Christmas miracle: Premature triplets home after six weeks in care

The hardest thing Emma Lowe has ever had to do was leave hospital without her triplets. But in a Christmas miracle all three have been given the all clear.

Triplets Josie, Henry and Joyce. Pic: Annette Dew

The hardest thing that Emma Lowe has ever had to do was leave hospital without her newborn triplets.

But in a Christmas miracle all three of her precious babies have been given the all clear to be home for their first festive family gathering.

And there is no one happier than their big brother Flynn, who is 19 months.

Henry, Joyce and Josie were born six weeks early on November 9. Mum spent seven weeks on bed rest at Mater Mothers’ Private Hospital to help her babies safely grow until doctors decided the time was right for a planned cesarean section birth.

Emma Lowe and her babies not long after being born.

“It was a very long pregnancy and hard to manage towards the end. The doctors suggested I was cared for in hospital to give me a break, otherwise I would have had the babies earlier,” she said.

“To have them home for Christmas is so special. I am excited for our big family future that we weren’t expecting,” Mrs Lowe said.

The babies required round the clock care in the Special Care Nursery.

Mum and dad Joshua found out they were expecting triplets six weeks into the pregnancy.

“I was very shocked,” the 36-year-old mum said.

All of the tots have been putting on weight and learning how to feed.

“Josie and Joyce needed help to breathe in the first five minutes of being born and I am feeling really lucky that the three of them are here with us, all together,” Mrs Lowe said.

“I remember holding them for the first time when they wheeled me up from theatre and when the nurses put them in my arms, that was really special. I cried, I cried a lot.

Emma Lowe with her triplets Josie, Henry and Joyce and big brother Flynn 19 months. Pic Annette Dew

“I have done a lot of crying over the last few weeks. It’s been an overwhelming experience. Having to go home without them and being separated from them for weeks was really hard, but here we are all together again,” she said.

Mater Director of Neonatology Pita Birch said Henry, Joyce and Josie were one of five sets of triplets cared for in the Special Care Nursery in 2023.

“To see the triplets go home in time for Christmas is no doubt special for Emma, Joshua and big brother Flynn,” Dr Birch said.

“The triplets have made great progress during their time in hospital thanks to the efforts of a

multidisciplinary clinical team.”

Triplets Josie, Henry and Joyce. Pic Annette Dew