Ellen Campbell and her husband James are “over the moon” after welcoming Mabel, Sadie and Lily on October 30 this year.
The three girls join young twins Finley and Malachy, who were born on the NHS’ 75th birthday in 2023.
Mabel, Sadie and Lily were born at 33 weeks, meaning they required care from the Neonatal Unit at the Ulster Hospital. Now, the new additions to the family are settling in to their new home.
Both Finley and Malachy were also born premature, meaning they required support at the same unit.
October 30 was a busy day for the labour ward. Not only were there triplets born, but also three sets of twins.
Sixteen babies were born that day, making it one of the busiest yet.
Ellen told her story to mark World Prematurity Day (November 17).
This day marks the challenges faced by families whose babies are born premature, and the work by neonatal teams globally.
Lily and Ellen Campbell with Sharon Ferguson (Neonatal Sister)
“After Finley and Malachy were born, we thought we would have one more child,” Ellen said.
“I booked an early scan and we were a bit shocked when the midwife said there was three babies not just one.
“James went very quiet in the corner. I think we were both quite shocked to learn we were having triplets! It still does not feel real.
“During the car journey home we were still in disbelief. At that point we had not even realised that we would have five children all under two years of age.
“We are very blessed that we have two boys and three girls now”.
“We are very blessed that we have two boys and three girls now. Even that in itself feels so unique to have twin boys and triplet girls.
“Sadie and Lily are identical twins and then little Mabel. It felt surreal being back [at the neonatal ward], but this time we were a lot more prepared.
“We knew we would likely have another neonatal journey because the girls would come early, but so many of the same staff are still here.
“It is very reassuring knowing that our girls are in such great hands means everything to us.
“The staff have been absolutely brilliant, they are just like part of our family.
“They look after our girls 24/7 and could not do more to make us feel at home here.
“The girls have really flourished and thrived over the past two weeks and that is all down to the staff in the Unit.
“To me, Mabel looks very different to her sisters and at the moment Sadie is a bit bigger than Lily, which helps tell them apart.
“But I think as Lily catches up, it is going to get a bit more tricky. They still have their hospital ID bands on at the moment to help us.
Mum and dad Ellen and James with newborn triplets and twins Malachy and Finley
News Catch Up – Monday 17 November
“A lot of people have said to put some nail polish, a different colour on each toe, so we can tell them apart.
“But I think we will have to keep them labelled until we can definitely find some way of telling who is who.
“We are over the moon. We have nearly got a whole football team now! We are looking forward to being home, all seven of us together.
“It will be pure relief to have the girls home. The fact that they are going home when they should even be in the Unit for another five weeks is phenomenal. We are very excited,” she added.
Proud dad James said that having five children under two “is a new normal for us”.
“We are a good team and we have great support from our family. We are looking forward to getting home and being together,” said James.
Neonatal Unit Sister Stefanie Minnis said that it was “lovely to have cared for Mabel, Sadie and Lily in the unit”.
“From being born at 33 weeks to be going home after a short stay in the unit is just amazing,” said the unit sister.
“We are so proud of them”.
“The girls have done incredibly well and we are so proud of them and of the family.
“Our focus right from the beginning is teamwork and family integrated care.
“We aim right from the get-go to involve parents with their babies and we work alongside them as a team to get them ready for home.
“The girls have all had a lovely smooth journey within the Unit and it is so special that they are now getting home to be with the rest of their lovely family.
“We all just want to put them in our own pockets and take them home, they are sweet little girls. We will miss the daily cuddles,” she added.
