1 00:00:05,646 --> 00:00:11,485 Speaker 1: You're listening to a Mother of Me podcast. Hi, it's 2 00:00:11,526 --> 00:00:14,726 Speaker 1: Cassne Lukige here, host of Diary of a Birth, and 3 00:00:14,806 --> 00:00:18,166 Speaker 1: this summer we've curated your delivery room playlist to bring 4 00:00:18,206 --> 00:00:21,846 Speaker 1: you even more unmissable birth stories. This summer, we're bringing 5 00:00:21,886 --> 00:00:24,726 Speaker 1: you our favorite episodes of Diary of a Birth right 6 00:00:24,806 --> 00:00:28,446 Speaker 1: here in your feet. That's your holiday listening sorded. And 7 00:00:28,526 --> 00:00:31,006 Speaker 1: if you're looking for more to listen to, every Mum 8 00:00:31,046 --> 00:00:34,566 Speaker 1: of mea podcast is curating your summer listening right across 9 00:00:34,606 --> 00:00:38,565 Speaker 1: our network. From pop culture to beauty to powerful interviews, 10 00:00:38,726 --> 00:00:41,126 Speaker 1: there's something for everyone. Check out the link in the 11 00:00:41,126 --> 00:00:48,525 Speaker 1: show notes. Hi, I'm Cassenua lukij and this is Diary 12 00:00:48,645 --> 00:00:52,845 Speaker 1: of a Birth. Growing a baby is truly a remarkable thing, 13 00:00:53,326 --> 00:00:57,246 Speaker 1: from the tiny poppy seed to a fully grown baby 14 00:00:57,326 --> 00:01:00,566 Speaker 1: in just nine months. If you've had a pregnancy, you 15 00:01:00,686 --> 00:01:03,686 Speaker 1: know that the reality is that it's often not an 16 00:01:03,686 --> 00:01:07,606 Speaker 1: easy task. But the thought of housing multiples has always 17 00:01:07,646 --> 00:01:12,126 Speaker 1: been absolutely astounding to me. Wanting to grow her family, 18 00:01:12,526 --> 00:01:15,926 Speaker 1: today's mum went for her dating scan with baby number two, 19 00:01:16,166 --> 00:01:19,685 Speaker 1: expecting nothing out of the ordinary, but then the old 20 00:01:19,806 --> 00:01:32,006 Speaker 1: sound tech started counting one, two, three. She was having triplets. 21 00:01:29,246 --> 00:01:31,846 Speaker 2: And then she took a second to be like, and 22 00:01:31,886 --> 00:01:34,246 Speaker 2: there's a third one over here. And at that point 23 00:01:34,326 --> 00:01:37,326 Speaker 2: I was like, my eyes were just so shocked, and 24 00:01:37,686 --> 00:01:39,246 Speaker 2: I was like, please stop counting. 25 00:01:39,686 --> 00:01:42,966 Speaker 1: With a toddler in tow, a demanding career, and a 26 00:01:43,086 --> 00:01:48,406 Speaker 1: two bedroom apartment, things were about to change traumatically, leading 27 00:01:48,446 --> 00:01:52,046 Speaker 1: her to not only deliver three healthy babies, but also 28 00:01:52,126 --> 00:01:56,486 Speaker 1: becoming an advocate for parents of multiples. So let's meet 29 00:01:56,606 --> 00:01:57,326 Speaker 1: today's mum. 30 00:01:57,846 --> 00:02:00,566 Speaker 2: Hi, this is Celia, and this is the diary of 31 00:02:00,606 --> 00:02:07,086 Speaker 2: my birth with triplets. 32 00:02:07,846 --> 00:02:11,686 Speaker 1: So, Cilia, you have a pretty incredible story. You know 33 00:02:11,805 --> 00:02:13,606 Speaker 1: the work that you do now, which we'll talk about 34 00:02:13,606 --> 00:02:17,166 Speaker 1: a little bit later. But you and your husband Jordan, 35 00:02:17,606 --> 00:02:21,446 Speaker 1: had an eighteen month old Bob Mats and decided that 36 00:02:21,486 --> 00:02:24,525 Speaker 1: you wanted to grow your family. So what did that 37 00:02:24,645 --> 00:02:25,726 Speaker 1: kind of look like? 38 00:02:25,846 --> 00:02:28,686 Speaker 2: What year are we talking? Oh, this is post COVID 39 00:02:29,085 --> 00:02:31,766 Speaker 2: or still in the COVID times, about twenty twenty one, 40 00:02:32,006 --> 00:02:37,245 Speaker 2: and we were looking to have another child. We really 41 00:02:37,446 --> 00:02:40,966 Speaker 2: loved Mads and really enjoyed the experience, and we just 42 00:02:41,006 --> 00:02:44,446 Speaker 2: tried too hard. I think we were really looking forward 43 00:02:44,446 --> 00:02:45,766 Speaker 2: to growing our family. 44 00:02:45,965 --> 00:02:47,885 Speaker 1: And did you full pregnant fairly easily. 45 00:02:48,446 --> 00:02:53,085 Speaker 2: I did full pregnant surprisingly quickly. I think I had 46 00:02:53,166 --> 00:02:57,846 Speaker 2: just taken out the IUD birth control and we're going 47 00:02:57,886 --> 00:03:01,446 Speaker 2: to start straight away. And I pretty much got pregnant 48 00:03:01,726 --> 00:03:05,926 Speaker 2: literally the next cycle. So it was really quick and 49 00:03:05,965 --> 00:03:08,245 Speaker 2: sudden and exciting. 50 00:03:08,766 --> 00:03:11,846 Speaker 1: Yeah, but also such a shock. Even when you want 51 00:03:11,886 --> 00:03:14,325 Speaker 1: to if you're like, okay, I've got some time, maybe 52 00:03:14,365 --> 00:03:16,846 Speaker 1: we've got like six months, maybe it's three months, and 53 00:03:16,886 --> 00:03:19,966 Speaker 1: then it happens straight away, there is that element of. 54 00:03:20,286 --> 00:03:24,365 Speaker 2: Shock definitely, especially because with Mad's my first child. We 55 00:03:24,365 --> 00:03:27,686 Speaker 2: weren't really trying. It just happened, So I had no idea, 56 00:03:27,726 --> 00:03:29,726 Speaker 2: You had no metric of how long I'd have to 57 00:03:29,726 --> 00:03:33,085 Speaker 2: wait to have a second child or how long it 58 00:03:33,166 --> 00:03:37,086 Speaker 2: might take, so we're really not thinking about it too much, 59 00:03:37,126 --> 00:03:39,486 Speaker 2: and then it just happened so quickly. Yeah, and it 60 00:03:39,526 --> 00:03:40,286 Speaker 2: was really exciting. 61 00:03:40,366 --> 00:03:42,046 Speaker 1: If you don't mind me asking, how old were you 62 00:03:42,326 --> 00:03:44,806 Speaker 1: when you fell pregnant with the triplets. 63 00:03:44,966 --> 00:03:47,486 Speaker 2: With the triplets, it's twenty six. 64 00:03:47,646 --> 00:03:50,766 Speaker 1: Twenty six, okay, so fairly young. You go to your 65 00:03:50,846 --> 00:03:54,206 Speaker 1: dating scan, and can you tell me about the experience 66 00:03:54,286 --> 00:03:56,046 Speaker 1: of walking in the dating scan. 67 00:03:55,966 --> 00:03:59,806 Speaker 2: With Jordan, it was still COVID time, so there was 68 00:03:59,846 --> 00:04:01,966 Speaker 2: a chance Jordan wouldn't even be able to come to 69 00:04:02,046 --> 00:04:05,325 Speaker 2: that scan for some reason, and we found a place 70 00:04:05,326 --> 00:04:08,766 Speaker 2: where he could come and he did. And I was 71 00:04:08,806 --> 00:04:12,046 Speaker 2: feeling so confident walking into that dating scan because I 72 00:04:12,126 --> 00:04:13,886 Speaker 2: was like, you know when you have a second kid 73 00:04:13,926 --> 00:04:16,926 Speaker 2: and you're like, okay, more confident parent this time around, 74 00:04:17,446 --> 00:04:21,126 Speaker 2: I felt like, really excited to do some things that 75 00:04:21,166 --> 00:04:23,765 Speaker 2: I hadn't done with my first child that I felt like, 76 00:04:24,325 --> 00:04:27,806 Speaker 2: I'm going to do it differently this time. And that 77 00:04:28,046 --> 00:04:30,366 Speaker 2: just fully went out the window when I was in 78 00:04:30,366 --> 00:04:33,405 Speaker 2: this dating scan. So lying down the ult sound and 79 00:04:33,445 --> 00:04:37,846 Speaker 2: the woman who was doing the scan just looked at 80 00:04:37,926 --> 00:04:39,845 Speaker 2: us and you know when it's really quiet and you're like, 81 00:04:39,885 --> 00:04:42,486 Speaker 2: oh my gosh, what's wrong. Yeah, taking a long time, 82 00:04:43,445 --> 00:04:46,446 Speaker 2: and she was just like, how did you get pregnant? 