First triplets of the new year in UAE

Dubai, 7 Jan,2010 (Khaleejtimes)Rehan Sami and Ayesha Ali could hardly believe when the doctors told them about the triplets coming into their family. Perhaps, the UAE's first triplets in the new year.
The two girls and the boy were born on Sunday. The boy is in intensive care unit as he has breathing difficulties.

"I was shocked and happy at the same time. It was unbelievable that my first kids would be triplets," said Ayesha, who delivered the babies at Medcare Hospital in Jumeirah.

The Pakistani couple who have been married for over three years named the three kids Erina, Eshal and Ehan.

"The babies are not identical but both the girls looked very similar. Initially, we called them baby one, baby two and baby three," said Rehan, a proud father of the triplets.

Weighing 1.96kg, Erina was the first baby to be delivered at 10.25am. A minute later, Eshal was born, weighing 1.8kg. The boy, Ehan, weighing 1.67kg was the last of the triplets delivered at 10.27am.

Dr Paramjit Luthra, who led the team during the delivery at Medcare Hospital, says the triplets are in good health and will be discharged soon from the hospital.

Following strict diet control and sleep patterns, Ayesha was advised to abort one of the babies during pregnancy, as doctors feared medical complications.

"It was a tough time for us because the doctors had advised us to drop one of the babies fearing complications. We left it to Allah and believed in fate. There was a lot of uncertainty but, in the end, we are happy to see the babies with us now," says Rehan who was overwhelmed by the whole experience.

The couple was notified of the triplets during the second week of Ayesha's pregnancy but they decided to keep it as a secret from friends.

"The initial period was very difficult because there was a very high risk of miscarriage during the first three months of pregnancy. After the fourth month, we started getting excited and the doctors continuously provided us with a lot psychological support. Also, our family was by our side and they knew about it since the beginning," added Rehan.

The two girls and the boy are said to be in good health but doctors have kept the boy in intensive care as he showed signs of weakness. Ehan, the smallest of the three, will be released from the hospital after a week.

Dr Shahid Gauhar, a specialist neonatologist at the hospital, said, "The youngest baby had breathing difficulties and we have kept him in the intensive care unit. The baby will be discharged after a week under observation."

By Muaz Shabandri