Unusual occurrence: Identical triplets delivered in Slovakia - Rare occurrence: Birth of triplets from a single egg in Slovakia
In an extraordinary event, Slovakia has recently witnessed the birth of identical triplets at the University Children's Clinic in Košice. The three baby girls, named Sara, Ester, and Livia, are doing remarkably well and are expected to be discharged soon.
The mother of the triplets, Petronela, is breastfeeding all three at the clinic. This is a significant achievement, considering that identical triplets, also known as monozygotic triplets, occur approximately once in every 100 million births according to the University Children's Hospital in Košice.
The birth of identical triplets happens when a fertilized egg splits first into two, and then one of those splits again, resulting in three genetically identical embryos of the same sex. This rare occurrence is associated with significant medical risks due to complications that can arise from shared placentas and limited space, as well as the challenges inherent in premature and multiple births.
Despite these risks, the recent identical triplets were delivered by Caesarean section at 33 weeks and have been growing well under hospital care. Each of the triplets has gained nearly 400 grams in weight over the past four weeks.
Petronela, who already has a five-year-old daughter, expressed her gratitude for the dedicated care her babies are receiving. "I am so grateful for the medical team here at the clinic," she said. "They have been nothing short of amazing in helping us navigate this unique journey."
The triplets' progress is a testament to the resilience of these tiny miracles and the expertise of the medical team caring for them. It is hoped that they will soon be able to return home, bringing joy to their family and inspiring hope for other families facing high-order multiple pregnancies.
In light of the triplets' remarkable progress, the university's community policy could be revised to incorporate more resources for high-order multiple pregnancies, considering the rarity and unique challenges associated with their care. Additionally,Petronela, after witnessing the effectiveness of health-and-wellness practices during her vocational training, is eager to share her experiential knowledge about breastfeeding triplets with other mothers as part of a community-led health-and-wellness initiative, further emphasizing the importance of such vocational training in improving family health outcomes.
