Rare triplets born at Townsville University Hospital after intrauterine insemination (IUI)
A North Queensland family is melting hearts with three gorgeous gifts delivered in Townsville University Hospital.
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A North Queensland family is melting hearts with three gorgeous gifts delivered in Townsville University Hospital.
Mahana (sunshine), Manawa (heart) and Makaio (gift) were delivered in the TUH neonatal unit preterm at 32 weeks on October 25.
Mount Isa couple Casey and Reagan Thatcher, originally from Auckland, said they were “over the moon” with the triplets who were joining big brother Hauiti, 3, after years of infertility.
“Hauiti was born after four years of fertility treatment and three miscarriages,” Mrs Thatcher shared on Wednesday.
“Hauiti is so special to us, we wanted to add to our family and give him siblings to grow up with (so when he) turned two, we knew we wanted to start trying for another baby.”
Mrs Thatcher said the family turned to their doctor to start intrauterine insemination, or IUI.
She fell pregnant after one cycle of the process where sperm is inserted into the uterus at the time of ovulation.
“Of course, at first, we were worried about cost-of-living pressures and how we’d cope with a kindergartener and three babies,” she said.
“Now we couldn’t imagine anything but our family of four precious boys.”
Mrs Thatcher also revealed how each baby was named in the Māori language.
“Manawa was at the bottom being squished by his brothers, so we knew had a big heart,” she said.
“We could always see Mahana at the front of every scan, so he is our sunshine, while Makaio, as triplet three, is a true gift.”
Maternal fetal medicine fellow Dr Natasha Frost said triplet pregnancies only accounted for around 100 births in Australia each year.
“Managing Casey’s high-risk pregnancy and safe delivery of her babies was a real team effort and it has been an absolute privilege to be able to be part of this team and get to know Casey and her family through this special journey.”
Neonatologist Dr Natalee Williamson said it was a privilege to look after the babies and families who needed the hospital’s care.
Mrs Thatcher said she especially wanted to thank her doctor at Mount Isa Hospital Dr Elena
Kreimer and Ronald McDonald House where they had been staying.
“They have been amazing and we’re very grateful.”
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Originally published as Rare triplets born at Townsville University Hospital after intrauterine insemination (IUI)
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