Three brothers born at 25 weeks become the most premature triplets to survive in the UK
Max, Lucas and Harvey are finally home
Three baby boys born 15 weeks early have been celebrated as the most premature triplets ever to survive in Britain. Now at home with their parents, the three are “fighting fit” and doing well.
Max, Lucas and Harvey were born in November after just 24 weeks and 5 days in the womb. Each weighed under 2lbs and between them required 12 blood transfusions.
“We couldn’t have much contact because they were in boxes,” said mum Rachel, 31, about the three months the triplets spent in intensive care after their birth. “We were only able to bring them out now and again for skin-to-skin contact. It was so hard with tubes down their throats and so many wires coming out of them.”
Rachel and husband Ashley Udell, 29, were delighted to discover they were expecting the naturally conceived triplets, but were shocked when Rachel’s waters broke so early. She was rushed to hospital, where she underwent an emergency caesarean.
“It was dreadful. Instead of being excited about my babies I was terrified that they would not survive,” said Rachel.
Harvey was the first of the brothers to leave hospital in December, followed by Lucas five days later. But is was not until Max was allowed to join his brothers in the second week of January that the family were able to all go home together.
The boys still require constant care but their mum and dad are just relieved to have them home and safe.
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