuring 4" x 7" !! All four made it through the surgery very well.

We were excited and relieved that all four quads had made it this far! We made plans to move closer to our families in Delphos. Our house sold in 2 days! I guess it was meant to be.

At the 18-week ultrasound, all the measurements were great and everyone was doing so well, including me. It was so exciting to hear the news that we were going to have at least one girl. Baby C was the girl and Babies A, B, and D were boys. The technology is so impressive!

Baby A's Profile	Baby B is a boy
Baby C's  foot	Baby D laying on left side

 Week 20 with Triplets

At 20 weeks, Dr. Wheeler said, "Lynn, we have a problem. There’s only three heartbeats." The gestational sac of baby C (the girl) had collapsed. He assured me that it wasn’t anything I did or didn’t do to cause it. It was nature’s way of making a tough decision for us. There were no complications because of her position in the uterus. The pregnancy now was a lot less high risk with triplet boys on the way.

We had another extensive ultrasound and everyone was doing great. Baby A’s estimated weight was 2 lbs., 15 oz. while Babies B and C were both about 2 lbs., 13 oz. My mobility decreased and sleeping at night was beginning to get really uncomfortable. After week 28, we drove to Ft. Wayne every week for check ups.

We went to Dr. Wheeler's office twice a week this week to closely monitor their progress and my blood pressure. I received a steroid shot to help the babies' lungs develop. I have been taking it really easy these days. I feel the best when I'm in the YMCA pool and am weightless :)

Week 33

On Tuesday, October 4th, my blood pressure was 160/108 and Dr. Wheeler admitted me to Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. I was given another shot of steroids at the hospital. I was a little nervous, because there was no turning back now. It was going to happen!

The Triplets were born on October 5, 2005

at 8:03 am, 8:04 am and 8:05 am.

Andrew George at 4 lbs. 5 oz, Zane Dominic at 4 lbs. 2 oz, and Luke Steven at 3 lbs. 15 oz.