83 00:04:46,526 --> 00:04:49,845 Speaker 2: How did you conceive? And I was like, what do 84 00:04:49,846 --> 00:04:52,486 Speaker 2: you mean? I thought it was a really odd question. 85 00:04:52,606 --> 00:04:56,005 Speaker 2: Was those small talk the usual way or you know? 86 00:04:56,726 --> 00:04:58,606 Speaker 2: She was like okay, because I'll just tell you what 87 00:04:58,646 --> 00:05:00,646 Speaker 2: I can see here and I was like, okay, yeah, 88 00:05:00,686 --> 00:05:03,046 Speaker 2: what can you see And she was like, I've got 89 00:05:03,086 --> 00:05:05,405 Speaker 2: one here, I've got a heartbeat, And I was like great. 90 00:05:06,286 --> 00:05:08,366 Speaker 2: She's like, and I can see a second one over here, 91 00:05:08,885 --> 00:05:11,206 Speaker 2: and at that point we were like, oh my gosh, twins, 92 00:05:11,366 --> 00:05:15,686 Speaker 2: like that's exciting. And then she took a second to 93 00:05:15,726 --> 00:05:17,926 Speaker 2: be like and there's a third one over here, and 94 00:05:18,005 --> 00:05:20,766 Speaker 2: at that point I was like my eyes were just 95 00:05:20,806 --> 00:05:24,565 Speaker 2: so shocked and I was like, please stop counting, Like 96 00:05:24,686 --> 00:05:28,645 Speaker 2: is that like? Because the way she said it was 97 00:05:28,726 --> 00:05:31,966 Speaker 2: like so much drama. And she was like, I'll just 98 00:05:32,046 --> 00:05:34,046 Speaker 2: check there's no more and I was like, yeah, you 99 00:05:34,166 --> 00:05:37,646 Speaker 2: will check, please, We'll chase do what else is in there. 100 00:05:38,126 --> 00:05:41,686 Speaker 2: Jordan was laughing. He was just smiling at me. He 101 00:05:41,846 --> 00:05:44,565 Speaker 2: just thought this is incredible. It's a miracle. And I 102 00:05:44,646 --> 00:05:47,806 Speaker 2: was just like I couldn't process. I was just like 103 00:05:48,646 --> 00:05:51,085 Speaker 2: going to shock. Basically, you're just thinking like what is 104 00:05:51,366 --> 00:05:54,566 Speaker 2: going on. We actually got her to print out the 105 00:05:54,646 --> 00:05:56,926 Speaker 2: ultrasound pictures because I was like I need them. I 106 00:05:56,966 --> 00:05:59,366 Speaker 2: need to be able to see that this is real. 107 00:06:00,286 --> 00:06:03,846 Speaker 2: And we walked out of that and the thoughts that 108 00:06:03,926 --> 00:06:06,205 Speaker 2: go through your head after you find out that information. 109 00:06:06,366 --> 00:06:09,486 Speaker 2: I was just like going through so many logistical thoughts 110 00:06:09,926 --> 00:06:12,286 Speaker 2: like do we need a big car? Do we need 111 00:06:12,325 --> 00:06:14,126 Speaker 2: to move house because we live in a two bedroom 112 00:06:14,166 --> 00:06:18,085 Speaker 2: house in Sydney renting and like what kind of PRAM 113 00:06:18,126 --> 00:06:21,326 Speaker 2: do you have with triplets? And just immediately down this 114 00:06:21,445 --> 00:06:24,926 Speaker 2: like rabbit hole of thoughts and me and Jordan get 115 00:06:24,926 --> 00:06:27,486 Speaker 2: back to our house. I just remember I was like, 116 00:06:27,565 --> 00:06:29,086 Speaker 2: can you just get a piece of paper? We need 117 00:06:29,086 --> 00:06:31,526 Speaker 2: to like work out all the things that we need, 118 00:06:31,526 --> 00:06:34,565 Speaker 2: like very practical, yeahn are you quite type A I 119 00:06:34,565 --> 00:06:38,005 Speaker 2: guess organized about this? I was like, if I can 120 00:06:38,286 --> 00:06:41,526 Speaker 2: work out how this could work, like okay, make some 121 00:06:41,606 --> 00:06:43,525 Speaker 2: decision like we're going to move house or do we 122 00:06:43,565 --> 00:06:45,525 Speaker 2: need a car, and just work those things out, like 123 00:06:45,565 --> 00:06:47,406 Speaker 2: what kind of PRAM would I want? Would we need 124 00:06:47,445 --> 00:06:49,926 Speaker 2: to get? Then I felt like, okay, we can do it. 125 00:06:50,246 --> 00:06:50,486 Speaker 1: Yeah. 126 00:06:50,526 --> 00:06:55,366 Speaker 2: After we had that conversation and I went down like 127 00:06:55,486 --> 00:06:58,846 Speaker 2: rabbit holes of like other mums on Instagram who had 128 00:06:58,885 --> 00:07:01,606 Speaker 2: triplets and how to look at what prams they used 129 00:07:01,686 --> 00:07:04,166 Speaker 2: or what their experience was. And that was like my 130 00:07:04,846 --> 00:07:07,926 Speaker 2: day one level of knowledge of like how I'm going 131 00:07:08,005 --> 00:07:08,846 Speaker 2: to do this. Yeah. 132 00:07:08,966 --> 00:07:13,046 Speaker 1: So, I mean spontaneous triplets is not very common as 133 00:07:13,086 --> 00:07:16,126 Speaker 1: we know. It's an egg that comes down and if 134 00:07:16,126 --> 00:07:18,966 Speaker 1: you're dropping multiple eggs, you get twins if the egg 135 00:07:19,006 --> 00:07:22,326 Speaker 1: splits you get an identical twin, but to have three 136 00:07:23,006 --> 00:07:29,646 Speaker 1: eggs drop, yeah, three eggs fertilized spontaneously is not particularly common. No, 137 00:07:30,166 --> 00:07:32,646 Speaker 1: so what was your family's response. 138 00:07:32,846 --> 00:07:37,086 Speaker 2: Neither side of our family has any multiples, so it 139 00:07:37,246 --> 00:07:40,846 Speaker 2: wasn't on our radar at all. Really did not cross 140 00:07:40,926 --> 00:07:43,126 Speaker 2: my mind that this could be a possibility for me, 141 00:07:43,566 --> 00:07:48,126 Speaker 2: this could happen to me, and my family were just 142 00:07:48,246 --> 00:07:51,766 Speaker 2: equally as shocked and just like, show me the photos 143 00:07:51,806 --> 00:07:54,406 Speaker 2: because I don't believe you, and then yeah, they were 144 00:07:54,486 --> 00:07:58,726 Speaker 2: just trying to match our energy. We were really excited. Obviously, 145 00:07:58,846 --> 00:08:01,846 Speaker 2: you can have mixed feelings, so normal to have mixed 146 00:08:01,846 --> 00:08:05,326 Speaker 2: feelings about finding out that you're having multiples. I'd made 147 00:08:05,326 --> 00:08:07,686 Speaker 2: the decision quite early on. I don't even think it 148 00:08:07,726 --> 00:08:10,646 Speaker 2: was really a decision that I would be going ahead 149 00:08:10,646 --> 00:08:12,286 Speaker 2: with this, and I'm a triplet mum. 150 00:08:12,606 --> 00:08:15,566 Speaker 1: Yeah, I don't think it would be abnormal though for 151 00:08:15,726 --> 00:08:18,766 Speaker 1: someone to think is this something that I can handle? 152 00:08:19,606 --> 00:08:21,566 Speaker 1: And I think that that would be a really normal 153 00:08:21,686 --> 00:08:27,166 Speaker 1: thought to have. But yeah, look, obviously a complete shock, overwhelmed, 154 00:08:27,406 --> 00:08:29,486 Speaker 1: but you took it and you went, you know what, 155 00:08:29,606 --> 00:08:31,446 Speaker 1: these are the cards that we have been dealt, and 156 00:08:31,486 --> 00:08:32,806 Speaker 1: we're going to manage theirs. 