A primary school teacher who was pregnant twice during lockdown has given birth to four babies – in less than a year.
Jessica Pritchard, 31, gave birth to her second daughter Mia in May 2020 and then welcomed triplets into the world in April – just 11 months later.
Three bouncing bundles of joy – Ella, George and Olivia – were born weighing 2lb 9oz, 3lb 11oz and 3lb 13oz respectively.
Jessica, who also has an eight-year-old daughter, Molly, said she and partner Harry Williams, 34, were left ‘speechless’ when they found out they were expecting triplets.
But she said the couple feel “so lucky and blessed” with their new additions even though it means they now have five children under the age of eight.
She said: “It has been a bit of a whirlwind 12 months, we had a lockdown baby and then three more.
“Meal times are fun because they all need feeding at the same time.
“Apart from it taking longer to feed, there are also three nappies to change instead of one.
“I just need to be more organised, but I’m quite an organised person as it is.”
Jessica was still on maternity leave after Mia’s birth when she discovered she was pregnant again in October 2020.
Because of Covid restrictions, Jessica had to go for her scan alone and broke the triplets news to Harry when she arrived home.
She said: “I was on my own at the scan because of Covid rules and the sonographer initially said I was having twins, which was a shock in itself but then she carried on looking and said she had found a third.
“I was speechless. I could not really believe it at first.
“I waited until I got home to tell Harry as he was with the girls and with it being very early days and because of potential complications with triplets, I didn’t want to say in front of them.
“When I did tell him he was also speechless.
“I don’t think he believed me until I showed him the scan picture, he was very excited.
“It was a big shock, but every pregnancy is a blessing so we consider ourselves very blessed.”
The triplets were delivered at 31 weeks as a precaution and spent seven weeks in neo-natal care before being able to go home last month.
They are now settling in the family home in Sheffield, South Yorks., where Molly is enjoying being a big sister to her four younger siblings.
George now weighs 10.11lb, while Olivia is 8.11lb and Ella 7lb exactly.
Jessica added: “We’ve had them all home together for a couple of weeks and Molly loves being a big sister.
“She adores them all. She’s such a good sister and wants to help all of the time.
“The triplets are in a really good routine and I’m quite organised normally anyway so it has gone well so far since they came home.”
Jessica was full of praise for NHS staff at Sheffield Hospital’s Jessop Wing.
She added: “I was there most of the time but with an 11 month old I was also needed at home which was difficult, but the staff made it as easy for me as they possibly could, reassuring me, sending pictures, updates and answering any questions I had at all.
“They were also very mindful and understanding that we had multiples and did their best to ensure they were together as much as possible to make things easier, even though at times they had different needs, which made a world of difference.”
