Dad of rare triplets only sees babies from hospital window
A dad of rare identical triplets hasn't seen his daughters since they were born almost two weeks ago and can only get glimpses from an upstairs hospital window due to Covid-19 restrictions
Callie, Quinn and Minnie Hopkins were born in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth 12 days ago, where they continue to thrive in the intensive care unit.
However dad David Hopkins (32) hasn't seen his daughters since his partner Emma Lennon (31) gave birth by caesarian section on May 14 and only gets glimpses of them when Emma brings them to a upstairs window in the ward.
Emma and David defied odds of up to 200 million to one in falling pregnant naturally with identical triplets.
The couple from Laytown, Co Meath had given up hope on having children after trying for two years when they discovered they were expecting identical daughters in the extremely rare spontaneous monochorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy
Now Emma, who is allowed to visit her babies each day is hoping the stringent restrictions will be relaxed soon to allow David cuddle his daughters for only the second time.
"We are just so in love. Everything went perfectly, thanks to all the staff in the hospital.
"They were all born crying, which was instant relief for us. Callie and Quinn were both born in the same minute at 9.29am, weighing 4lb 4oz and 4lb respectively.
"Little Minnie - who we named because she was always the smallest - was born at 9.30am, weighing just 3lb 5oz. They are all doing really well and putting on weight.
"I watched Callie get her first bath and I was able to give Quinn her first bath and Callie is out of the incubator and is able to regulate her own temperature now. They are just smashing.
"I get to visit each day and feed them but I feel so sorry for David who got to see them being born and for an hour afterwards but hasn't been allowed in to see them since.
"I completely understand that it is for the safety of all the babies in here, not just mine. But I believe visiting restrictions have been eased a bit in other hospitals so hopefully, he will get in to see them soon.
"We are all super proud and my 10-year old daughter Kacey can't wait to get them home too.
"The doctors and nurses can't believe they were conceived naturally without any fertility treatment. I'm told the odds are anywhere between one in 60,000 and one in 200 million
"Seemingly it was just a spontaneous thing that my egg split in three and the girls all shared the one sac and placenta.
They are all the image of David and I feel bad coming home every evening telling him about them, when he can't see them himself.
"It's a bit unusual having to ring each morning and ask how my babies are doing so I can only imagine how hard it is for him."
The couple are preparing their home on the triple and are looking for information on getting a custom made mattress..
"We would love to keep the three girls together in one cot so we are looking for a custom made mattress to fit two cots, if we join them together.
"Obviously a lot of places aren't open at the minute so if anyone can help us to find someone, that would be great."
