When Tom and Jackie Ochenkowski found out they were expecting, they were ecstatic and couldn’t wait to tell their daughter Brooke that she’d be a big sister. But at her eight-week ultrasound appointment, Jackie found out they were getting a three-for-one deal.
On May 18, 2016 at 32 weeks, Jackie gave birth to her triplet daughters ― Aubrey, Bailey and Charlotte ― via C-section.Each newborn weighed three pounds and spent two to three months in the neonatal intensive care unit. JoAnn Marrero, a photojournalist from Connecticut, captured their visit.
This is a rare case of natural triplets without medical intervention in the world. Happiness is simple; parents can tolerate all of their hard work just by glancing at their children’s clear smiles.
Hopefully, the photo series will inspire and help parents who are raising young children, especially triplets, to feel more motivated and continue to work hard on the journey of taking care of babies, although it’s hard. This is also very sweet.
The months leading up to the triplets’ birth were a whirlwind. Marrero said: “At that time, Tom had just started his new business, and they were busy building their new home. Tom worked nonstop so they could be in their new home before the baby’s arrival, while Jackie went to the doctor for her eight-week ultrasound on her own.”
At her eight-week ultrasound appointment, she was shocked when the doctor told her she was having spontaneous identical triplets (meaning there were no fertility enhancements involved) ― an incredibly rare phenomenon.
Due to the high risk of having two amniotic sacs and one placenta, Jackie was referred to a specialized doctor and entered the hospital at 25 weeks for continuous monitoring until the birth.
The photographer captured the triplets’ experience in the NICU after they were born. Within days or weeks of each other, the babies were sent home. Jackie’s first time holding all three newborns was captured by Marrero.
“Tom and Jackie feel blessed to have an amazing outcome with all the babies and they are thriving”.
The couple is also grateful for the support of their family, who do everything they can to help out.
