June 28th 2023.
Monique Bertrand, 38, from Lewisham, was over the moon when she fell pregnant naturally with triplets after being told she would likely never have children of her own due to the severity of her polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Monique said: "I waited a long time to be a mum so when the sonographer said it was triplets I just shouted in confusion and happiness. I burst into tears when I learnt I was having three babies. It's been a blessing with so many challenges. The doctors called them miracle babies."
Monique's difficult journey to motherhood began when she was just 28 and diagnosed with PCOS. She said: "I kept having a lot of pain during ovulation and my period, and was getting a bit sick. My GP sent me for a scan and did tests to rule out everything else, and after that called me to discuss."
After meeting her partner John in 2016, Monique - who felt there was 'no hope' that she would have children - told him about her fertility issues a year later. The couple fell pregnant unexpectedly for the first time in November 2019, but sadly Monique suffered a miscarriage in February 2020.
The couple decided that, if they had not had not conceived within the next two years, they would foster. But then, when lockdown hit, following advice from one of the midwives treating her, Monique decided to try and lose weight. Going from 18st 8lbs to 12st 5lbs in just one year, she was delighted to find out she was pregnant in April 2022.
At eight weeks Monique began to bleed and rushed to hospital. She said: "The sonographer asked if we'd done IVF. After we said no, she told us it was triplets. I just burst into tears on the table. To have three was a lot to take in. I called my mum that day to tell her, and she thought I was pranking her."
Despite being diagnosed with pregnancy induced hypoglycemia, Monique managed to hold a baby shower on October 15, 2022. The couple were then told one of their daughters, Trinity, was at risk as her umbilical cord wasn't working properly. Doctors offered them an abortion to secure the health of the two healthy triplets - but Monique refused.
Monique, John and her mum, Judith, 56, all released a confetti cannon each, two pink and one blue to represent the triplets. At 30 weeks, she developed pre-eclampsia and so was rushed for an emergency caesarean. Doctors delivered Lylah, Machó and Trinity via c-section on 9 November 2022.
The triplets spent just under two months in hospital before returning home on December 29, 2022 - almost two months after they were born. Despite being overjoyed to have her children home, Monique found the transition 'difficult'.
The triplets, now six months, are thriving and forming their own personalities. Monique said: "Lylah is the smiler, she's the elder sister, and barely cries, she's just so sweet. Machó is like all men, very needy. He always wants me to pick him up and is mummy's boy toy. Trinity is the lioness and well beyond her months. She's the one who is the most intellectual and is trying to crawl."
Monique and John's story is one of hope and resilience. They have shown that with a positive outlook and determination, anything is possible. To keep up to date with the family, follow them on Instagram @ferreira_triplets.
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