A hat-trick of triples for Tassie

Maternity staff in Hobart have been seeing triple in recent weeks – with three sets of triplets born in unusually close succession.

Iris Larim and her 3-month-old triplets (L-R) Olivia, Ava and Emilia at Latrobe. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

MATERNITY staff in Hobart have been seeing triple in recent weeks – with three sets of triplets born in unusually close succession.

For Justin and Amy Ward, the arrival of their triplets six weeks ago completed an emotional journey for the first-time parents.

When they discovered they were expecting triplets, both were lost for words.

“I couldn’t say anything. I just stared back at the doctors for ages,” said Mrs Ward.

Mr Ward said they had originally been told they were expecting twins, but a subsequent appointment found the third. “It was a massive shock,” he said.

The Wards, from the Huon Valley, only planned to have one child, and the arrival of three – two boys and a girl – was totally unplanned and happened naturally.

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“We were only planning one child, the other two are bonus children,” Mrs Ward said.

The triplets arrived safely on November 11 at 30 weeks’ gestation, and spent the first couple of weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit of the Royal Hobart Hospital, followed by time in the special care nursery.

On Friday they were transferred to the Hobart Private Hospital, where they will spend another couple of weeks before heading home.

Mrs Ward said staff had been a huge help with the three bubs – Emma, Samuel and Alexander.

And while their extended family lives interstate, the local community began helping when the news of triplets got out.

“As soon as people found out we were having triplets, bags and boxes of things started arriving,” Mrs Ward said.

All three sets of triplets have been safely delivered at the Royal Hobart Hospital since September.

Triplets (L-R) Alexander, Emma and Samuel Ward. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

New parents to triplets Amy and Justin Ward with their children (L-R) Alexander, Emma and Samuel. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

RHH Neonatal and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit manager Sonia Gallahar was stunned by the run of triplets.

“It’s quite rare to have one set of triplets, so to have three sets at the RHH at once is absolutely amazing,” she said.

“In 14 years working at the RHH, I can only remember caring for a few sets of triplets, and then this year we get three sets at once.

“No-one can recall anything like that happening before. It’s obviously very special.”

The first set of triplets was born on September 28 to Iris Larin and Jamie Howard from Latrobe.

Their three girls – Olivia, Emilia and Ava – are now at home and doing well.

“I’m pretty sleep-deprived and you have to get babysitters in just to have a shower – but, in general, I’m loving it,” Miss Larin said.

Again, the first-time parents only ever intended to have one child, so the news of three naturally conceived babies was met with disbelief.

“When they told me I was a bit shocked, and I started laughing because I didn’t know how else to react,” Miss Larin said.

Despite the shock, the new parents are adjusting well to the change and the trio of girls are settled most nights.

The third set of triplets, born at the RHH, then transferred to Calvary private, are now also out of hospital care.

Tasmanian Multiple Birth Association president Allison Young said the families would be offered lots of support from other parents of multiples.

“I’m a passionate advocate for multiples. Even though it can be hard, having children grow up at exactly the same age and stage can be amazing.”

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Multiple birth association at www.tasmba.org.au