Triplets...
I met the Anaethetist in the hallway outside the operating theatre. He normally is a relaxed guy with an easy smile and a happy demeanour, but today he seemed rushed and tense. He looked me straight in the eye and asked if I was going to be working with them on the triplets. "We are starting at one," he said with terse lips before he disappeared through the theatre doors. It was 12h45.
I hurriedly changed into scrubs and grabbed my computer and paperwork for the session ahead. I had a feeling that this was not going to be an easy delivery. My premonition was confirmed when the paediatricians rushed into the theater, checking equipment and sorting drawers on the resuscitation tables. One of them gave me a wary look and continued her checks. I smiled but the air was stiff with tension. We had personnel assisting from the Neonatal ICU. Transport incubators were prepped and double checked. The buzz of activity kept a steady pace while the minutes passed on the clock. Normally there is a bunch of small talk and people laughing about holiday stories as they prepare a theatre. Not today.
I walked over to reception where I meet with the parents of all the babies we photograph. I have more than one hat to wear in our line of work: at the reception I am the emotional support dog that helps the parents relax a little before going in, when the theatre doors open I become the tour guide that explains who everyone is and what they do - today that was a long list - I then become the DJ who plays the music and finally I am the photographer who captures and documents the event.
Renske is a beautiful woman with dark hair and friendly eyes. She smiled nervously at me. I double checked her file because there was no way that small belly was holding 3 babies. It was. I smiled and chatted but my mind raced - putting together the puzzle of the last 15 minutes. It all made sense now. She was hovering between 34 and 35 weeks gestation and 3 boys were living in the confines of her abdomen. She looked like she was carrying one full term baby.
We talked about what she could expect, how theatre worked and how long the procedure would take. This was her first pregnancy. Talk about an entrance into parenthood! I reassured her that the medical team was, in my opinion brilliant, and that they would do anything they could to make this birth special and safe. I meant it. These people pour their souls into their work and all of them have their hearts on their sleeves when something goes wrong. We wanted to make sure that this delivery went by without a hitch.
Too soon we were heading into theatre and she nervously shook as she sat on the table for the spinal. There was no turning back now and she smiled bravely, knowing that the stakes were high. I played music and smiled as much as I could to lighten the mood and take the attention off the scurrying medical personnel. It worked.
At 13h38 the first baby made his appearance and screamed a surprising cry at the room of people holding their breath. His 2 brothers followed in the next 4 minutes. I was again stunned as I watched and documented the flurry of activity of 2 doctors and 3 midwives stabilising the premature babies, intubating 2 and supporting the 3rd with oxygen. The smallest of the 3 brothers were doing quite well. 2 of the boys were identical twins.
Dad was called over as soon as the boys were stable enough to briefly meet their parents before heading to the NICU. Renske cried happy and worried tears. She is a mom now and nothing will ever really be the same again. Her heart was being wheeled off to the NICU in 3 different bodies.
It has been 4 days since they were born and an update from Renske said that they were doing well. We are so excited for this family, and we are tremendously grateful for the medical staff guarding the small bodies in the NICU.
Until our next adventure
Love,
Lizelle and Charlotte








