Bethany Smith, 26, from Burton, Staffordshire, and her partner Kay Singh, 38, welcomed daughters Kiren and Kirit and son Arjan on April 4. Student teacher and part-time hairdresser Bethany, already a mom to Reuben, seven, Pria, six, and Mari, four, hadn’t been trying for more children and had an intrauterine device (I.U.D) fitted. The I.U.D, also known as a coil, is a small T-shaped device inserted into the womb by a doctor or nurse. It releases copper, which makes it more difficult for sperm to reach an egg and survive and is designed to prevent pregnancy for between five and 10 years.
- The global pandemic added another layer of complexity to Bethany and Kay’s journey. COVID-19 restrictions meant that the couple could only visit their newborns once a day, adorned in masks, gowns, and gloves. The usual excitement of welcoming a new life was overshadowed by the surreal circumstances imposed by the pandemic, making the initial weeks a test of resilience and strength
Weighing in at 3lb 5oz, 3lb 4oz, and 3lb 9oz respectively, the triplets fought their early battles in the hospital for three weeks. Bethany recalls the challenges of seeing her girls on breathing equipment, a stark departure from the envisioned joy of parenthood. Kay acknowledges the difficulties of not being able to kiss the newborns and the stress that enveloped those initial weeks. However, despite the odds, the triplets emerged as miracles, surviving their tumultuous entry into the world and making remarkable progress.