157 00:08:33,046 --> 00:08:33,246 Speaker 2: Yep. 158 00:08:33,686 --> 00:08:37,886 Speaker 1: So obviously being a multiple pregnancy, a triple pregnancy, you 159 00:08:37,966 --> 00:08:41,646 Speaker 1: were considered high risk. What was your prenatal care? 160 00:08:41,886 --> 00:08:45,006 Speaker 2: Like, I had a really good GPS that i'd been 161 00:08:45,045 --> 00:08:49,326 Speaker 2: seeing since, like i'd had MADS, so I was really fortunate. 162 00:08:49,326 --> 00:08:51,846 Speaker 2: And I went to see her immediately and I was like, 163 00:08:52,486 --> 00:08:56,086 Speaker 2: have you seen this scan? And she was like, in 164 00:08:56,165 --> 00:08:59,405 Speaker 2: a really thoughtful way, she was like, not everyone can 165 00:08:59,446 --> 00:09:02,246 Speaker 2: handle this sort of what you're saying, and there are 166 00:09:02,285 --> 00:09:05,246 Speaker 2: options if you can't. And I just felt like that 167 00:09:05,405 --> 00:09:08,205 Speaker 2: was a really beautiful way of putting it. But at 168 00:09:08,206 --> 00:09:10,566 Speaker 2: that point, I was nine weeks, you know, from the 169 00:09:10,606 --> 00:09:13,966 Speaker 2: beginning of finding out it already accepted like diet am 170 00:09:14,045 --> 00:09:17,565 Speaker 2: going through with this and obviously selective. I don't know 171 00:09:17,566 --> 00:09:22,646 Speaker 2: what it's called, but you could reduce your pregnancy. Yeah, 172 00:09:22,686 --> 00:09:27,646 Speaker 2: and it's really touchy subject with parents of multiples. Yeah, 173 00:09:27,686 --> 00:09:30,446 Speaker 2: And obviously different doctors can bring it up in a 174 00:09:30,526 --> 00:09:33,526 Speaker 2: really different way, and I really appreciate the way my 175 00:09:33,606 --> 00:09:37,165 Speaker 2: GP brought it up at that point. She was like, great, 176 00:09:37,405 --> 00:09:39,886 Speaker 2: you're gonna go ahead with it, and like, this is 177 00:09:40,006 --> 00:09:42,006 Speaker 2: what we're going to do. You're going to get linked 178 00:09:42,045 --> 00:09:45,046 Speaker 2: up with the hospital as a high risk pregnancy. So 179 00:09:45,126 --> 00:09:50,285 Speaker 2: I was referred to the RPA and started seeing different doctors. 180 00:09:50,446 --> 00:09:53,246 Speaker 2: Basically every time I went to the clinic, I'd get 181 00:09:53,246 --> 00:09:58,406 Speaker 2: a new doctor and just have really long scans that 182 00:09:58,405 --> 00:10:02,326 Speaker 2: would take forever because they have to assess each baby, 183 00:10:02,606 --> 00:10:05,486 Speaker 2: and the part that took the longest was working out 184 00:10:05,486 --> 00:10:09,086 Speaker 2: which one was which. Yeah, making sure that they're scanning 185 00:10:09,126 --> 00:10:10,285 Speaker 2: the right one every time. 186 00:10:10,566 --> 00:10:12,246 Speaker 1: So was it three fraternal? 187 00:10:12,566 --> 00:10:17,846 Speaker 2: Yes, So it's called TCTA. So try choreonic, try amnionic. 188 00:10:18,126 --> 00:10:20,966 Speaker 2: They're each in their own sack. They each had their 189 00:10:21,006 --> 00:10:26,126 Speaker 2: own placenta. They couldn't guarantee that they were for eternal 190 00:10:26,206 --> 00:10:29,246 Speaker 2: from the start, but once they were born, it was 191 00:10:29,326 --> 00:10:31,526 Speaker 2: obvious to me that they were fraternal, at least the 192 00:10:31,526 --> 00:10:32,046 Speaker 2: two boys. 193 00:10:32,446 --> 00:10:35,926 Speaker 1: You must have been starving, Oh, I was so hungry. 194 00:10:36,486 --> 00:10:38,526 Speaker 1: I know that sounds like a crazy question, but I mean, 195 00:10:38,646 --> 00:10:43,406 Speaker 1: growing three babies, that's a huge undertaking. How did you 196 00:10:43,486 --> 00:10:47,086 Speaker 1: feel within your body as you were growing these babies? 197 00:10:47,206 --> 00:10:49,966 Speaker 1: Were you scared for if your body could handle it? 198 00:10:50,405 --> 00:10:53,806 Speaker 2: Absolutely? I think I kept kind of reverting back to 199 00:10:53,846 --> 00:10:58,366 Speaker 2: this match, like my body created these humans and it 200 00:10:58,366 --> 00:11:01,925 Speaker 2: can handle them. But I was really scared. I had 201 00:11:01,966 --> 00:11:05,086 Speaker 2: no idea. I think I just wasn't prepared. No one's 202 00:11:05,126 --> 00:11:09,086 Speaker 2: really to have multiples, and there's so many risks that 203 00:11:09,126 --> 00:11:11,886 Speaker 2: the doctor wants to tell you straight up, like you 204 00:11:12,006 --> 00:11:17,205 Speaker 2: could experience like much higher risk of premature labor of 205 00:11:17,326 --> 00:11:23,726 Speaker 2: birth and different multiple specific risks to babies like restricted growth, 206 00:11:23,806 --> 00:11:27,046 Speaker 2: and if they share a PLAC center, there's other risks. Though. 207 00:11:27,366 --> 00:11:29,685 Speaker 2: They were like, well, because they've each got their own, 208 00:11:30,045 --> 00:11:32,805 Speaker 2: you're having three pregnancies at once, like was the way 209 00:11:32,846 --> 00:11:35,686 Speaker 2: they described it. Because other twins could have a shared 210 00:11:35,726 --> 00:11:38,646 Speaker 2: plus center or a shared sack and they have more risks. 211 00:11:39,126 --> 00:11:41,926 Speaker 2: So he was like, in a good way, you've got 212 00:11:41,966 --> 00:11:44,886 Speaker 2: like the least risky version of a triplet pregnancy, was 213 00:11:44,966 --> 00:11:47,966 Speaker 2: what the doctor told me. I was like, okay, we'll 214 00:11:47,966 --> 00:11:49,045 Speaker 2: take the wins or I can get it. 215 00:11:49,285 --> 00:11:49,766 Speaker 1: Yeah. 216 00:11:49,926 --> 00:11:52,045 Speaker 2: Yeah, I was feeling a lot of things. I had 217 00:11:52,045 --> 00:11:54,966 Speaker 2: a toddler. I was thinking about him. I was thinking 218 00:11:55,006 --> 00:11:57,006 Speaker 2: what that would mean for him. I'm going to be, 219 00:11:57,966 --> 00:12:00,646 Speaker 2: you know, really care about my career a lawyer, you know, 220 00:12:00,766 --> 00:12:04,445 Speaker 2: young lawyer at the time, and I thought, Okay, does 221 00:12:04,486 --> 00:12:07,046 Speaker 2: that mean that's over or how much more time am 222 00:12:07,045 --> 00:12:10,165 Speaker 2: I going to have to take off? Just the pressure 223 00:12:10,165 --> 00:12:13,566 Speaker 2: of like the COVID times as well, and then just 224 00:12:13,646 --> 00:12:17,445 Speaker 2: thinking about the cost, just trying to find other people 225 00:12:17,446 --> 00:12:22,045 Speaker 2: who've experienced a triplet pregnancy and have triplets. I didn't 226 00:12:22,086 --> 00:12:24,926 Speaker 2: know anyone at the time, any one person that I 227 00:12:24,966 --> 00:12:28,326 Speaker 2: reached out to, just trying to work out so many 228 00:12:28,326 --> 00:12:28,966 Speaker 2: things at once. 229 00:12:29,405 --> 00:12:31,925 Speaker 1: Yeah, and I mean Mad's was only eighteen months old, 230 00:12:32,045 --> 00:12:35,966 Speaker 1: so you know, even with a single pregnancy, running after 231 00:12:36,006 --> 00:12:39,726 Speaker 1: a toddler