Mum Advised To Abort Two Babies Gives Birth To Healthy Triplets

Mum Advised To Abort Two Babies Gives Birth To Healthy Triplets
SWNS

Former Olympic gymnast Jaime Halsey has given birth to three healthy baby girls – despite doctors advising her to abort two of them.

Trampolinist Jaime and her rugby star husband Steve were told the odds of all their triplets surviving was 50/50.

But last week the couple welcomed Eden Rose, Amber Joy and Erin Aila via a planned Caesarean section.

The 35-year-old parents, from Abington, Northampton, delivered the good news via the online blog they have been keeping which documents their experience.

Jaime, who represented Team GB at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, described the birth as 'the most amazing, yet surreal experience of my life, and I loved every minute'.

She added: "I felt so overwhelmed, I had heard each one cry and been able to see them. It was just the best feeling ever."

The trio were born last Tuesday, with only minor complications before being placed into incubators for further care at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Eden Rose was the first to arrive into the world at 3.53pm, weighing 3lb 8oz.

She was closely followed by Amber Joy at 3.54pm, weighing in at 3lb 1oz.

Then at 3.55pm Erin Aila was born, and weighed 2lb 13oz.

Jamie and Steve's relief and joy can only be imagined considering the advice they were given.

After finding out they were expecting triplets, they were referred to specialists after the 12 week scan when it was realised one of girls was 25 per cent smaller than the other.

Doctors advised Jaime to consider terminating two of her unborn children because they could cause serious risks to her health as well as the other babies.

But Jaime, who was Team GB's first female trampolinist, refused an abortion.

Recalling the moment she was advised to abort two of her babies, Jaime, who already has a two-year-old daughter, Flo, told her local paper: "My initial emotional reaction was 'I can't do that, I will keep them all and carry on with the pregnancy whatever'.

"Steve was much more logical wanting to know what the risks were to me but collectively we made the decision we would give the three babies the best opportunity we possibly could to come into the world.

"Other people have triplets and I wasn't prepared to abort two healthy babies just to make life easier.

"As sport has taught us both, all you need is a chance, positivity and the faith of others in your ability to be a success."

Jaime married Steve, a former London Welsh rugby player, in 2009.

The couple began trying for another baby in spring last year after daughter Flo began asking for a sister.

When Jaime became pregnant, scans revealed she had two monozygotic identical twins and one 'singleton' in her womb.

Consultants told them twins sharing a placenta are at risk of twin-to-twin syndrome of Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR).

Huge congratulations, Jaime, Steve and Flo!

More on Parentdish:

Close