While other girls were getting their periods on a monthly basis, Munirah Hanim was having very irregular periods. In a year she might get her period four times. It could be once in February, then another in May and the next in October and the last in December. There is no way for her to calculate when her next period's due date is.
She's always had irregular periods because she has Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). She has never had period cramps and has no idea what they feel like.
Because of her irregular periods, Munirah thought she would not be able to have children as the infertility rate is very high for women with polycystic ovaries.
Pregnant!
It was naturally a surprise when Munirah and her husband found out she was pregnant and moreso when they found out they were going to have triplets.
“It took us one and a half years to get pregnant. We were not in a hurry because I was still studying when we got married. It was only after I graduated that we went to see the doctor to discuss our options.
“When we went to see the doctor he said the first step was to take the fertility pill, then ovarian drilling, then IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) and finally IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation),” says Munirah.
She needn't have worried because she became pregnant soon after starting to take the fertility pill to induce ovulation.
They were pleased, naturally. “After one and a half years, we had three babies on the way! I was 25 years old then and I was not scared but actually looking forward to it.
“I always wanted twins so I was happy when I heard I was having triplets. I have always been fascinated to see twins – a girl and a boy. So, when I found out I was having two girls and a boy, I thought, better still!”
Both her parents have twins in their family.
The blogger, part-time photographer and stay-at-home mum was elated.
Although Munirah and her husband were going to a private hospital then, the doctor was kind enough to inform them of the cost involved when having multiple births because there was a high chance they would be premature and need special care.
Munirah was then referred to a government hospital. In fact, she had only one checkup at the government hospital. Before the date of her second checkup, she went into labour.
Unfortunately, she was not aware she was having contractions as she had no clue what period pains felt like.
At 26 weeks, Munirah felt some discomfort one night. Her husband, a pilot, was in Melbourne, Australia, at the time. Thinking it was nothing urgent, Munirah decided not to make a fuss and go to the hospital, fearing the nurses would chide her for not being able to withstand a little discomfort.
“I thought it was just the normal pregnancy symptoms because I had backache and prior to that it was always like a washing machine in my tummy because I was carrying triplets. So, I thought it was one of the normal discomforts,” she explains.
However, the next morning when she did go to the hospital with her mother, Munirah was informed that she was already 9cm dilated!
Arrival of the triplets
Harith was 760g, Alesya was 564g and Athirah was 600g.
Alesya did not make it. She passed away on the third day.
“Alesya was the smallest of the three and she left us on the third day. I kept blaming myself for losing her because I should have gone to the hospital earlier. If I had gone early, they would have been able to give me the injection to strengthen the lungs of my babies but I didn't even know I was having contractions then ….
“On the day of her funeral, I wanted to be discharged so I could go to the cemetery but the doctors and nurses said it was better for me to stay in the hospital as my two babies needed me more than my deceased child. So, I stayed on at the hospital and when my hubby came back from the funeral, it was almost as if Harith and Athirah knew that their sister had died because they both started tearing up.
“Maybe they could sense the loss of their sister.
“I was in tears too, but when I saw them crying, I told myself I had to be strong for them.
“In a way, the doctors were good; they didn't give us false hope. They said the chances of all our babies surviving were slim. So, I was prepared,” she explains.
Taking care of two
Harith was in the hospital for 99 days.
Athirah was in the hospital for four months because she initially had a hole in her heart and it took time for the hole to close. In fact, she was almost scheduled for an operation at IJN (National Heart Institute) but thankfully the hole closed on its own.
Munirah did not room in at the hospital, choosing instead to visit her babies in the mornings and evenings.
When she first saw her babies she didn't know if she could touch them as they were so delicate. Harith's head was as small as a tennis ball.
“The nurses kept telling us to touch them and talk to them. My first thought was, won't I break them?
“The nurses were very helpful and supportive. They encouraged us to massage Harith and Athirah so that's what we did all the time. It's a good thing I wasn't working so I could spend so much time there,” says Munirah.
Win a prize this Mother's Day by subscribing to our annual plan now! T&C applies.
