Triple trouble! Parents welcome the first set of 2016 St Helier triplets
The first set of triplets born at St Helier Hospital in 2016 have been discharged home in full health, just two weeks after they were born.
Alistair, Frederick and Finlay Campbell were born more than two weeks earlier than planned on Monday 24 January to first-time parents Emanuela and Finlay. The boys were all safely delivered by caesarean section, and after some time in an incubator to help them regulate their own body temperature and a little bit of help at the start with breathing, the new family left hospital on Tuesday 9 February.
Speaking as they prepared to be discharged, new dad Finlay (senior) said: “We have been looked after really well, but we are really pleased to be going home. The boys are already showing their own personalities, and it’s just a really exciting time.
“We are incredibly grateful to all of the staff here – everyone went above and beyond for us throughout the two weeks we’ve been here. And even though we came in during the early hours of the morning, we were surrounded by consultants, doctors and nurses. We arrived at hospital at 1am and by 2.20am all three boys had been delivered – we couldn’t afford to waste a moment.
“It was quite a scary time, but we knew we were being well looked after.”
Figures show that Emanuela and Finlay’s special delivery is unusual, with just one set of triplets born at Epsom and St Helier and 200 sets born nationally within an average year.
Emanuela said: “We were quite nervous when told we were expecting triplets, but since then we’ve spent a lot of time preparing and learning, and we feel like we are as ready as we’ll ever be. We’re lucky that we have a lot of support around us, so we’re really looking forward to everything.”
Catherine Swanson, Matron for the Neonatal Unit, said: “We were absolutely delighted to welcome Alistair, Frederick and Finlay to the world. It’s been an honour to care for the family, and watch as the boys have grown and got stronger in the past two weeks.
“Caring for triplets can be a complex matter, but our staff will always do their utmost to make sure babies are given the safest start in life.”
Finlay added: “We have to upgrade the house, the car and the buggy, be we are really excited.”
