I’m endlessly fascinated by multiples. Twins, triplets and beyond catch my attention without fail, and so it was no surprise I couldn’t resist clicking on BabyCentre UK’s “My life with triplets” post.
In it, Jo Arkwright gives all a peek into what it’s been like to have three boys at once. She writes:
During our second round of IVF, we conceived triplets. We had a scan at six weeks where they could see two little heart beats, and were then advised to have a scan between 8-9 weeks due to the risk of vanishing twin syndrome. When the sonographer pushed the screen away from our view, I remember her words clearly: “I can see something else here.”
I instantly knew that she was saying she could see another embryo. I turned to my husband who had gone sheet white. As we left the hospital there was a combination of hysterical laughing and silent disbelief.
I wasn’t nervous about the labour as I was always advised that I would need an elective c-section. At my 32 week scan it was decided that I should have the c-section a week later. There must have been over 25 people in the operating theatre, as there were the anesthetists, surgeons, midwives, neo-natal teams and medical students.
The first to be born was Wilbur (the smallest and one of the identical twins) at 3lbs 6oz, two minutes later Arthur (the non-identical triplet) was born weighing 4lbs 10oz, and lastly Teddy was born weighing 3lbs 10oz.
As for the stats, she shared:
When breastfeeding I spent 4 hours in the day and at night expressing.
We used 3.5 tubs of formula a week.
Then 16 pints of cows’ milk a week.
In the beginning we used 120 nappies a month, now we use just over 60.
I spend 3 to 4 hours a day preparing meals and feeding the boys.
Take a look at how sweet Teddy, Arthur and Wilbur were!
All images shared with permission from Jo Arkwright.
And I say were, because I realized Jo’s post was published in 2014. Naturally, I had to get in touch and ask her what a day in the life with triplets is like today.
Via email she shared with BabyCenter:
The boys are now 3 years and 4 months old.
Although we try not to label the boys at this young age they are extremely different in character and personality. Arthur (our singleton) is very outgoing and has a natural independence, whereas Teddy and Wilbur (our identical two) are more quietly confident.
The main outgoing expense over the last year has been preschool fees, as funding in the UK only begins the term after they’re 3. We felt that preschool was very important to help the boys to socialise out of their trio. Now the biggest outgoings are food, clothing and shoes. In September we will beginning swimming classes which will become a huge outgoing at £21 ($28 USD) a week!
See how big the boys are now…
All images shared with permission from Jo Arkwright.
In our immediate community (a village north of London) we are well known but we are in good company as there are two other sets of triplets in the village! We have recently been on holiday and travelling through Heathrow Terminal 5 and to a Spanish Island we have never been so pointed and stared at! It was frustrating when we were on holiday as strangers would take photos of the boys. Some would do it subtly and others would actually take a photo and ask the boys to say cheese. We find this very difficult and show our annoyance when this does happen.
My advice to anyone expecting multiples would be to make sure both parents are hands on as having multiples is a team effort. In the early days it is important that you get sleep, so cat nap whenever you get a moment, so that you have the energy to cope. Except help from anyone and everyone who offers it. Also enjoy every moment as if they are your only children then phases come and go too quickly!
Many thanks to Jo for sharing her family with us. You’re welcome to connect with her on Instagram, or her professional photography site.
