Tiny trio… Big drama!
Our baby girls had a long journey home
My partner Paul, 29, and I were over the moon when, in July last year, we found out I was pregnant. But no-one was more excited than Charlotte, 12, and Lucie, 7, my daughters from a previous relationship.
‘I hope it’s a girl!’ beamed Lucie, who was desperate for another sister.
Then, at the first scan at 4 weeks, the sonographer revealed we were having twins.
Paul’s younger brothers are twins, but he was as shocked as I was by the news.
‘Double trouble!’ he grinned.
But the surprises weren’t over for us yet...
At my 8-week scan, the biggest bombshell of all was dropped…
I wasn’t carrying two babies – I was expecting three!
‘Triplets?!’ I exclaimed in the doctor’s office.
I looked at Paul, who was gobsmacked.
It was hard not to feel scared. I knew multiple pregnancies carried risks, from premature birth to miscarriage.
‘We’ll monitor you closely,’ the doctor said, trying to put my mind at ease.
But, despite the nerves, Paul and I couldn’t wait to meet our little trio.
Before long, I was the size of a house!
At 16 weeks, we were delighted to learn that all three babies were girls.
Then, on 13 November last year, I was out shopping in our local Tesco with Paul when suddenly... Splash!
‘My waters have broken!’ I yelled.
I was only just over 26 weeks…
Paul raced me to James Cook University Hospital.
‘The babies are coming,’ the doctor confirmed.
It was nearly eight weeks early for triplets.
James Cook didn’t have enough incubators, so I was transferred to
Arrowe Park Hospital in Birkenhead, over 160 miles away.
I was taken for surgery, and my babies were born by emergency Caesarean, as is often required for triplet births.
Poppy, Lily and Hollie arrived, each two minutes apart.
But, as quickly as they were born, the girls were whisked away to Intensive Care. The list of health risks was endless – brain bleeds, chronic lung disease, hypothermia…
Our premature girls were tiny, with Poppy and Lily both weighing around 1lb 10oz, and Hollie 2lb 2oz.
When I saw them in Recovery for the first time, I burst into tears. Their skin was paper-thin. ‘I can see right through
them,’ I sobbed to Paul. Heartbreaking. It was hard, too, being so far away from Lucie and Charlotte, who were staying with their dad. Luckily, Paul and I were put up in the Ronald Mcdonald House Charities’ hospital accommodation. The triplets stayed at Arrowe Park for another five weeks, until we learned that three neonatal beds were about to
Poppy, Lily and Hollie arrived, each two minutes apart
become available at James Cook Hospital.
‘We’re going to airlift the babies,’ said the consultant. ‘You’re what?’ I exclaimed. The thought of sending them off in a plane was terrifying. But that wasn’t all – they
had to be airlifted separately. ‘It’s the safest and quickest way,’ the doctor said. So, on 21 December, the charity Lucy Air Ambulance for Children flew Poppy, then Lily to James Cook Hospital. There wouldn’t be a bed for Hollie for a few more days, though, so she was kept behind. I was so worried when I saw the tiny plane, but I was in constant phone contact with the nurse throughout the journey, which was reassuring. Paul, Mum and I drove to meet the girls. And, thankfully, by 23 December, Hollie had joined them.
Being so much closer to home meant Lucie and Charlotte could finally see their new sisters at the hospital on Christmas Day. And they loved them to bits.
In February this year, doctors told me and Paul that we could finally bring the girls home. ‘At last!’ I beamed to Paul. It’s great having them home, but it’s not plain sailing yet. They’re still on oxygen machines, and all three suffer from chronic lung disease – and probably will for the rest of their lives.
They were also born with holes in their hearts. Poppy’s has closed by itself, while Hollie and Lily are awaiting surgery to close theirs.
Our unexpected little ladies are cheeky little cherubs, always up for a cuddle with Mum, Dad or their big sisters.
They’re very aware of each other, always holding hands or rolling into one another.
We think they’re identical, but we can’t be sure yet.
They had a dramatic start, but we’re so grateful to the Ronald Mcdonald House Charities, Lucy Air Ambulance, and everybody else who helped get our gorgeous triplets home.
I’ve no idea what our happy little family would’ve done without them.