Newborn triplets out of NICU   By Laura Pillay |06 April 2023

The three little bundles of joy are now in the clear

Newborn triplets Sandria, Sandrina and Sandrica are now in the clear and are being cared for at the Maternity ward at the Seychelles Hospital, after spending their first few weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

The triplets who were due in April were born through induced labour, preterm on February 28, and were admitted to the NICU due to their low birth weight.

Sandria, who is the biggest and the first to make it out of the unit, has now reached 2.8 kilogrammes, while sisters Sandrina and Sandrica are at 2.34 kilogrammes and 2.58 kilogrammes respectively.

Mum Juliane Jean is hoping that they will be released from the hospital for home within the next couple of weeks.

“I am really happy to have all three daughters in good health. They are all well, although they are feeding on formula and not breastmilk,” Ms Jean expressed to Seychelles NATION.

Initially, upon her first doctors’ visit to Dr Murthy’s clinic to confirm her pregnancy at eleven weeks, Ms Jean was advised that she would be having twins. The news did not come as much of a surprise to her and she thought herself lucky, considering that her own mother is a twin.

“However, following my consultation at Anse Royale I was given the ultrasound scan appointment at Seychelles Hospital, where they informed me that there were not two, but three babies. I was honestly in disbelief and insisted that there was only two. I was in such shock that I cried and told the doctor that the machine must be malfunctioning,” Ms Jean explained.

That very day, she walked out of the consultation room in disbelief, and walked blankly to town, she recalls.

It was not long before she wrapped her head around the news, and the pregnancy was normal up to her inducement.

“I developed some complications after the birth, and was not able to see them until around a couple of weeks after their birth. My blood pressure shot up and it caused my feet and hands to swell, but it has since lowered,” Ms Jean noted.

Ms Jean has two other children, a daughter who is presently in P6, as well as a son who is on S3. Her daughter is extremely excited to have three smaller sisters, while her son was eager to see for himself if there would be three babies.

Although they are yet to get into a proper routine, the sisters usually wake up simultaneously and also sleep at the same time.

At present, the triplets’ father, Sandy Moncherry, is helping Ms Jean with caring for the three little bundles of joy while at the hospital. He stays over at night and helps with the feeding, diaper changing and all else that comes with parenting newborn babies. Staff at the hospital have also been helpful in supporting both parents with caring for the babies.

So far, the doting parents are providing financially for their children’s needs, although they did receive some help initially, from the Children’s Fund. Some business organisations have also stepped in and donated necessities such as diapers and wipes, although with three babies she gets through supplies quite quickly. 

Having just been made redundant at the Security firm at which she worked before birthing the triplets, Ms Jean welcomes any help she can get.

She has been advised that she will be supported with a carer to help care for the triplets once they are home, which she hopes will be in the next couple of weeks.

Triplets being quite a rarity in Seychelles, the arrival of the three little girls has garnered quite some attention.

First Lady and Patron of the National Council for Children (NCC) Linda Ramakalawan has during previous weeks paid them a visit. 

Photos: Contributed