Molly, Sophie, and Emily’s Story

Kingston works as part of a network of hospitals, and our triplet girls were transferred from St George’s hospital when they were two days old.

The care we received was truly holistic and bespoke to our circumstances, but also filled empathy and kindness, and real understanding. There is so much strength and depth of experience, but the unit is also small enough that you really get to know the individual team members. It helped to prepare us for the first stages of parenting three premature babies, as much as helping the girls to grow and develop. Shelley received really positive support from a lactation specialist, and the nursing team helped to build a feeding schedule that worked for us. The strong links with the Maternity unit meant that my Shelley could receive follow up medical care herself while visiting the babies in NNU, despite having delivered at another hospital. We also received much-needed training and encouragement from the nurses in how to bathe, feed and look after such small babies, as well as identify any danger signs. This was incredibly reassuring and gave us real confidence when the girls were discharged. The girls were seen regularly by a dietician, who has continued to monitor their progress post-discharge and who is always happy to answer our questions. Once they came home, we had regular visits from a neonatal nurse, who had got to know us and the girls on the unit. Her advice and support was truly invaluable.

In addition to providing exceptional clinical care to our girls, the whole team went above and beyond to help us new parents, at an anxious time. One of the most touching examples was on my birthday. I arrived to visit to girls to find a handmade birthday card from our triplets – including photos – which had been made by the night team. The neonatal unit is supported by the incredible Born too Soon charity. Together with local knitting clubs, they provide clothes for tiny babies, as well as lots of little touches that really help in those first few weeks.

It can be such an anxious time for parents, but neonatal units are not scary places. They are filled with incredibly caring nurses and doctors who do truly seem to love those in their care.

Shelley and Marcus Twitchin
Parents to Molly, Sophie, and Emily, born on 21 August