Photo Credit: St. Luke's Health-The Woodlands HospitalHealth
Triplets thrive in Level III NICU at St. Luke’s Health-The Woodlands Hospital
As one of seven kids, Tristyn Descisciolo grew up dreaming of having a big family of her own. That wish came true when she learned that she and her husband, Michael, would soon welcome triplets into their family.
Tristyn, alreadythe proud mom of a 2-year-old son, suspected she was pregnant when she and Michael went for an ultrasound at The Family Birthing Center at St. Luke’s Health-The Woodlands Hospital. The couple was ecstatic to see twins on the ultrasound, but what happened next was a real surprise.
There was a slight delay while OBGYN Christina Frome continued the ultrasound. Dr. Frome looked carefully at the monitor, which revealed a third fetus. There were no triplets in the couple’s family history, and Tristyn had not taken fertility treatments.
“It was the craziest, most exciting, nerve-wracking moment, with so many thoughts rushing through my head,” a delighted Tristyn recalled.
At The Birthing Center, all triplet deliveries are considered high-risk. “Multiple gestation pregnancies carry an increased risk of preterm birth. As the uterus grows, there is an increased risk of contractions, gestational diabetes and problems with the development of high blood pressure, called preeclampsia,” Dr. Frome explained. The Descisciolo triplets were the first to be born at St. Luke’s Health-The Woodlands Hospital in many years.
The Maternal Fetal Medicine team also initiated a rigorous protocol of monitoring and doctors’ visits every few days. “They really stayed in communication with me from the beginning. They arranged a tour beforehand and I met with the director, my doctor, and the leaders of the teams. It helped me tremendously and made me feel more comfortable,” Tristyn said.
Since Tristyn is just 5 feet tall and 105 pounds, the team paid close attention to her nutrition and to how her body was adjusting to carrying triplets. She was advised to eat as much as she could and eventually developed gestational diabetes, which was successfully managed.
According to Dr. Frome, it is common for moms carrying multiples to deliver early. The normal term for one baby is 37-40 weeks but much earlier for triplets. The plan was to deliver the babies by C-section before the 36th week. Each infant had their own team (usually 3-4 people) to evaluate them at the time of delivery. They would then be cared for at least until their 40th week in the hospital’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The Level III NICU is equipped with advanced respiratory support, comprehensive monitoring and a highly trained, specialized staff to care for newborns.
On February 2, 2024, 32 weeks into her pregnancy, Tristyn and Michael welcomed three beautiful girls into the world: Elle (3lbs 1oz), Sage (3lbs 10oz), and Dani (2lbs 13oz).
Ellie and Dani went home after 28 days, and Sage arrived after 52 days in the NICU after receiving treatment for reflux.
“Everything went great from my end,” Tristyn said. ‘It was pretty seamless.” She appreciated the additional support they were receiving in the NICU. “Because we needed it, and they knew that. They were really great,” Tristyn said.
The girls are almost two years old now, and this family of six keeps an active schedule. The Descisciolos still keep in touch with some members of the NICU team, who fondly remember them as “the triplet family” that made history at St. Luke’s Health-The Woodlands Hospital.
Source: St. Luke’s Health-The Woodlands Hospital
