AS they gaze at their identical triplets in adorable matching outfits, Tanya and Kris Hall cannot believe these little miracles are here today.
At 19 weeks, the couple were told there was a problem and they may have to make the devastating decision to terminate one of the babies.
The triplets were diagnosed with life-threatening stage three twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), where uneven blood flow between the babies causes one of them to get more nutrients than the others.
At stage three, there are signs that one baby’s heart is already under stress.
This can have tragic results, as one baby can get too big and suffer heart failure, while the other two may become dangerously underdeveloped.
The devastating diagnosis meant Tanya needed to immediately undergo surgery while the babies were still in her womb.
Thankfully, the operation was a success and she gave birth to three healthy boys on April 26 this year.
Tanya says: “To know we could have lost our boys has left us over the moon to have Rupert, Austin and Ethan home with us.”
When Tanya, 30, and her husband Kris, 41, from Hessle, Yorkshire, found out they were expecting, they had no idea of the emotional rollercoaster ride ahead of them.
Tanya says: “To discover we were expecting was amazing, as it was our dream to have a family.
‘OPERATION WAS TERRIFYING’
“After a minor scare, we went into the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit at Hull and East Yorkshire Women and Children’s Hospital when I was six weeks pregnant.
“They did the ultrasound and discovered not just one heartbeat, but three.
“Kris and I were relieved and ecstatic, firstly to know everything was all right, but secondly because we found out it was identical triplets.”
But the couple’s joy soon turned to terror during a routine scan.
Research and development worker Tanya says: “At 19 weeks, it all went wrong when I was diagnosed with TTTS. To hear there was something so badly wrong with my babies was devastating.
“Doctors suggested I underwent laser ablation surgery, which is performed on the babies while they are in the womb and can correct the blood-sharing imbalance.
The procedure involves finding every blood vessel connecting the babies and closing them to prevent the flow of blood from one baby to the other and the possible risk of transfusion. It sounded so alien to us, we were in shock.”
“Due to one of the babies getting more blood than the others, there was a possibility we would have to let one of the smaller babies go for the sake of the other two. The ultimate horror.
“There was more terrible news, as the doctors told me I was at high risk of an early labour because my cervix had shortened.
“Doctors said that if the boys were to be born at 19 weeks, it would be disastrous as they were unlikely to survive.
“And it would be classed as a miscarriage as they would be delivered before 24 weeks gestation.
“I was heartbroken, but had to go straight in for surgery. The op was so frightening, but the medics were pleased. Then we had the long wait to see if I went into early labour.
‘I WAS HEARTBROKEN’
“From 23 to 24 weeks, premature babies are potentially viable with over half surviving, so I was desperate to at least hit that milestone to give my boys a fighting chance.”
Tanya was put on bed rest in hospital from 24 weeks. She says: “Doctors initially advised I should give birth at 28 weeks but I felt like they needed a bit longer.
“I was worried about any preterm complications and somehow miraculously managed to hold off the labour until 31 weeks.”
The tiny triplets were born at Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre, Burnley, with Austin weighing 4lb, Ethan 2lb 9oz and Rupert 2lb 11oz.
Tanya says: “Austin was born first and hearing him cry was such an amazing moment.
“To deliver all three and be told the boys were doing well was a massive relief. They were born at night and were whisked straight off to the NICU (newborn intensive care unit) and put on breathing supports.
“I only got to meet them properly the next morning and it was very daunting seeing my three tiny babies with tubes covering them.
“The first cuddle with each baby was so emotional — they were so precious and fragile-looking.”
‘LUCKIEST MUM IN THE WORLD’
Six weeks after the boys’ arrival, they were allowed to go home with their excited parents, and have been settling in.
Tanya says: “I’m so glad they didn’t need to come home from the hospital with any equipment as they’re doing so well on their own. Our little miracles are now nine weeks old.
I look at them and feel I’m the luckiest mum in the world. I love dressing them in matching clothes. My favourite outfit is the adorable bow tie and waistcoat onesies I got each of them. They look so cute.
“The outreach nurse has been frequently checking on the babies and she’s actually really surprised to see how well they’re doing.
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
“She said she’s never seen anything like it. It is great news to know our boys are doing OK.
“They have all doubled their weight and while it has been hard work having three babies at once, it’s a lot easier than I expected.”
Kris, also a research and development worker says: “Having the boys home makes it feel like a weight has been lifted off our shoulders. They are finally safely with us.”
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