KOTA KINABALU: After four years of trying, Rena Kashelda Diego and Adam Singh Chal received news that they were to be parents.
Little did they suspect that their bundle of joy would come as a set of three.
The 39-year-old first-time mother said she had suffered several miscarriages before.
“We were determined with this pregnancy. I found out I was having twins in my eighth week," Rena recalled when interviewed for Mother's Day on Sunday (May 12).
"Four weeks later, I went to the doctor again. At first, I panicked because he looked puzzled, and called a nurse for a second opinion.
“I kept asking why because I feared the worst. I was not ready for another miscarriage. He then turned the ultrasound monitor towards me and asked me to count the dots.
“He told us that I was pregnant with triplets. I was lost for words and Adam’s legs suddenly became so weak that he had to sit down,” she said.
She added that initially, she went to a private clinic, but after learning that she was going to have triplets, she was advised to go to the government hospital instead because multiple pregnancies can be risky.
“I have nothing but praise for the doctors and nurses at the Likas Hospital. Naming one in particular would not be enough, they were all kind.
"They were very thorough with me and my babies, not because I am a special case for having triplets, but for just being an expectant mother. They do the same for others too," she said.
Rena endured the “mother of all morning sicknesses” for at least five months, and admitted that it was a rough pregnancy.
“At week 28, my tummy grew so huge, like a nine months' pregnant belly, that the doctors advised that I should be warded. I tried to find a way out, but gave in when they told me that it was for the sake of my babies.”
Just a day before her 29th week, Rena experienced severe contractions and was placed under close observation. At that time, she said, her babies were in a "yin and yang" position.
On May 1 last year, the proud parents welcomed daughters Margaret Maria, born at 10.36am, weighing 1.05kg; followed by Myrakell Edriadne a minute later weighing 1.2kg; and son Markell Diego, 1.3kg, at 10.38am.
“I underwent caesarean delivery because my girls were in a breech position. There were three incubators waiting for my babies because they were premature.
"It was later discovered that Markell had some complications with his lungs. Thankfully, he has recovered well now," she said, adding that they could only take the children home after two months when doctors were satisfied with their condition.
The next three months were also hard because they did not have anyone to help.
"It was just Adam and I, and sometimes my mother in the day. At night, it was the two of us with the three cranky babies,” said Rena, adding that she breastfed her babies until they were eight months old.
She said Margaret, Myrakell and Markell were the second set of triplets welcomed by the Likas Women and Children’s Hospital, the first being born eight years ago.
The working parents – Rena is a government servant while Adam, 42, owns a business – said they decided to get helpers to handle the babies.
“We started with one, but she nearly quit because it was a handful. Then we took another one, but that was still not enough. So now we have three helpers.”
The trio even have their own TikTok account #KakayTriplets, set up to document their journey, which has now gone viral.
She said the children set a record in her family. She was the first to have triplets, and her daughters are the first identical twins.
“My father’s brothers are twins and I have five sets of twin cousins, who are all fraternal twins,” she explained.
Looking ahead, Rena and Adam just want the best for their children.
“I will give the world to them, they are my life. I want them to stay healthy and grow up to be good human beings,” she said.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
