My story: I ended up giving birth to my triplets, but lost two babies

Every expectant mother longs and prays for a smooth sailing journey of pregnancy that will enable her bring forth the most treasured part of her life - her baby.

For some mothers, the journey into bringing forth life is a smooth one, devoid of any complications. However, others are not as fortunate and have to endure a series of complications before they finally get to take their baby home from hospital.

This is the story of 27-year-old Marble Nyahela Segero, a high school teacher, whose motherhood journey has been marred by both special and sad moments.

Born and raised in Nairobi at a place called Trench, situated in Kangemi, Marble went through what she describes as a comfortable life.

"Life in Trench was awesome. Our parents ensured that we never lacked anything," says the second born among five siblings.

She attended school at Loresho Primary and later joined Hospital Hill High School for her O-levels. She later joined the University of Nairobi, Kikuyu Campus to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Education Arts. It is here that she met her husband in 2008, and that would mark the beginning of their love story that would later culminate into marriage.

"Just like any girl, while growing up, I knew that one day I wanted to settle down and raise a family of my own. And when I met my husband back then in our university years - I was a first year while he was in his third year of study - I was sure that he was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with," says Marble.

They were still dating when she got pregnant with her first born in October 2010. They decided to settle down.

"I was 21 at that time. I had no idea how to would raise a child but I figured that when I gave birth, everything would fall into place," she says.

"My journey into motherhood has been one to remember always. My first pregnancy happened when I was only 21 years old. It was one peaceful pregnancy till the end when I gave birth to a baby girl, Angel, weighing 4.1kgs through caesarean section," says Marble.

"However, with my second pregnancy, things weren't the same. I discovered I was pregnant with triplets at seven weeks into the pregnancy. I felt some sharp pain which prompted me to pay a visit to a gynaecologist. I was advised to undergo a scan and that is when I knew I was carrying triplets," she says.

The news came as a shock  to her. "I had no idea how I was going to handle triplets. My husband on the other hand was excited. He loves babies and would always talk to them while they were still in the womb and had names for each of them," she says.

Marble experienced severe nausea which lasted for five months. She could not sit nor sleep due to endless muscle pain. Her friend Delphine who is also a mother of twins added her to a WhatsApp group for mothers with multiples and, through it, she was able to gain valuable information that helped her through the pregnancy.

Twenty weeks into the pregnancy, she one day woke up in labour and by the time she got to hospital, she had a 6cm dilation.

"That is how I ended up giving birth to my triplets - a boy and two girls - who were born premature. They weighed 1.2kg, 0.8kg and 0.6kg respectively. Unfortunately, I lost the boy shortly after birth and, 14 days later, I lost one of my identical girls through apnea attack (a condition in which premature infants stop breathing for 15 to 20 seconds during sleep). I was then left with the smallest triplet, baby Patience and indeed she was patient and had the will to live," she explains.

Losing her two children proved to be tough for Marble and her husband, but their only surviving triplet made them stronger.

"It was the hardest thing I have ever experienced in my life. When you lose a child, you lose part of your soul. I went into denial such that I was almost giving up on my only surviving triplet. I would cry endless tears whenever I was left alone. But on one particular day, I woke up and while listening to the radio, the song 'Wewe ni Zaidi by Eric Smith was playing," Marble says.

The message in that song sunk into my heart and ignited a new wave of strength in me. I would listen to it daily and pray. And from then on, I knew I had to remain strong for Patience," says Marble.

According to Marble, doctors discovered she had an infection because her baby boy's amniotic fluid was leaking yet she thought it was discharge. That is what triggered the premature labour.

"It wasn't easy watching Patience fight for life not knowing what would happen next. She was so fragile but she kept smiling. She stayed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for two months and was discharged when weighing 2.1kg," she says.

Marble says taking care of her surviving triplet has not been easy. Since birth, she has undergone six blood transfusions. She is also on several supplements including Saferon, Zedcal and Arbivit Vitamin D.

"I had to learn how to feed her through her feeding tube after every three hours to minimise chances of infection. Two weeks after discharge we were back in hospital. She was diagnosed with bronco pneumonia and malaria. Financially, my husband and I drained both our medical covers and our savings got exhausted. We had to ask the public for help through social media to assist us in clearing the hospital bill," says Marble.

"Rarely do I get visitors neither do I take her to public places so as to prevent her from getting sick. I have to keep her warm always and ensure that her feeding bottles are sterile," she adds.

Patience, one beautiful and bubbly baby, is now six months old and weighs 7kgs. According to Marble, Angel her eldest daughter adores her baby sister and is so protective of her. Marble says she has been lucky to have a good househelp who has been taking care of the baby.

"She is heaven sent. She is a fast learner and loves Patience as her own child. She understands that the baby requires special care hence observes high standards of hygiene. While at work, I am always in constant communication with her to ensure that the baby is fine," Marble says.

For Marble, it has taken courage and faith to see to it that Patience grows well. She is forever grateful for the support of her husband, family, friends and even strangers who have been there for them, offering help whenever needed.

"One thing I have learnt from the whole experience is that no man is an island. In this life, we all need each other in one way or another," she says.

"No woman is an expert when it comes to motherhood. We are always learning new things since every baby is different. It is not easy taking care of a premature baby, but God has a plan for every baby that is born. No matter the situation, never lose hope," says Marble.