A MATERNITY hospital in Ireland has delivered a unique set of quadruplets, triplets, twins and singles – all in the space of a single month.
Medical staff at University Maternity Hospital Limerick’s neonatal unit have been kept busy caring for the children since they arrived en masse in October.
The quads were born on October 5 to a Lisa Fenton of Caherconlish, Co. Limerick, whom the hospital says “made a little bit of history” – her little quartet being the first born in Limerick in 50 years.
Newborns Alexander, Ashley, Kayla and Maxwell are Lisa and her partner Wayne Downey’s first children and have been doing “very well” according to a hospital spokesman.
If the prospect of caring for the foursome wasn’t already daunting enough for the Limerick maternity team, triplets Dáire, Liam and Aisling Cussen were born on October 27 to parents Olive and William.
The trio are doing well and “will soon be strong enough to go home to Raheen, Co. Limerick,” the spokesman added.
Twins Ashton and Leo Mulcahy helped bring the baby count to nine after their birth on October 13 to parents Lydia and Calum from nearby Annacotty.
Photographer PJ Corbett captured the newborns in a special picture – but not before a singleton was chosen to make the line up 4,3,2,1.
Little Maggie Roche of Charleville, Co. Cork was selected and all 10 babies were brought together to take the special snap.
Clinical nurse manager, Marie Carroll said all at the hospital were thrilled to get the babies together for an unforgettable picture.
“Christmas has come early for some families this year. All 10 of them are doing well and should hopefully be back at home with their families before December 25,” she said.
“It was amazing to get all 10 babies together”.
Consultant neonatologist Roy Philip said the occasion had brought "great joy” to maternity staff.
“It is a happy coincidence also to have them all here together as we get ready to mark World Prematurity Day on November 11,” he added.
Good luck, mums and dads.