while you're pregnant is exhausting, and being a 232 00:12:39,806 --> 00:12:43,646 Speaker 1: lawyer is a very high demand job. Did you speak 233 00:12:43,686 --> 00:12:46,685 Speaker 1: to your firm about what that would mean? Did you 234 00:12:46,726 --> 00:12:50,326 Speaker 1: talk to them about finishing early? Like how supportive were 235 00:12:50,366 --> 00:12:52,126 Speaker 1: they with you? Oh? 236 00:12:52,165 --> 00:12:56,006 Speaker 2: Really supportive. I was really grateful. One of my managers 237 00:12:56,526 --> 00:13:00,046 Speaker 2: she had twins, they were like grown up, and so 238 00:13:00,126 --> 00:13:06,246 Speaker 2: she was like, welcome to the club, this exclusive club multiples. Yeah. 239 00:13:06,285 --> 00:13:09,886 Speaker 2: So it was such a warm reception to the news. 240 00:13:10,405 --> 00:13:12,686 Speaker 2: And I remember doing it on a team meeting because 241 00:13:12,726 --> 00:13:14,566 Speaker 2: we were all working from home at the time, I think, 242 00:13:15,246 --> 00:13:18,526 Speaker 2: and just been like I've got an announcement like pregnant, 243 00:13:18,806 --> 00:13:22,726 Speaker 2: and team was like, yeah, yeah, that's exciting and not 244 00:13:23,006 --> 00:13:25,086 Speaker 2: like a huge surprise because I had an eighteen month 245 00:13:25,126 --> 00:13:27,246 Speaker 2: old you know. But then I put a photo of 246 00:13:27,285 --> 00:13:30,806 Speaker 2: the ultrasound like shared screen with the ultrasound image, and 247 00:13:30,846 --> 00:13:32,486 Speaker 2: everyone was like, what do you mean. 248 00:13:33,045 --> 00:13:36,685 Speaker 1: It's definitely not something that you hear every day coming up. 249 00:13:37,285 --> 00:13:39,686 Speaker 2: So I just have this moment that was like so 250 00:13:39,766 --> 00:13:42,366 Speaker 2: special where they put all three babies on my chest 251 00:13:42,926 --> 00:13:46,206 Speaker 2: and Jordan's taking this video of me, and I just 252 00:13:46,246 --> 00:13:49,046 Speaker 2: couldn't believe it. I was like, did this really happen? 253 00:13:55,326 --> 00:13:58,126 Speaker 1: So let's talk about towards the end of the pregnancy, 254 00:13:58,686 --> 00:14:04,326 Speaker 1: how are you feeling tired, exhausted and still trying to 255 00:14:05,206 --> 00:14:07,726 Speaker 1: look after Mads and do things. 256 00:14:07,806 --> 00:14:10,565 Speaker 2: And I was just saying the other day, like I 257 00:14:10,566 --> 00:14:12,526 Speaker 2: don't know if this is part of that thing where 258 00:14:12,686 --> 00:14:15,006 Speaker 2: after you give birth there's a hormone that just tries 259 00:14:15,045 --> 00:14:19,726 Speaker 2: to wipe your memory of being pregnant, because I can't 260 00:14:19,726 --> 00:14:22,126 Speaker 2: actually put myself back in that body, but I do 261 00:14:22,206 --> 00:14:24,846 Speaker 2: remember how I was so tired, I was falling asleep 262 00:14:24,926 --> 00:14:28,286 Speaker 2: during the day, how heavy I was, Like I was 263 00:14:28,646 --> 00:14:32,446 Speaker 2: basically full term by twenty weeks pregnant, and people would 264 00:14:32,446 --> 00:14:34,926 Speaker 2: be like, oh, I must be ready to go any date. 265 00:14:35,286 --> 00:14:38,006 Speaker 2: I've got weeks to go, got weeks to go, And 266 00:14:38,086 --> 00:14:44,006 Speaker 2: I'm getting so big, so heavy, and dealing with appointments 267 00:14:44,086 --> 00:14:48,926 Speaker 2: and trying to look after a toddler and work and 268 00:14:49,166 --> 00:14:53,206 Speaker 2: also buy a car and get all these different things. 269 00:14:53,286 --> 00:14:57,086 Speaker 2: And I joined my local multiple birth club, which was 270 00:14:57,286 --> 00:15:00,646 Speaker 2: amazing because got so much support from them, emotional and 271 00:15:00,966 --> 00:15:04,526 Speaker 2: support connection and also just a place where I could 272 00:15:04,606 --> 00:15:08,726 Speaker 2: ask the random niche questions that only a parent of 273 00:15:08,926 --> 00:15:12,246 Speaker 2: you know, triplets would ask and get so many different 274 00:15:12,246 --> 00:15:14,205 Speaker 2: answers and people's suggestions. 275 00:15:14,526 --> 00:15:17,205 Speaker 1: I feel like we're very fortunate in this day and 276 00:15:17,246 --> 00:15:20,326 Speaker 1: age where there are so many of these support group 277 00:15:20,446 --> 00:15:23,406 Speaker 1: there are no matter what you're going through, there is 278 00:15:23,446 --> 00:15:26,046 Speaker 1: probably someone out there that is going through the same thing. 279 00:15:26,166 --> 00:15:29,126 Speaker 1: So to have that kind of support makes you feel 280 00:15:29,126 --> 00:15:33,566 Speaker 1: a lot less alone. Image absolutely without making assumptions, I'm 281 00:15:33,606 --> 00:15:36,046 Speaker 1: assuming you had a cesarean. 282 00:15:36,526 --> 00:15:38,206 Speaker 2: Yes, yeah, I mean I don't know. 283 00:15:38,326 --> 00:15:40,486 Speaker 1: You know, sometimes back in the day, they wouldn't happened. 284 00:15:40,526 --> 00:15:41,246 Speaker 2: It does happen. 285 00:15:41,366 --> 00:15:44,286 Speaker 1: It happened, but obviously for your safety, they would have 286 00:15:44,366 --> 00:15:48,166 Speaker 1: recommended a cesarean for you. When were they hoping to 287 00:15:48,246 --> 00:15:49,526 Speaker 1: have that in place? 288 00:15:50,246 --> 00:15:54,126 Speaker 2: It was a week by week assessment. Actually, it was 289 00:15:54,286 --> 00:15:56,926 Speaker 2: really like I think it's a product of me almost 290 00:15:56,926 --> 00:15:59,646 Speaker 2: seeing a different doctor every time I went to the hospital, 291 00:16:00,326 --> 00:16:03,166 Speaker 2: but essentially it would be like, go to the hospital, 292 00:16:03,286 --> 00:16:07,126 Speaker 2: get measured, do your ultrasound, and see how they're growing. 293 00:16:07,246 --> 00:16:10,326 Speaker 2: And then a doctor would look at that and be like, yep, 294 00:16:10,406 --> 00:16:13,566 Speaker 2: everything's going fine. And honestly just kept progressing in that 295 00:16:13,606 --> 00:16:17,486 Speaker 2: way and there was no reason to rush. When it 296 00:16:17,566 --> 00:16:21,166 Speaker 2: got to about thirty three weeks thirty four weeks, I 297 00:16:21,246 --> 00:16:25,926 Speaker 2: was like, what's going on? Because I am mentally done, 298 00:16:26,086 --> 00:16:29,166 Speaker 2: Like I just can't so heavy, I'm not sleeping, I'm 299 00:16:29,206 --> 00:16:32,406 Speaker 2: so sore, I've got pups. Rush. I was getting close 300 00:16:32,446 --> 00:16:35,446 Speaker 2: to the end of like when I could hold on 301 00:16:35,526 --> 00:16:39,246 Speaker 2: to and it was ideal to keep them in until 302 00:16:39,286 --> 00:16:42,366 Speaker 2: about thirty five weeks, something about like their lungs developing, 303 00:16:42,766 --> 00:16:44,926 Speaker 2: so I was trying to hold on until then. But 304 00:16:45,086 --> 00:16:47,726 Speaker 2: by about thirty four weeks, I was like, please, just 305 00:16:47,966 --> 00:16:49,446 Speaker 2: when am I going to do this? And they were like, oh, 306 00:16:49,486 --> 00:16:51,606 Speaker 2: we actually don't have any spots for another two weeks 307 00:16:51,686 --> 00:16:53,846 Speaker 2: or something, and I was like, no, no, I don't 308 00:16:53,846 --> 00:16:57,326 Speaker 2: think you understand. I need to come out sooner than that. 309 00:16:58,086 --> 00:17:01,166 Speaker 2: So I had to go kind of through an emergency pathway, 310 00:17:01,326 --> 00:17:03,486 Speaker 2: it's what they called it, but it was the same 311 00:17:03,526 --> 00:17:06,166 Speaker 2: as what anyone would experience. I guess it just wasn't 312 00:17:06,246 --> 00:17:09,166 Speaker 2: like a set date for me. It was like coming 313 00:17:09,286 --> 00:17:13,326 Speaker 2: on Friday and then like probably on the weekend, like woh, Monday, 314 00:17:13,366 --> 00:17:16,966 Speaker 2: it will happen. So, yeah, I had an iron infusion 315 00:17:17,286 --> 00:17:18,806 Speaker 2: because they were concerned. 