1. In-vitro triplets of mom, 51, go home
March 22, 1996|By Linell Smith | Linell Smith,SUN STAFF
Most new mothers don't take their babies home in a stretch limousine trailed by
camera crews. Then again, most aren't 51 when they give birth to triplets.
When Vivian McDonnell and her husband,Sean, took their 2-week-old infants home
from Union Memorial Hospital yesterday, they left in style after being applauded by
a crowd that included a representative from the governor's office as well as local
and national reporters.
The Bel Air couple made news March 4, when Vivian McDonnell became one of the
oldest women in America to give birth. Because Mrs. McDonnell was post-
menopausal, her 31-year-old daughter from a previous marriage donated eggs,
which were fertilized and then implanted into Mrs. McDonnell's hormonally
prepared uterus. The couple used Union Memorial's in-vitro fertilization program.
Mrs. McDonnell gave birth by Caesarean section when the babies were 32 weeks
old. Yesterday, first-time father Sean McDonnell said he was prepared to stay up
all night to tend to the needs of his offspring. "I'm getting into that bonding thing,"
he told his tiny son Cole as he rocked him. "Huh, pal? You think that's funny?"
The triplets, who are being fed formula, have regained at least their birth weights
of 4 pounds, 3 1/4 ounces; 4 pounds, 7 3/4 ounces; and 3 pounds, 13 1/2 ounces
after the normal initial weight loss. Baby Sean will require a heart monitor for
several weeks to track his breathing patterns, said Dr. Ajay Verma, who treated the
infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. The triplets will return to the hospital for
a check-up next week.
Mr. McDonnell works as a mortgage banker for Integrity Mortgage Company; his
wife works from home as a certified public accountant. They plan to take care of
the babies themselves, without paid help. "Everything that we've done from Day
One in reference to this we've done together," Mrs. McDonnell said. "And we'll
continue that pattern." They do expect family members and friends to pitch in,
however. Mrs. McDonnell said she has also picked up tips from triplet moms she
has met through the hospital and national organizations.
Mr. McDonnell, who has described himself as "just a guy from Govans," often
wrestled with his emotions.
When attorney Stuart Blatt announced the creation of a college tuition trust fund
for the children, he jiggled one leg up and down like someone trying to conquer a
big lump in his throat. "I've said my wife's done something remarkable.
And if it gives someone else an ounce of hope, it's worth it, he said, gazing at the
sweet sleeping face of his daughter Harper.
"Because this can happen." Pub Date: 3/22/96