MEET THE TRIPLETS PART OF A MULTIPLE BIRTH BABY BOOM!
These nine beautiful bubs are part of the 2024 multiple-birth baby boom at the Neonatal Critical Care Unit at Mater Mothers’ Hospital in South Brisbane.
The three sets of triplets were among a record batch of seven triplets cared for in the NCCU in 2024, along with 98 sets of twins.
Mater Director of Neonatology, Dr Pita Birch, said all of the new arrivals received 24/7 care in the specialist unit, which is the busiest of its kind in Australia.
“Multiple births can present challenges for our medical team, but we’ve been delighted to care for so many triplets and twins this year,” Dr Birch said.
Last year, Mater cared for 95 sets of twins and just four sets of triplets. The NCCU’s busiest month for multiple births this year was April when no less than four sets of triplets were cared for in the unit.
March saw 20 sets of twins admitted to the unit, which cares for around 1800 sick and premature babies each year from across Queensland and northern NSW.
Ipswich triplets Sophia, Aubrey and Stirling Lyell spent 11 days in the NICU after they were born on April 4 at 32 weeks and four days’ gestation.
Sophia was born at 10.49 am weighing 1.9kg, followed five minutes later by 1.7kg Aubrey and then Stirling, who was born two minutes later weighing 1.6kg.
Mum Chantelle Lyell said raising triplets was sometimes tough, but always rewarding.
“We are so thankful to have three beautiful, healthy babies who constantly keep us on our toes but also know how to put smiles on our faces," she said.
“We are so lucky to be in the exclusive triplet club! We would be lost without them.”
Mum Carly Goya, from Wynnum, said her naturally conceived triplets – August, Owen and Edie – were born on 2 April at 35 weeks and four days gestation.
“I was carrying around 9kg of baby when they arrived!” Mrs Goya said.
“Our smallest bub, Owen, weighs around 12kg now, and thankfully, all our babies are doing so well.”