316 00:17:18,446 --> 00:17:20,886 Speaker 1: About are the best thing ever? 317 00:17:21,366 --> 00:17:24,726 Speaker 2: Yeah? And thank god I had that because I lost 318 00:17:24,766 --> 00:17:28,126 Speaker 2: sorts of blood. They were like the infusion, Yeah, So 319 00:17:28,166 --> 00:17:30,846 Speaker 2: I did that first and then got admitted into the 320 00:17:30,886 --> 00:17:34,646 Speaker 2: hospital with Jordan, and at that time still COVID rules, 321 00:17:34,646 --> 00:17:38,446 Speaker 2: so if Jordan had been tested positive with COVID, he 322 00:17:38,446 --> 00:17:40,326 Speaker 2: wouldn't be able to be at the birth. So I 323 00:17:40,366 --> 00:17:42,726 Speaker 2: was so stressed, Like it was a really stressful time 324 00:17:43,646 --> 00:17:47,566 Speaker 2: just in the lead up, being like I'm so done. Also, 325 00:17:47,606 --> 00:17:50,966 Speaker 2: we can't get COVID because like you cannot not be there, 326 00:17:51,446 --> 00:17:54,366 Speaker 2: and they only allowed one support person the birth. Like 327 00:17:54,406 --> 00:17:57,606 Speaker 2: I'm sure that's not the case now, but that just 328 00:17:57,846 --> 00:18:01,486 Speaker 2: inevitably meant that we would be separated. Because I knew 329 00:18:01,486 --> 00:18:04,646 Speaker 2: that the babies would be born prematurely. They were going 330 00:18:04,726 --> 00:18:07,526 Speaker 2: to go to the NICK and I was going to 331 00:18:07,566 --> 00:18:11,726 Speaker 2: go somewhere else. So just like having to come to 332 00:18:11,886 --> 00:18:14,406 Speaker 2: terms with you're not going to have this birth that 333 00:18:14,486 --> 00:18:17,886 Speaker 2: you had when you had one child. It's going to 334 00:18:17,926 --> 00:18:20,406 Speaker 2: be entirely different, and there's lots of things you can't 335 00:18:20,406 --> 00:18:24,606 Speaker 2: control having triplets. So it's just trying to mentally prepare 336 00:18:24,966 --> 00:18:28,406 Speaker 2: for that birth that wasn't going to be anywhere near 337 00:18:28,446 --> 00:18:31,886 Speaker 2: anything I had experienced or anyone else I knew had experienced. 338 00:18:32,566 --> 00:18:35,006 Speaker 2: This is really stressful kind of context and trying to 339 00:18:35,086 --> 00:18:36,006 Speaker 2: keep calmness. 340 00:18:36,166 --> 00:18:39,326 Speaker 1: And yeah, I mean I think that the mental aspect 341 00:18:39,366 --> 00:18:42,526 Speaker 1: of it is incredibly important. And you know, I had 342 00:18:42,566 --> 00:18:46,086 Speaker 1: one of my babies in COVID too, and that anxiety 343 00:18:46,286 --> 00:18:48,646 Speaker 1: of Okay, if I get COVID, I'm giving birth in 344 00:18:48,686 --> 00:18:52,726 Speaker 1: a COVID ward alone. If he gets COVID, he can't come. 345 00:18:53,086 --> 00:18:56,646 Speaker 1: It's a lot of additional thoughts and a lot of 346 00:18:56,686 --> 00:19:00,126 Speaker 1: the stories that we've been telling recently obviously around that time, 347 00:19:00,246 --> 00:19:02,446 Speaker 1: but it was it was this real moment in time 348 00:19:02,486 --> 00:19:06,246 Speaker 1: of this fear, additional fear, not to mention that you're 349 00:19:06,286 --> 00:19:10,166 Speaker 1: also carrying three babies. So the babies are born on 350 00:19:10,206 --> 00:19:13,966 Speaker 1: the twenty first of January. Tell me about when they 351 00:19:14,006 --> 00:19:14,446 Speaker 1: came out. 352 00:19:14,726 --> 00:19:18,606 Speaker 2: Yes, it was an incredible day of anticipation. So me 353 00:19:18,646 --> 00:19:21,046 Speaker 2: and Jordan we actually got our own room, and then 354 00:19:21,406 --> 00:19:23,406 Speaker 2: I felt like the doctors were kind of fighting over 355 00:19:23,446 --> 00:19:26,286 Speaker 2: who could do the birth. This woman doctor was like, 356 00:19:26,806 --> 00:19:28,686 Speaker 2: I think I'm going to do it, and I was like, great, 357 00:19:28,726 --> 00:19:31,286 Speaker 2: you do it, like you know, it's a quite exciting 358 00:19:31,326 --> 00:19:35,526 Speaker 2: thing for a doctor, I think, I assume. And we 359 00:19:35,606 --> 00:19:39,366 Speaker 2: had a chat with the anesthetist and go down to 360 00:19:39,446 --> 00:19:42,686 Speaker 2: the room like I'd had a cesarean before because I 361 00:19:42,686 --> 00:19:45,886 Speaker 2: had mads, And the one request I made to the 362 00:19:45,926 --> 00:19:49,166 Speaker 2: doctor was about not getting them mixed up because I'd 363 00:19:49,166 --> 00:19:52,966 Speaker 2: already named them inside me. So he was like any 364 00:19:52,966 --> 00:19:56,726 Speaker 2: other question. I was like, yes, this one is Eric, 365 00:19:56,846 --> 00:19:58,846 Speaker 2: this one is Teddy, and that one's Ada, and you 366 00:19:58,886 --> 00:20:01,406 Speaker 2: cannot mix them up when you take them out. Obviously 367 00:20:01,446 --> 00:20:03,846 Speaker 2: Ada you know that one. But the boys I had 368 00:20:03,886 --> 00:20:07,126 Speaker 2: already named inside me, just based on their movements. So 369 00:20:07,206 --> 00:20:10,006 Speaker 2: I was really stressed that to him, and he's like, okay, 370 00:20:10,326 --> 00:20:10,726 Speaker 2: got it. 371 00:20:11,166 --> 00:20:14,566 Speaker 1: I love that you could tell who was moving. 372 00:20:15,046 --> 00:20:18,046 Speaker 2: Yeah, I could tell. I could tell. Teddy just had 373 00:20:18,086 --> 00:20:20,526 Speaker 2: this personality of like a little soft Teddy Bear and 374 00:20:20,526 --> 00:20:23,926 Speaker 2: he wouldn't move very much. And Eric was like kicking 375 00:20:23,966 --> 00:20:26,726 Speaker 2: like crazy, like I have these videos of my stomach 376 00:20:26,766 --> 00:20:29,326 Speaker 2: and you'll think, like, if I show you, you'll think 377 00:20:29,366 --> 00:20:31,486 Speaker 2: it's an alien or something, because it just looks like 378 00:20:31,926 --> 00:20:35,446 Speaker 2: limbs poking out of my stomach. That's probably Eric. And 379 00:20:35,486 --> 00:20:38,366 Speaker 2: it's so funny just reflecting on that part now, because 380 00:20:38,406 --> 00:20:41,606 Speaker 2: they could not have each other's names because Teddy's like 381 00:20:41,806 --> 00:20:45,286 Speaker 2: this Teddy bear and Eric is like just this super 382 00:20:45,326 --> 00:20:49,046 Speaker 2: independent just wants to run around and like jump on things, 383 00:20:49,086 --> 00:20:52,806 Speaker 2: and it matches their personality so much, and it was 384 00:20:52,846 --> 00:20:55,926 Speaker 2: something I was so sure about before giving birth. I 385 00:20:55,966 --> 00:20:58,486 Speaker 2: was like, don't mix them up, because that is their names. 