Allana Allard, a 29-year-old woman from Davistown, New South Wales, Australia, couldn’t contain her joy when she discovered she was pregnant with her first child in October 2019. Allana and her husband Tim, 31, had only been trying to conceive for two weeks before the positive result appeared on a home pregnancy test.
The couple eagerly attended their first ultrasound appointment when Allana was six weeks pregnant, excited to catch a glimpse of their growing baby. However, their expectations were surpassed when they received surprising news—the sound of not one, but three tiny heartbeats.
Allana and Tim were dumbfounded to learn that they were expecting identical triplets, as there was no history of multiple births in either of their families. This unexpected revelation left them in awe and filled them with both excitement and a hint of nervousness as they prepared to expand their family by three.
The journey of Allana’s pregnancy took an unexpected turn when the COVID-19 pandemic began to unfold, causing widespread lockdowns and strict safety measures. These restrictions meant that Tim was not allowed to accompany Allana to important appointments, leaving her to attend them alone. Additionally, once the triplets were born in May 2020, the couple faced another hurdle—no family members were permitted to visit the babies during their three-week stay at the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). These restrictions deeply saddened Allana, as her 82-year-old grandmother, who usually traveled from Scotland to visit them in Australia, had to postpone her trip indefinitely. The pandemic had a profound impact on the couple’s experience of their first pregnancy, making it a challenging and isolating time.
Initially, Allana and Tim believed that two of their sons were identical while the third was fraternal. The babies grew in different sacs and placentas, leading them to assume they were not genetically identical. However, a DNA test conducted six weeks after the birth revealed that all three boys were, in fact, genetically identical. This unexpected news left the parents amazed and grateful for the confirmation.
Now, as the triplets approach their six-month milestone, Allana and Tim have settled into a routine and find immense joy in their family of five. Allana reflects on her pregnancy with awe, still amazed that she carried three babies in her belly. Despite the challenges and tripled expenses, the couple embraces the blessings of having triplets and wouldn’t trade their experience for anything else. Everywhere they go in town, they attract attention due to their large pram, which carries their three little ones.
The story of Allana and Tim’s journey to parenthood is unique and filled with unexpected twists and turns. From the joy of discovering triplets during their first ultrasound to navigating the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, they have experienced both the highs and lows of starting a family. Through it all, their love and gratitude shine brightly as they embrace the blessings that come with being the parents of identical triplet boys.
