In an inspiring tale of perseverance and joy, a couple in Reading, England, is celebrating their first Christmas as a family of five, thanks to the arrival of their “miracle” triplets: Scarlett, Max, and Troy. This heartwarming story began with the couple’s unwavering determination and four rounds of IVF treatments.
Laura Donegan, 39, and her husband, Roy, 39, embarked on a challenging journey to parenthood, marked by fertility treatments and emotional ups and downs. After facing setbacks and disappointments, they finally received the precious gift they had been longing for.
Scarlett, Max, and Troy made their grand entrance into the world on June 26 of this year, born six weeks and four days early via elective cesarean section. Laura faced a medical emergency, losing over two and a half liters of blood during childbirth, which necessitated a transfusion.
Despite their premature birth, the triplets and their resilient mother were able to leave St. Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, after just six nights, without the need for an extended stay in the neonatal intensive care unit.
As the Donnegans celebrate their first Christmas together as a family, they reflect on the challenges they’ve overcome. Laura shared her sentiments, saying, “During the pregnancy, we just wanted them to be healthy, and we were worried there might be complications. We were so relieved they were healthy. We definitely feel as though it was a miracle.”
Roy, an accountant, added, “It has been a long journey to be where we are now with four rounds of IVF treatment. It got to the point where you think, ‘Will it ever happen?'”
The triplets, Scarlett, Max, and Troy, were born weighing 4 pounds 2 ounces, 3 pounds 14 ounces, and 3 pounds 8 ounces, respectively. They required feeding every two hours for the first few months of their lives, a process that took over an hour and a half each time.
Adding to the challenges, the Donnegans moved 12 weeks after the triplets’ birth, relocating from their home in Brook Green, central London, to a property in Reading to be closer to their family.
The enormity of having triplets initially overwhelmed them, but the charity Multiple Milestones came to their assistance. This organization supports parents of three or more babies and provided invaluable guidance on feeding and bathing routines, as well as assistance as they prepared for Roy’s eventual return to work.
This Christmas, the Donnegans are celebrating with the joy of having their dream come true—three healthy, happy babies. Their journey serves as a testament to the power of hope, determination, and the boundless love that parents have for their children.