386 00:20:59,046 --> 00:21:01,006 Speaker 2: And it was something that we both agreed we needed 387 00:21:01,046 --> 00:21:05,246 Speaker 2: to have sorted because the chaos already of having three. 388 00:21:05,606 --> 00:21:07,926 Speaker 2: We're not like naming them afterwards or something. We're like, 389 00:21:08,006 --> 00:21:11,086 Speaker 2: get it all done. Yeah, make sure they're labeled and 390 00:21:12,166 --> 00:21:15,206 Speaker 2: got the names, and so then I got wheeled into 391 00:21:15,286 --> 00:21:18,086 Speaker 2: the operating room, and obviously Jordan had to step outside 392 00:21:18,126 --> 00:21:20,766 Speaker 2: because they don't let them be there when you have 393 00:21:20,846 --> 00:21:24,366 Speaker 2: the needle, and he found that really stressful because he 394 00:21:24,446 --> 00:21:26,486 Speaker 2: was like so hard not being there with you. But 395 00:21:26,646 --> 00:21:29,846 Speaker 2: once he came back in, they started the operation and 396 00:21:30,006 --> 00:21:33,166 Speaker 2: basically the same as necessarian that I'd had before. There's 397 00:21:33,246 --> 00:21:37,086 Speaker 2: nothing that I hadn't expected, but yeah, the amazement of 398 00:21:37,366 --> 00:21:41,286 Speaker 2: having three come out, and also just the incredible amount 399 00:21:41,326 --> 00:21:43,726 Speaker 2: of people in that room in the operating theater, Like 400 00:21:43,926 --> 00:21:48,446 Speaker 2: never seen so many doctors, nurses, like pediatrician, per child, 401 00:21:48,966 --> 00:21:52,766 Speaker 2: like one standby, Like it was crazy with so many people. 402 00:21:53,366 --> 00:21:57,846 Speaker 2: And they brought out Ada first and like took down 403 00:21:57,886 --> 00:22:01,806 Speaker 2: the sheets so I could see her, and then Teddy 404 00:22:01,926 --> 00:22:04,846 Speaker 2: was next, and then Eric and one of the midwives 405 00:22:04,886 --> 00:22:07,926 Speaker 2: actually brought to my face so I could see her. 406 00:22:08,286 --> 00:22:11,726 Speaker 2: Because I really had the lowest expectations of what could 407 00:22:11,726 --> 00:22:14,926 Speaker 2: happen because they were premature. I was thirty four weeks 408 00:22:14,926 --> 00:22:16,886 Speaker 2: and five days. At that point, you know, they set 409 00:22:16,926 --> 00:22:19,166 Speaker 2: you up. They're like, well, if there's an issue, you know, 410 00:22:19,166 --> 00:22:21,206 Speaker 2: they might just have to be taken away straight away. 411 00:22:21,926 --> 00:22:23,646 Speaker 2: Being able to be next to her, didn't get to 412 00:22:23,686 --> 00:22:26,606 Speaker 2: hold her, but like put our faces together and see 413 00:22:26,686 --> 00:22:28,926 Speaker 2: her face, so the first time was incredible. 414 00:22:29,446 --> 00:22:31,886 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, this makes me want to tear up. 415 00:22:31,926 --> 00:22:34,726 Speaker 2: Its beautiful. Yeah me too. Yeah. 416 00:22:34,926 --> 00:22:36,726 Speaker 1: So obviously they had to spend a few weeks in 417 00:22:36,726 --> 00:22:40,286 Speaker 1: the niqueu to help their lungs develop. I imagine how 418 00:22:40,286 --> 00:22:40,846 Speaker 1: long were. 419 00:22:40,726 --> 00:22:44,526 Speaker 2: They in niku for nineteen days total? That was actually 420 00:22:45,086 --> 00:22:49,966 Speaker 2: really good. Yeah, and for being that premature. After the birth, 421 00:22:50,526 --> 00:22:54,446 Speaker 2: they went into the recovery and didn't get to hold 422 00:22:54,486 --> 00:22:57,086 Speaker 2: them straight away. They were down in the niqu and 423 00:22:57,206 --> 00:23:00,126 Speaker 2: Jordan was with them, who was taking videos of them 424 00:23:00,206 --> 00:23:04,606 Speaker 2: for me being very good, sending them to me good heavey, yeah, heavy, 425 00:23:04,766 --> 00:23:07,726 Speaker 2: very good. Then it took quite some time, like quite 426 00:23:07,766 --> 00:23:10,086 Speaker 2: a few hours for me to actually properly go meet 427 00:23:10,126 --> 00:23:13,166 Speaker 2: them for the first time, felt like forever. It was 428 00:23:13,206 --> 00:23:17,126 Speaker 2: about nine hours I think after the operation because I 429 00:23:17,166 --> 00:23:20,406 Speaker 2: had issues, like with pain. I was in so much pain, 430 00:23:20,526 --> 00:23:23,046 Speaker 2: like a nine out of ten pain. No one was 431 00:23:23,086 --> 00:23:25,246 Speaker 2: there to advocate for me. Jordan's with the baby, so 432 00:23:25,286 --> 00:23:28,326 Speaker 2: I was just like pressing the button hoping someone will come. 433 00:23:29,406 --> 00:23:32,846 Speaker 2: Once I got the pain managed, then me and Jordan 434 00:23:32,886 --> 00:23:35,126 Speaker 2: went down there together and I could They had to 435 00:23:35,166 --> 00:23:37,366 Speaker 2: like wheel your whole bed down to the NICKU. 436 00:23:37,646 --> 00:23:42,926 Speaker 1: Well you're not walking after delivering three god no. 437 00:23:44,086 --> 00:23:47,606 Speaker 2: And they let me have a cuddle with one and 438 00:23:47,646 --> 00:23:50,406 Speaker 2: then they just put the other two on my chest 439 00:23:50,446 --> 00:23:52,806 Speaker 2: as well. So I just have this moment that was 440 00:23:52,886 --> 00:23:56,286 Speaker 2: like so special where they put all three babies on 441 00:23:56,326 --> 00:23:59,766 Speaker 2: my chest and Jordan's taking this video of me and 442 00:24:00,446 --> 00:24:03,086 Speaker 2: I just couldn't believe it. I was like, did this 443 00:24:03,126 --> 00:24:06,286 Speaker 2: really happen? Like I was just feeling so grateful in 444 00:24:06,286 --> 00:24:09,286 Speaker 2: that moment that my body managed to do that, and 445 00:24:09,326 --> 00:24:12,166 Speaker 2: I had these three babies and they were safe, they 446 00:24:12,166 --> 00:24:13,886 Speaker 2: were on my chest and I could feel them for 447 00:24:13,926 --> 00:24:15,126 Speaker 2: the first time properly. 448 00:24:15,526 --> 00:24:17,246 Speaker 1: Did you feel really proud of yourself? 449 00:24:17,526 --> 00:24:20,766 Speaker 2: I did. I was just like, it's one of those moments. 