Thanks so much for al the advice. We are in the throes of trying to figure out how we'll manage, known about them now for just over a week and feels like several months! I have one ds who is 2.5. He's had me exclusively since he was born, so I was a bit worried about a no.2 putting his nose out of joint (I am the eldest and still have not got over that experience!!!). I'd figured a few ways to spend time with him once I had the baby, but now it is 3 babies, I am as worried about him as I am about me. Is it possible for him to help me out with babies at tender age of 3?
So far, we are going to get an au pair from beginning of September (when I'll be about 27 weeks), to help out with our son so I can get rest etc. We are also TRYING to move as we are in a 3 bed place at the moment, so it will be VERY tight with 4 kids and an au pair. I was going to put babies in our room. I'm not sure where we would put a night nanny...Hopefully we will get some help from social services too. Just to compound things, I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Last time I was very well in pregnancy and afterwards for about 6 months, so I hope it will be the same this time. Long term, we will find ways to cope, I'm sure.
Trying to finish doing our house up, sell it and buy in the next 20 weeks is a bit daunting! I am happy as long as we manage to sell ours before it gets cluttered with 'stuff', 'people' and 'babies'. Moving with newborn triplets won't be easy, but I can't see how we are going to get everything done in time. I'm a fairly relaxed person as a rule, so I'm not panicking TOO much! But am also aware for need to plan and prepare while I am feeling up to it.
Is the electric pump better than the hand pump? What's a good one? I have an Avent hand pump. I really would like to breastfeed babies (tho' I'm sure they'll need some formula too). I had WAY too much milk last time with ds and was in a lot of pain most of the time, up a lot in the night due to 'exploding boobs' etc., so hopefully this time there will be somewhere for it all to go! Ds was a hugely fat baby just on breastmilk! Not sure how we'll manage if they have to stay in hospital without me, but will definitely be hoping to find a way round it, expressing etc. Did yours breast and bottle feed with no problems or did you express and have all bottles?
Anyway, I am excited as well as petrified. It feels very special to be having 3. People's reactions already are quite a sight!
Thanks for your long answer, it's reassuring to read that people stay calm and collected even as a mother of 5!
By the way, were your triplets identical/ fraternal? What did you have?