Miracle triplets a special surprise for NSW family this Mother’s Day

Triplets Lilliana, Robert and Primrose made an early entrance into the world at just 33 weeks old, and while their first Mother’s Day will be spent in the NICU, their mum Brooke Holcroft says there is no greater gift.

They are the tiny miracles who’ve made Mother’s Day extra meaningful this year, turning Brooke Holcroft from a mum-of-two to a mum-of-five just in time for the special day.

After experiencing a miscarriage last year, Mrs Holcroft and her husband Max began trying for another baby — hoping for a little sister for their children Henry and Freddie.

Instead, they were blessed with the news they were having not one, but three babies – and two of them were girls.

Lilliana, Robert and Primrose made an early entrance into the world on April 24 at 33 weeks, after doctors at Mater Mothers’ Hospital identified problems in Primrose’s umbilical cord flow and Mrs Holcroft developed pre-eclampsia.

“They are our rainbow babies, and we are so grateful they are here, even if it was much earlier than expected,” Ms Holcroft said.

Little Lilliana, Robert and Primrose Holcroft were a ‘sweet surprise’ for mum Brooke Holcroft. Picture: Josh Woning

The triplets were born via an emergency caesarean, with Lilliana arriving first at 8.02am and weighing 2kg, followed by Robert at 8.05am, weighing 2.3kg.

The youngest of the siblings, Primrose, was born one minute later, weighing a tiny 1kg.

Following their early birth, Mrs Holcroft had to relocate more than 110km from her home in NSW’s Tweed Shire to be closer to her newborns in Brisbane while they received around-the-clock care.

Brooke and Max Holcroft with the triplets and their siblings Henry and Freddie.

Primrose was the smallest of the three babies.

While this Mother’s Day will be hard, having to split her time between her older boys and the triplets, Mrs Holcroft said a healthy family made it all worth it.

“It’s going to be an emotional day, but I am so grateful the little ones are here safe and healthy.

“I will have breakfast with Henry and Freddie and spend the afternoon with the triplets.

“Mater saved my little babies and that is one of the best Mother’s Day gifts I could have asked for.”.

Lilliana, Robert and Primrose Holcroft. Picture: Josh Woning

At just three weeks old, Mrs Holcroft said the babies already had distinctive personalities.

Robert is “super-chilled”, Lilliana is “relaxed and cute”, and while Primrose may be the smallest, she’s the feistiest.

“She will be running the show when she is older,” her doting mum said.

The Holcroft triplets will be among around 70 other babies celebrating Mother’s Day with the mums at Mater’s Neonatal Critical Care Unit this year.

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