450 00:24:20,806 --> 00:24:22,686 Speaker 2: It just takes you out of this world, Like it 451 00:24:22,846 --> 00:24:27,846 Speaker 2: was really timelessly just a moment for me and for Jordan. Yeah, 452 00:24:27,886 --> 00:24:30,606 Speaker 2: he was just in so much awe of how I 453 00:24:30,646 --> 00:24:34,766 Speaker 2: could do that as well, I think getting the physical 454 00:24:34,846 --> 00:24:38,366 Speaker 2: representation of like, wow, how did you do that? Like 455 00:24:38,406 --> 00:24:41,886 Speaker 2: You've made these three perfect babies, Like it was, yeah. 456 00:24:41,606 --> 00:24:44,886 Speaker 1: It's beautiful. In nineteen days, So did you I imagine 457 00:24:44,886 --> 00:24:46,566 Speaker 1: you were probably in there for about a week. 458 00:24:46,846 --> 00:24:49,846 Speaker 2: Yeah, it was about five days to a week I think, 459 00:24:50,126 --> 00:24:51,566 Speaker 2: and then yeah, they just sent. 460 00:24:51,566 --> 00:24:54,166 Speaker 1: You home and you just came in I imagine every 461 00:24:54,246 --> 00:24:56,606 Speaker 1: day to ye, yeah, do what you need to do. 462 00:24:56,886 --> 00:24:58,926 Speaker 2: Yeah, you've got to. We tried to work out a 463 00:24:58,926 --> 00:25:01,286 Speaker 2: little routine where we would Mads would be with my 464 00:25:01,366 --> 00:25:04,286 Speaker 2: parents and then we would go around the same times 465 00:25:04,326 --> 00:25:08,366 Speaker 2: it would be feeding time. Do a feed. I was 466 00:25:08,566 --> 00:25:12,006 Speaker 2: breastfeeding too at once, not trying to and trying to 467 00:25:12,046 --> 00:25:14,566 Speaker 2: get the help of the lactation consultants to help me 468 00:25:15,246 --> 00:25:17,646 Speaker 2: do two at once so that when I came home 469 00:25:17,686 --> 00:25:20,246 Speaker 2: I could do it by myself. Did you breastfeed for 470 00:25:20,286 --> 00:25:24,965 Speaker 2: long three months or something? That is amazing us mothers 471 00:25:25,366 --> 00:25:29,606 Speaker 2: know how challenging breastfeeding can be. One of my very 472 00:25:29,726 --> 00:25:32,566 Speaker 2: very close friends went through twins and trying to tend 473 00:25:32,566 --> 00:25:35,046 Speaker 2: and breastfeed them was one of the most difficult things 474 00:25:35,046 --> 00:25:38,366 Speaker 2: that she went through, and I really applaud you for that. 475 00:25:38,406 --> 00:25:41,326 Speaker 2: Well done for doing that, and I can imagine how 476 00:25:41,366 --> 00:25:45,126 Speaker 2: exhausted you would have been through that. I know you 477 00:25:45,206 --> 00:25:50,966 Speaker 2: really advocate for support and mental health for multiple parents. 478 00:25:51,326 --> 00:25:52,646 Speaker 2: Can you tell me a little bit about the work 479 00:25:52,686 --> 00:25:55,246 Speaker 2: that you're doing now when the triples. For about six months, 480 00:25:55,286 --> 00:25:58,886 Speaker 2: I started volunteering for the Australian Multiple Birth Association and 481 00:25:58,966 --> 00:26:02,206 Speaker 2: I'm now the chair. It really came from a place 482 00:26:02,246 --> 00:26:05,366 Speaker 2: of feeling so compelled to help other parents in my 483 00:26:05,566 --> 00:26:09,926 Speaker 2: situation and who have multiples feel more supported because I've 484 00:26:09,926 --> 00:26:14,326 Speaker 2: felt so isolated and so in need of support throughout 485 00:26:14,326 --> 00:26:19,046 Speaker 2: the time pregnancy, especially during the first year of having 486 00:26:19,686 --> 00:26:24,406 Speaker 2: premature babies at home and there just was not enough 487 00:26:24,446 --> 00:26:27,846 Speaker 2: support in Australia. There just isn't there's not enough acknowledgment 488 00:26:27,846 --> 00:26:33,046 Speaker 2: from the government that multiples require more support. And so 489 00:26:33,126 --> 00:26:35,406 Speaker 2: since I've started volunteering a lot, doing a lot of 490 00:26:35,406 --> 00:26:40,326 Speaker 2: the advocacy work, we've been asking the government for parental 491 00:26:40,366 --> 00:26:43,446 Speaker 2: lea per baby because we think that if we had 492 00:26:43,446 --> 00:26:45,526 Speaker 2: them one at a time, we would be eligible for 493 00:26:45,606 --> 00:26:48,326 Speaker 2: more parental leave, but because we're so efficient we have 494 00:26:48,406 --> 00:26:52,646 Speaker 2: them all together, they can give us. It's not my 495 00:26:52,726 --> 00:26:56,846 Speaker 2: fault of efficient exactly. We obviously need more financial support 496 00:26:56,966 --> 00:27:00,446 Speaker 2: and support for the organization so that we're able to 497 00:27:00,486 --> 00:27:05,486 Speaker 2: support parents better and provide more hands on in community 498 00:27:05,566 --> 00:27:08,846 Speaker 2: support as well. You're five times more likely to experience 499 00:27:08,886 --> 00:27:12,446 Speaker 2: postnatal depression if you've had multiples, and that's a real 500 00:27:12,486 --> 00:27:15,766 Speaker 2: concern for us. We know that so many parents say 501 00:27:15,966 --> 00:27:18,606 Speaker 2: if they had more domestic or hands on support or 502 00:27:18,606 --> 00:27:22,046 Speaker 2: more of a community, that would have helped with their 503 00:27:22,046 --> 00:27:24,566 Speaker 2: mental health, and we want to be able to provide 504 00:27:24,566 --> 00:27:25,046 Speaker 2: that to them. 505 00:27:25,326 --> 00:27:28,726 Speaker 1: Yeah, kids are expensive, we know they're expensive. You know 506 00:27:28,766 --> 00:27:32,166 Speaker 1: a box of nappis is thirty five forty bucks you're 507 00:27:32,206 --> 00:27:36,046 Speaker 1: going through that multiple times. I mean lower income families, 508 00:27:36,286 --> 00:27:39,046 Speaker 1: rural areas. You know, is there a lot of work 509 00:27:39,046 --> 00:27:42,286 Speaker 1: that you do with that part of the community as well. 510 00:27:42,886 --> 00:27:45,806 Speaker 2: Yeah, we've got local clubs all over Australia in every 511 00:27:45,846 --> 00:27:48,766 Speaker 2: state and territory. And what parents are saying is, yeah, 512 00:27:48,806 --> 00:27:51,486 Speaker 2: they're struggling with childcare, they're struggling with the cost of living. 513 00:27:51,846 --> 00:27:54,166 Speaker 2: There's no additional relief for a parent of multiples. You 514 00:27:54,206 --> 00:27:57,326 Speaker 2: don't get anything. I've felt like I was basically treated 515 00:27:57,366 --> 00:28:00,526 Speaker 2: as if I had one child going through the system, 516 00:28:01,006 --> 00:28:03,606 Speaker 2: and that's a really hard hit to take and a 517 00:28:03,606 --> 00:28:06,166 Speaker 2: lot of families just can't do that. Good friend of 518 00:28:06,166 --> 00:28:08,926 Speaker 2: mine who's got quadruplets, you know, she had to set 519 00:28:08,966 --> 00:28:11,086 Speaker 2: up a GoFundMe page so that she could be able 520 00:28:11,126 --> 00:28:14,126 Speaker 2: to afford extensions to her house. And this is what 521 00:28:14,166 --> 00:28:16,725 Speaker 2: you have to resort to when you have more than 522 00:28:16,766 --> 00:28:21,046 Speaker 2: you've expected and there's just no support for that. 523 00:28:21,526 --> 00:28:24,206 Speaker 1: It's three times of everything. I mean a car, say 524 00:28:24,206 --> 00:28:27,406 Speaker 1: it's six hundred bucks, a pram is three hundred, one 525 00:28:27,446 --> 00:28:29,526 Speaker 1: thousand dollars, and it's like, oh, we'll just get your 526 00:28:29,526 --> 00:28:32,966 Speaker 1: family to help. But like there's only ever body has 527 00:28:33,046 --> 00:28:36,326 Speaker 1: family not everybody has family support, and then you're looking 528 00:28:36,366 --> 00:28:39,686 Speaker 1: at childcare for two hundred dollars a day, and then 529 00:28:39,726 --> 00:28:41,766 Speaker 1: you get a little bit of a rebate, but then 530 00:28:42,006 --> 00:28:45,886 Speaker 1: who's working, who's not working? Like it's a huge issue. 