Tuck Triplets
When Christina and Garret Tuck found out they were expecting triplets, the first-time parents knew they were embarking on a life-changing experience. During a routine prenatal visit, they learned one of the babies was receiving reduced blood flow and another baby’s heart rate was decelerating. The decision was made to do an early delivery, and the babies were born just a few days after Christmas, each one minute apart.
Luke was the first to arrive and weighed 3 lbs. 1.6 oz. Next was Bryce at 3 lbs. 5.4 oz., followed by Orion, the smallest, at 2 lbs. 6.6 oz. Due to their early arrival at 31 weeks and two days, the boys required specialized oxygen support and IV nutrition in the Cottage Children’s Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
The NICU is a Level III unit specifically designed to provide intensive care for babies born prematurely or those with complex medical conditions. This level of specialized care was vital for the Tuck triplets.
“Everyone in the NICU genuinely cared about us like family,” said Christina. “They took a stressful time and made it a lot less stressful.”
The boys are now continuing to grow and thrive at home. They love to “talk” to each other and grab for their toys, and their parents are grateful that they are now on the same sleep schedule. While the boys do everything together in true triplet fashion, their distinct personality traits are now showing through.
“Luke is a big smiler and talker, he’s the most dramatic,” said Christina. “Bryce is our little ham, he’s so funny and hogs phone time with the grandparents. Orion is the strongest and calmest—if we had three Orions, triplets would be a piece of cake!”
Every day, thanks to the generous support of our community, families on the Central Coast can count on Cottage Hospital’s NICU to provide expert care for vulnerable newborns. As the only neonatal surgical facility between Los Angeles and the Bay Area, Cottage Hospital’s NICU is a critical resource for our region.
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