Anchoring for 4
WESH (Orlando) anchor Martha Sugalski will be off the news soon to deliver triplets. She plans to enter the hospital a week from Monday, and the babies watch will begin.
She describes it as a blessed time. It has been hectic, too. She has continued to work at all hours, and she has written a blog about her experiences.
"This blog has been extremely popular," WESH General Manager Jim Carter said. "It is possible she'll be working one night, and she’ll deliver babies the next day. Martha’s a bit of a fighter. She likes to work."
The Orlando Sentinel sat down with Sugalski to see what it is like anchoring for 4:
Q. Has it been easier than you expected?
A: It is hard to believe that eight months have flown by! We are heading to the finish line! I think that it has been easier than I had expected. My husband and I have wanted these babies for so long that it has made me mentally stronger. We have been through the tough times, especially with a miscarriage. This pregnancy, I have been so happy, and every day I wake up and feel them move, I feel so blessed. So I can't see my feet. I am a bit slower, yet I know this is all temporary. Physically I was ready. I am a Crossfitter and a runner so I was in shape to carry these triplets!
Q: Is the plan still to work as long as you can?
A: Yes, that is the plan! The station has been so great, making sure I have been OK, extremely supportive. The other night we didn't go on till after 1 a.m. due to the Stanley Cup Finals and the game went into three overtimes. My executive producer made sure I was OK and said, 'I want you to go home if you need to.' I said I was staying! I am glad the game didn't go into four OTs. But the breaking news is that we are checking into the hospital a week from Monday, and babies watch begins! I will be working up until then!
Q: Have there been difficult moments on the air?
A: The difficult times have been random nosebleeds, constant nausea and now the babies really move. We can see feet and heads! [Anchor] Jim [Payne] felt a baby move last week during a commercial break and said his hand was bruised since the baby kicked so hard! Every time I move funny my director, Holly, will get in my ear and say are you OK? My co-workers have been so supportive and I feel they have looked out for me and the bumps during this time. (My trick for the past eight months has been to anchor with a mint in my mouth all the time. It has kept me from using the garbage can many a night!)
Q: Will you continue with the blog after the babies arrive?
A: I have never blogged before, and the response to the baby blog was so positive and kind that I think I might. People seem to really be pulling for us and the babies. Out in public people come up and ask, 'How is Baby C? Is she better? We are praying for you!' It's overwhelming! I am so thankful that people care and are pulling for us! Viewers have sent the babies some adorable hats and vests and sweaters and shoes -- all handmade with the sweetest notes. It is all very special.
Q: Do you hope to say something to viewers before you take a break?
A: Next week will be it for a few months. I could go at any time. Yet the plan is for us to check in the following week where they can monitor the babies. It will be day to day! I don't know if I will get a chance to officially sign off, yet I am sure they will know when the babies arrive!
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