Tigger, Puma, and Panther:
The tale of giving birth to triplets
in the family's first pregnancy.
"The first pregnancy being triplets brought many worries.
We did not know what might happen."
The first pregnancy started with anxiety.
Couples who plan to have a child are apt to make advanced preparation and gather information on various aspects, such as fetal development, self-care for a safe and healthy pregnancy, and the symptoms and risks that may occur throughout the nine months of pregnancy, which are not smooth sailings even for a singleton pregnancy. For the family of Thannapas Prasertjing and Akkarachai Sae-Lee, It was even more challenging and unsettling than others because it was a "triplet pregnancy," meaning taking care of the mother and three babies, a total of four lives were at stake at the same time.
"This was our first pregnancy, and we were over the moon because we had tried for two years before succeeding. The doctor advised us to focus on protein intake to ensure the babies' satisfactory weights at delivery. They provided medication and made us feel comfortable and relaxed. There were many things to worry about, and we did not know what might happen."
"It was a mix of many feelings and became more of a worry after I did some research; because it entailed many high risks, and the expenses would be quite substantial. I worried about being a triplet pregnancy because very little information was available online or on social media. Triplets have a higher risk of premature birth, which amplified my stress."
A heart-pounding moment for parents.
The most memorable moment for parents-to-be that will last a lifetime is the day of childbirth.
Since this was the first triplet birth in the history of the MedPark Hospital, the physician team, nurses, and related personnel had to consult and plan meticulously, from the pre-delivery, during delivery, and the postpartum stage, to ensure that every second pass safely and smoothly for both the mother and the little members.
"Before entering the delivery room, I felt excited. Nurses would come in and reassure us, saying that everything would be fine. They would walk in and out, providing comfort."
"I was so overjoyed that tears welled up. It was a feeling indescribable in words. You must have experienced it firsthand to understand. It was the best feeling ever."
The operating room that day was bustling with more doctors and medical professionals than ever. Nurses manned "triplet one," "triplet two," and "triplet three" stations, with a total of 3-4 people at each station, to immediately care for the newborns as soon as they opened their eyes to the world. Then, the parents burst into tears of joy as they heard the soft cries of the first triplet. Within a few seconds, the cries of the second and third members followed. It was tears filled with tender-heartedness and relief after waiting for 34 weeks.
Peace of mind and safety for both mother and babies
Since it was a premature birth, the tiny triplets, Tigger, Puma, and Panther, had to stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) under closed care and monitoring of respiration, blood pressure, vital signs, ensuring warmth, and regulating body temperature of the babies, as well as assisting the mother, especially in assuring an adequate milk supply, which was crucial for the three babies.
"They were in the NICU, but I could go and see them at all times. The NICU staff were so pleasing; they let us in to see and constantly updated us on how the babies were doing and how their conditions and weight were improving, giving us peace of mind. They also helped with breastfeeding. They came and taught us, trying to ensure we have enough milk for the babies."
Behind the scenes activities ensuring flawless childbirths were the teamwork, not only among the hospital team but also with the parents themselves, who had a support team providing advice through group chats, which was the mean used by Dr. Worachai to communicate accurate information and effectively alleviate the patient's anxiety. When the mother was still weak from childbirth and unable to move or get up to see the baby, the nurses would update the conditions and send pictures of the little ones through the group chat to ease the longing.
"We chose Dr. Worachai and MedPark because there would be planning and coordination between the doctor and the hospital. It made us feel at ease. I trusted that the mother and the babies would be safe as well."
"Multiple-birth Pregnancy" carries a higher risk than normal pregnancies.
In the past, conceiving twins was uncommon, but nowadays, we see many families intentionally planning to have twin boys, twin girls, or twins of both sexes. The trend of twin pregnancies is ever-increasing. Two factors contribute to the occurrence of twin pregnancies:
- Family history of previous twin pregnancies.
- Assisted reproductive technologies such as using fertility drugs to stimulate egg release, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and the transfer of multiple embryos.
The advantage of a twin pregnancy is that it allows the mother to have more than one child while going through pregnancy only once. However, reaching the day of delivery without a hitch is not as frequent as one might think. The mother must prepare to face various risks, starting from the early stages of pregnancy, where the chances of miscarriage are higher than usual. Even if the pregnancy progresses without any miscarriage, there is still a risk of preterm labor.
Dr. Worachai Chuenchompoonut, the obstetrician who took care of this triplet case, emphasized the importance of monitoring and managing the potential risks, especially gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia, to prevent premature labor. Therefore, he recommended that Mrs. Thannaphat be housed at the hospital from the 32nd week and undergo a cesarean section at the 34th week of pregnancy.
"When you reach the 28th or 30th week of pregnancy, you may experience water breaking or preterm labor. Another thing on the watch is preeclampsia, as having more than one fetus can raise blood pressure leading to preterm delivery, and gestational diabetes, which is more common in women with triplet pregnancies."
The doctor prescribed medications to help prevent pre-eclampsia and closely monitored Mrs. Thannaphat's weight, advising her to engage in moderate physical activity and not gain excessive weight. Even after delivery, she must be cautious because an overstretched uterus can cause postpartum bleeding. Therefore, typing and cross-matching for blood and medications to help reduce the risk of postpartum hemorrhage should be at hand.
Closed care and addressing every concern.
The most vital aspect of managing this case is close monitoring. Dr. Worachai has introduced an app to check uterine contractions and created a chat group for direct communication among the doctor, the mother, and other friends who have had children. These friends can share their experiences about the different stages of pregnancy, which can help the mother avoid unnecessary worries.
"This chat group allows us to monitor symptoms closely. Another crucial factor is the healthcare team's involvement in the care, not just me.
In addition to me, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist helped perform fetal ultrasound examinations periodically, and a team of pediatricians must be on hand because delivering three babies is not a walk in the park."
The key to a smooth delivery was teamwork among the doctors from the obstetrics-gynecology and neonatology departments, coordinated and prepared in advance for each step of the pregnancy. During Mrs. Thannaphat's admission in preparation for the delivery, the hospital assembled a team to prepare and plan for the care of the pre-term triplets to handle any foreseeable complications and to assuage parental fear and anxiety. The team worked out every step of the pregnancy and delivery in advance to prevent any unexpected complications.
For further consultation regarding pregnancy and delivery,
contact the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic,
7th floor, Counter D (WEST Lift),
at 02-090-3135, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
