They are fine and the triplets have already returned home born in recent days at the Gynecology and Obstetrics UOC of the “G. Martino” of Messina, directed by prof. Alfredo Ercoli and then assisted and monitored at the UOC of Pathology and Neonatal Intensive Care directed by Prof. Eloisa Gitto.
A naturally occurring triple birth that hadn’t been seen in a long time and which occurred without particular complications for mothers and newborns.
Mother Miriam Durante, 32 years old, was followed during her pregnancy by Dr. Silvestro Arbuse and inside the Pregnancy Clinic of the “G. Martino” of Messina and gave birth at 34 weeks by caesarean section. In the operating room to perform the caesarean section, the prof. Ferdinando Gulino, Dr. Angelo Santamaria and Dr. Alessandra Rosaniti, gynecologists, and Dr. Francesco Lanza, anesthetist.
The hospital journey of little Alex, Nicolas and Gabriel has therefore come to an end, the first two born weighing 1,850 kg and the third weighing 1,950 kg, who – after having been initially assisted by the neonatal unit led by Dr. ssa Danila Mazzeo – were then followed and monitored by the staff of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, directed by prof. Eloisa Gitto, as they were born before the term. During their hospitalization they were subjected to continuous monitoring of their vital parameters, which always remained normal, and more in-depth specific checks. They will continue to be followed up by the NICU for the first three years of life.
An older brother and their father Salvatore Crispi are waiting for the triplets at home.
“Triple pregnancy – explains Prof. Gulino – is increasingly rare, especially if it occurs without resorting to fertility treatments for the couple. The incidence of spontaneous triple pregnancies is approximately 1 case in 7,000. In this circumstance in the patient’s clinical history there was inheritance of twin births. Triplets can be monozygotic, that is, they derive from a single fertilized oocyte which is divided into three identical embryos, or dizygotic, when they are formed from different oocytes.
A triplet pregnancy can occur – as in this case – when a second egg is released, then fertilized by another sperm, after the conception of twins. In this type of triplets there are two identical twins and a third who is called a sibling twin.
It is clear that triplet pregnancy requires, compared to singleton pregnancy, greater precautions and more frequent checks, with targeted investigations and, at the moment of birth, specialized personnel and structures capable of supporting the needs of children who are often born before the term”.
“At first learning that there were three was a real surprise – says mother Miriam – a mix of fear and uncertainty, but then I relied on the doctors’ advice. I felt accompanied throughout the entire journey. I am happy that everything went well and also that I chose a facility that is equipped with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and has all the professionalism and skills to be able to manage the needs of newborns born before the term. The support received from the neonatology and NICU staff was essential in overcoming some critical issues. I thank all the staff for the loving care given to both me and my children.”
Among the services offered to women who choose the University Hospital to give birth there is also the possibility of taking advantage of birth analgesia. There is a team of anesthetists dedicated to the maternal and child area who, 24 hours a day, can intervene to practice it and assist the patient throughout the entire birth phase.