Our girls, Sydney, Molly and Giselle were welcomed into this world at 9:04, 9:05 and 9:06 PM respectively last nite. The girls weighed in between 3 lbs 11 oz and and 3lbs 4.6 oz - amazing weights given their gestational age.
The reason the girls had to come out is because Susan's preeclampsia was getting worse - her blood pressure was spiking and her liver function was abnormal - all bad signs. So the decision was made by the covering physician - Alan Kessler that it was time to Deliver. Now we respect Dr. Kessler tremendously but Susan and I did not have the bond with him that we have with Dr. Edersheim so we were bummed that she couldn't deliver our triplets. We were waiting in pre-op getting prepared and were extremely anxious... Dr. Edersheim was on a plane back from California so we couldn't even talk to her. Well we're about to go in and the door bursts open... Its Dr. Edersheim!!! She got our page and came straight from JFK to the hospital. "OH MY G-D" Susan screams, "I AM SO GLAD YOU ARE HERE..." They hug like long lost sisters and Susan begins to cry. She didnt realize until that moment just how tense and nervous she really was. And me as well. Everything felt right with her there. Everything was going to be all right because the calvary was here... and it was and is! It was quie a scene with 3 pediatrician's, 6 pediatric nurses, 3 anesthesiologists, Dr. Edersheim, a resident, 2 scrub nurses, Susan and myself. They allowed me in after they gave Sue her epidural and in fact had already made the incision. It was truly amazing to see the rapidity with which they delivered her, the placentas, contract her uterus and close her - the entire procedure once we got going took about an hour.
As I write this our girls are downstairs in the NICU - doing just fine. And I'm sitting at Susan's bedside while she sleeps - although the girls were delivered around 9 Eastern time, we didnt get Susan back to her room until 4:30 AM - we had to wait on labs to be done before we could head back.
So here's my favorite part... the pics...
Here is Susan as they started the c-section:
Last out... Baby C - Giselle - 3 minutes post delivery
Baby A- Sydney - check out the scale by comparing her body length to the hand of the doctor. They are amazingly small. And beautiful!
Here's Molly - the tube down her throat is used to drain fluid and to provide perenteral nutrition
Finally, here's Mom today, holding one of her lovely's and falling in love.
Mazel Tov, Steve. They look beautiful. Welcome to the best part of your life.
Andy
Posted by: Andy Scherer | May 10, 2007 at 08:57 PM
Fan-friggin-tastic. I'm happy for you ... and relieved. Watching your blog for the past few days has been a bit concerning due to the preeclampsia and worry about your wife and your three as-yet-unborn kids. Congratulations. (Great names, by the way.) Guess I won't see you in Vienna next week -- enjoy your new family. You've got quite a wild ride ahead.
Spoken as a father of three and grandfather of one (and a second grandson on the way),
Mark Y.
Posted by: Mark Y. | May 10, 2007 at 09:03 PM
Thank you so much for your kind words. Its been quite a ride and I figure its just beginning.
Mark- sorry I wont be in Vienna but I do want to discuss that project with you... lets hook up when you get back.
Again, thanks! I am thrilled beyond belief!
Posted by: Steve | May 11, 2007 at 12:22 AM
Awesome news! Congratulations to all. The fun has just begun. Enjoy every smile and tear, hug and kiss. Kids are what life is about.
Congrats again.
Nigel
Posted by: Nigel James | May 11, 2007 at 03:50 AM
Steve, (actually this should be to Susan)
Congratulations!!!!!
Great that they are all okay.
Thomas
Posted by: Thomas Otter | May 11, 2007 at 05:45 AM
Thanx thomas!!! Its amazing. Susan did fantastic.
Posted by: steve | May 11, 2007 at 10:11 AM
Thanx Nigel. Yes. It will be quite a ride. Appreciate your good wishes.
Posted by: Steve | May 11, 2007 at 10:16 AM
Congratulations! They're amazing. I'm sure you guys can't wait to get out of the hospital. Oh, coming home with triplets. Maybe it's better there! :).
Good luck and big congrats!
Kerry
Posted by: Kerry | May 12, 2007 at 03:30 PM
Thanx Kerry... can't wait to come home with our triplets. They're wonderful!
S
Posted by: Steve | May 13, 2007 at 12:54 AM
Just happened to run across your blog. Congratulations and best of luck! Looks like you've got your hands full but I know you'll love every minute of it!
Chris
Posted by: Chris | May 15, 2007 at 12:19 AM
Chris.. thanx. I appreciate your well wishes.
Best,
Steve
Posted by: Steve | May 15, 2007 at 10:31 AM
Wow Steve - it's been awhile since we spoke - congrats on three lovely daughters...! And best wishes to Susan - she's quite a trouper. Get any sleep that you can - sound advise from a father of 6 year old twins and a 3 year old...congrats again!
Posted by: Herman | May 15, 2007 at 03:53 PM
Herman- thanx for your well wishes and the sound advice!
All the best.
Posted by: Steve Mann | May 15, 2007 at 04:13 PM
Hi Steve,
Congratulations - great news! Gee, I thought having one daughter was tough! Welcome to Hormone World in about six years ;-)
From One Mom of One Each to the Mann Family
Posted by: Elke Speliopoulos | May 15, 2007 at 04:46 PM
Elke- thank you for your well wishes. We are truly blessed. Thanx for the heads up on Hormone World. My solution? A separate apartment for Dad :)
All the best.
Posted by: Steve | May 15, 2007 at 05:27 PM
Congratulations!!! Amazing, simply amazing!
Posted by: Craig Cmehil | May 18, 2007 at 02:17 PM
Thanx Craig. Yes, they are completely amazing. I am so in love.
Posted by: Steve | May 18, 2007 at 02:22 PM