Three's Acharm

Our baby girls had a long journey home

- James Hanman/Danielle Whitfield

By Rachel Davison, 32, from Billingham

My partner Paul, 29, and I were over the moon when, in July last year, we found out I was pregnant.

But no-one was more excited than Charlotte, 12, and Lucie, 7, my daughters from a previous relationship.

‘I hope it’s a girl!’ beamed Lucie, who was desperate for another sister.

Then, at the first scan at 4 weeks, the sonographer revealed we were having twins.

Paul’s younger brothers are twins, but he was as shocked as I was by the news.

‘Double trouble!’ he grinned. 

But the surprises weren’t over for us yet...

At my 8-week scan, the biggest bombshell of all was dropped…

I wasn’t carrying two babies – I was expecting three!

‘Triplets?!’ I exclaimed in the doctor’s office.

I looked at Paul, who was gobsmacked.

It was hard not to feel scared. I knew multiple pregnancies carried risks, from premature birth to miscarriage.

‘We’ll monitor you closely,’ the doctor said, trying to put my mind at ease.

But, despite the nerves, Paul and I couldn’t wait to meet our little trio.

Before long, I was the size of a house!

At 16 weeks, we were delighted to learn that all three babies were girls.

Then, on 13 November last year, I was out shopping in our local Tesco with Paul when suddenly... Splash!