Goreham Triplets
Goreham Triplets,
Stoney Island, Nova Scotia
Goreham Triplets
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Although O’Sullivan and her babies have been discharged, they remained in the hospital as of the first week in the New Year waiting for her son’s lungs to mature so he will not require the ventilation machine.
The babies arrived 10 weeks early by caesarean. Nicholas was the heaviest at two pounds, 15 ounces; Alannah weighed two lbs. nine oz., and Delaney was the lightweight at one lb., 15 oz. O’Sullivan breastfed the babies for the first two months. They are now approximately three times their birth weight
The new mother had a rough time of it after delivery. In the recovery room her blood pressure spiked and her organs began shutting down. She didn’t see the babies until two days later.
At 29 weeks, six days gestation the triplets had complications common with preemies. They had to be ventilated because of lung problems and Nicholas and Alannah had operations for heart murmurs. One side of Alannah’s vocal cord was paralyzed, which left her temporarily with a very soft cry.
Each baby has a distinct personality. Nicholas is laid back and easygoing “as long as he is fed”.
“He charms the nurses with his eyes and dimples,” said O’Sullivan.
“Delaney is the feisty one and Alannah always seems to be in a good mood, chattering constantly,” she said.
Due to start her third year of nursing at St Francis Xavier University, before the triplets came along, O’Sullivan plans on returning to her studies in two years but will transfer to the Dalhousie School of Nursing program.
By the time they were transferred to the Yarmouth hospital she was taking care of all the bathing, monitors and feeding.
“I’m so lucky because they’re all so good looking and smart,” she crowed teasingly while nuzzling a daughter.
“They all look different. Thank God. We didn’t want little clones. We’re expecting them all to be geniuses,” she laughed.
On October 14, 2007 Shannon O’Sullivan gave birth to triplets at the Grace-IWK Health Centre in Halifax.
Mother and babies were transferred to the Yarmouth Regional Hospital just before Christmas.
