Alyssa Fritzlaff
MORWELL locals Jessica, 33, and Anthony Morris, 37, welcomed three little miracles into the world earlier this year.
Aurora, Jayden and Jordan were born on January 25, just after 11.40am at Monash Hospital in Clayton.
Currently, the triplets are staying at Latrobe Regional Hospital, where their doting parents and hospital staff keep a close eye on them.
They spend their days peacefully napping in colour coordinated blankets printed with their names, something the couple prepared well in advance.
The boys are identical twins, while Aurora is fraternal. The three were conceived through IVF, which the couple had been doing for a few years.
“We’ve been doing IVF for three years, and this was our eighth transfer and 10th and 11th embryo,” Jessica said.
“We went for our seven week scan, and the lady said I can see two heartbeats, but I think there’s another one in there.”
The couple were shocked by this realisation, and knew they had a lot to prepare before the triplets arrival.
“We set up the nursery at about 18 weeks, so we’ve got three cots, three bassinets, three car seats, two pram – and we had everything done by about 20 weeks,” Jessica said.
“We went to Baby Bunting, and said ‘I’m having triplets’, can you help me out – and they gave me a good deal. So I’ve got a double pram and a single pram.”
“We had to buy a new car and make sure everything fit.”
Jessica carried the triplets for 32 weeks and one day and had them delivered by Caesarean.
The couple said one of the hardest things about their experience has not being able to have people come and meet the triplets in the hospital.
“When they were born, no one knew their names – we kept their names a secret. Once we had them and I could go visit them, we video called the girls first to introduce them,” Jessica said.
Jessica said it was strange not having her mother at the hospital, as she had accompanied her during birth to her first two children, Olivia and Audrey – now 13 and 10-years-old.
These are Anthony’s first children, and the support he and Jessica have received has been amazing.
“We stayed at the Ronald McDonald House for nearly three weeks – that was really good,” he said.
Anthony works at Loy Yang power station, and Jessica works at ANZ Bank.
Jessica explained that her sister will be moving into the family home to give them a hand with things like school runs.
Both parents’ mothers live nearby and will be giving them a helping hand as well.
The couple are also in contact with Casey & District Multiple Birth Association for additional support.
Anthony said they are excited to eventually bring them home, but are anticipating many sleepless nights.
For now, the triplets are continuing their hospital stay at Latrobe Regional Hospital, while adjusting to life in the big wide world.
