Kisumu widow is mom of twins and triplets

 Millicent Atieno (center) is attended to by nurses at Kisumu County Referral Hospital after giving birth to triplets

It is every woman’s dream to have a child. And it’s even more satisfying when that blessing comes in doubles or triples.

But the gift can be a little overwhelming when you already have too many children - after all every birth adds to the number of mouths to be fed, that’s besides the cost of healthcare and other necessities like clothing and schooling.

Millicent Atieno, 36, who hails from Dunga estate in Kisumu County, found herself in this situation. The triplets she delivered were welcomed to the world with mixed emotions.

Atieno, who already has four children, could not hide her worries when The Nairobian paid her a visit at the hospital. It’s not the first time Atieno is having a multiple birth. She has had fraternal twins, but one unfortunately passed away. The remaining twin is 14 years old.

“I gave birth to my first-born child in 1995, then twins and another child in 2003, followed by yet another baby later on. I now have seven children,” she revealed.

Atieno’s husband reportedly died four years ago and the pregnancy that bore the triplets was by another man. She says she was surprised by the news of the triplets when she visited the hospital in February.

“That is when I got the shock of my life. I was not aware that I was pregnant because I had been on a five-year implant contraception. An ultra-sound was done and it was revealed that I was seven months pregnant with triplets,” she recalls.

This was a health risk since she had low blood count and had to get a transfusion.

She later developed high blood pressure, probably due to stress and worrying over the new additions to an already big family. She was admitted at the hospital for two weeks, and  advised to check-in in March to avoid complications.

“I was advised to stay in the hospital until I deliver in order to save the lives of my children,” she says.

After delivery, her babies were taken to the nursery to ensure the youngest, that weighed 1.5 kilos (the other two weighed 2.5 and 2.7 kilos) grew well,  and also enable her to breastfeed the babies. This is because Atieno also has a fractured hand following an accident involving a public service vehicle at Kombewa area of Kisumu that left six people dead.

Ever since, Atieno who previously owned a food kiosk in the estate where she lives, has not been able to work. She has been relying on friends and relatives for survival and upkeep of her family.

“I thank God for choosing me to give birth to these children. But I really do not know how I will fend for this additional number of children,” Atieno says.

She says that on being informed the delivery would be through a caeserian, she wished she could die during surgery. She says she does not feel so well because every three hours she has to breastfeed the newborns at the nursery.

Atieno who is an orphan asked for help saying that she would appreciate any assistance accorded to her children.

 

“I will appreciate any assistance for my children, treatment of my fractured hand and to set up a business like selling of charcoal” she says.

The maternity wing nursing officer at the hospital, Seraphine Ogutu, says she has not seen any relatives coming to visit or Atieno, save for church members.

The tendency to have non-identical twins (resulting from two separate eggs),  is linked to the high production of eggs, which is a genetic trait. On the other hand, becoming pregnant with identical twins is caused by the chance event of a single egg splitting into two. There is a fairly high chance that a mother who has given birth to non-identical twins will become pregnant with another set.