531 00:28:46,366 --> 00:28:48,046 Speaker 1: So thank you for the work that you're doing, and 532 00:28:48,406 --> 00:28:50,726 Speaker 1: I really hope that we can sort of try and 533 00:28:51,046 --> 00:28:56,686 Speaker 1: relieve some pressure from mums of multiples. And congratulations on 534 00:28:56,726 --> 00:28:58,126 Speaker 1: your babies. How old are they now? 535 00:28:58,406 --> 00:28:59,726 Speaker 2: They're three? Three? 536 00:28:59,886 --> 00:29:01,406 Speaker 1: Are they driving you insane? 537 00:29:02,046 --> 00:29:05,086 Speaker 2: No? I love it. No, they're really funny. Actually they're 538 00:29:05,166 --> 00:29:07,846 Speaker 2: just I feel like I'm writing a childcare They don't 539 00:29:07,846 --> 00:29:10,046 Speaker 2: have their own language. I mean that can be common 540 00:29:10,046 --> 00:29:13,246 Speaker 2: with multiples. But they play their own games together now, 541 00:29:13,326 --> 00:29:15,806 Speaker 2: like they're really to mengine it of play, and like 542 00:29:15,846 --> 00:29:18,126 Speaker 2: they just without speaking to each other. They don't have 543 00:29:18,166 --> 00:29:21,006 Speaker 2: a conversation. They just start doing things like I'll pretend 544 00:29:21,046 --> 00:29:23,166 Speaker 2: to be a dog and you can walk around like 545 00:29:23,206 --> 00:29:25,566 Speaker 2: I'm a dog. And they haven't even had a conversation. 546 00:29:25,726 --> 00:29:29,166 Speaker 2: Like it's so interesting to watch them. They're fascinating. It's 547 00:29:29,206 --> 00:29:29,806 Speaker 2: so much fun. 548 00:29:29,886 --> 00:29:32,646 Speaker 1: At least they're entertaining each other. Yeah, you know exact 549 00:29:32,646 --> 00:29:35,646 Speaker 1: that they've got buddies for life and I'm sure Mads 550 00:29:35,686 --> 00:29:36,966 Speaker 1: isn't too left out either. 551 00:29:37,246 --> 00:29:39,606 Speaker 2: He's their leader. He's like, this is what we're doing now. 552 00:29:39,686 --> 00:29:41,766 Speaker 2: He loves it. He loves it. Yeah, he's great. 553 00:29:41,886 --> 00:29:44,006 Speaker 1: Well, thank you so much for your time today and 554 00:29:44,286 --> 00:29:45,206 Speaker 1: sharing your story. 555 00:29:45,406 --> 00:29:45,846 Speaker 2: Thank you. 556 00:29:53,966 --> 00:29:57,846 Speaker 1: Celia's story is astounding to me. But I wanted to 557 00:29:57,926 --> 00:30:02,606 Speaker 1: know how common are spontaneous triplets. For this, we turn 558 00:30:02,686 --> 00:30:05,326 Speaker 1: to obstetrician and gynecologist doctor Bronwinder. 559 00:30:06,046 --> 00:30:08,886 Speaker 3: Well, it's not common at all, but we're seeing more 560 00:30:08,926 --> 00:30:14,486 Speaker 3: spontaneous triplets now because fertility clinics are very, very reluctant 561 00:30:14,486 --> 00:30:18,406 Speaker 3: to put back multiple embryos and very careful when they're 562 00:30:18,406 --> 00:30:23,286 Speaker 3: doing ovulation induction cycles to avoid people having multiple pregnancy. 563 00:30:23,446 --> 00:30:27,966 Speaker 3: So we're seeing more spontaneous multiples coming through than we 564 00:30:28,166 --> 00:30:30,886 Speaker 3: used to see in the days when fertility clinics were 565 00:30:30,886 --> 00:30:34,166 Speaker 3: a little bit more likely to put back multiple embryos 566 00:30:34,206 --> 00:30:38,446 Speaker 3: in IVF cycles. But certainly, the incidence of spontaneous triplets 567 00:30:38,446 --> 00:30:41,206 Speaker 3: in Australia is sort of between about one in six 568 00:30:41,206 --> 00:30:43,966 Speaker 3: and a half thousand and one in seven thousand, so 569 00:30:44,286 --> 00:30:46,806 Speaker 3: not super common, but you do see them coming through 570 00:30:46,886 --> 00:30:49,566 Speaker 3: and it is always shocking when you go via dating 571 00:30:49,606 --> 00:30:55,606 Speaker 3: scan and the sonographer becomes very quiet, and suddenly you're 572 00:30:55,606 --> 00:30:57,726 Speaker 3: looking at the screen and you can see three sacks 573 00:30:57,806 --> 00:31:00,526 Speaker 3: up there and hopefully three heartbeats up there. 574 00:31:00,766 --> 00:31:05,406 Speaker 1: And as an experienced OPI what's it like delivering multiples? 575 00:31:05,926 --> 00:31:09,646 Speaker 3: So I've delivered triplets. I've actually delivered some triplets vaginally 576 00:31:09,806 --> 00:31:12,286 Speaker 3: back in the day, but that was a lady who 577 00:31:12,566 --> 00:31:15,966 Speaker 3: came into pre term labor and was in cracking labor 578 00:31:16,006 --> 00:31:18,566 Speaker 3: and sort of went on and delivered quite quickly. But 579 00:31:18,806 --> 00:31:22,606 Speaker 3: usually we try to deliver higher auto multiple pregnancies vices 580 00:31:22,726 --> 00:31:25,526 Speaker 3: or in section, and so I've been involved with some 581 00:31:25,566 --> 00:31:28,686 Speaker 3: triplet burths. We had a set of quadruplets at one 582 00:31:28,726 --> 00:31:30,966 Speaker 3: of the public hospitals that I work at, I think 583 00:31:31,006 --> 00:31:33,806 Speaker 3: it was last year, and oh, you could not get 584 00:31:33,806 --> 00:31:36,206 Speaker 3: a seat at that table. I might have even been 585 00:31:36,206 --> 00:31:39,286 Speaker 3: on call for the day for the delivery suite, but 586 00:31:39,606 --> 00:31:42,206 Speaker 3: there were many other obstetricians who put their hand up 587 00:31:42,246 --> 00:31:44,926 Speaker 3: before me to be present for the caesar. You know, 588 00:31:45,006 --> 00:31:47,006 Speaker 3: that might be a once in a lifetime or twice 589 00:31:47,046 --> 00:31:50,366 Speaker 3: in a lifetime thing as an obstetrician to seek quadruplets 590 00:31:50,406 --> 00:31:53,446 Speaker 3: being delivered. So yes, but there was a cast of 591 00:31:53,486 --> 00:31:56,126 Speaker 3: thousands because you've got to have a pediatrician present for 592 00:31:56,246 --> 00:32:00,846 Speaker 3: all the baby, so four pediatricians and four pediatric intensive 593 00:32:00,846 --> 00:32:05,726 Speaker 3: care nurses or neonatal intensive care nurses present and umber 594 00:32:05,726 --> 00:32:09,606 Speaker 3: of anistists, the surgical team and the theater team, so 595 00:32:09,686 --> 00:32:11,526 Speaker 3: there's lots and lots of people in the theater. 596 00:32:15,326 --> 00:32:18,046 Speaker 1: Diary of a Birth was hosted by me Cassania Lukitch 597 00:32:18,166 --> 00:32:22,206 Speaker 1: with expert input from doctor Broman Divine and while we 598 00:32:22,286 --> 00:32:24,806 Speaker 1: have you here, We're on the hunt to share powerful 599 00:32:25,086 --> 00:32:29,606 Speaker 1: underrepresented stories from people of all cultures, backgrounds and abilities, 600 00:32:30,086 --> 00:32:33,966 Speaker 1: so please get in touch. This episode was produced by 601 00:32:34,086 --> 00:32:38,686 Speaker 1: Tina Mattalov and myself Cassenya Lukitch, with audio production by 602 00:32:38,846 --> 00:32:39,646 Speaker 1: Leah Porges. 603 00:32:46,726 --> 00:32:49,846 Speaker 2: Mamma Mia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land. 604 00:32:49,926 --> 00:32:53,286 Speaker 1: We have recorded this podcast on the Gadigul people of 605 00:32:53,366 --> 00:32:56,846 Speaker 1: the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their elders 606 00:32:56,926 --> 00:33:00,806 Speaker 1: past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal 607 00:33:00,846 --> 00:33:02,526 Speaker 1: and torres Rate Islander cultures.