The corridors of the Western Regional Hospital were abuzz with excitement this morning at the news that triplets were delivered for the first time in the hospital's 41 year history! 3 healthy identical baby girls delivered by caesarean section were announced to proud parents Irene Cecilia Garcia and Alfred Avilez.
And the girls are already celebrities!
Media Houses that are usually barred from the hospital, were welcomed in to a full-fledged press conference and Seven News was there.
Jim McFadzean Reporting
Only a few hours after making their grand entrance into the world, the three sisters have already become media darlings, while mom and dad, well, they are still trying to take it all in.
Irene Cecilia Garcia - Mother of the Triplets
"I couldn't imagine having 3 babies."
Alfred Avilez - Father of the Triplets
"First thing, I want to give thanks to God because he is the one who takes care of us and everybody, and I felt nervous and excited when I heard the new in Luma Luz. Then I spoke to my wife, and I told her that it's a big blessing; it's 3 girls. First time in my life I will see 3 girls - triplets - and I think it's also the first time in my family."
Hospital administration and staff greeted the consecutive deliveries at 9:41, 9:54, and 9:56 with great enthusiasm and were visibly elated at this important moment in its history.
Pearl Ellis - Regional Health Manager
"I must say that as soon as we learned about the case, we were all thrilled - excited - because this is the first for Belmopan. It's the first for us here."
The successful c-section delivery has placed a bright spotlight on an institution of which there is often a dim public view.
Dr. Melhem Ayala - Physician That Delivered Triplets
"The mother is doing very well. Everything went fine without any complications. She started here with us doing her periodic checkups from April. And in July, it was when we found out through an ultrasound that she was having triplets. So we did all her follow-ups through our high-risk clinic at Western Regional Hospital."
Dr. Edna Mendez - Triplets Pediatrician
"Taking into consideration that they are triplets, normally these babies are very small babies. They don't really reach full-term pregnancy. These were 37 weeks - almost a full-term pregnancy and they're triplets, so they have a very good weight taking into consideration that they are triplets."
Pearl Ellis - Regional Health Manager
"We wanted to ensure that there is a safe delivery, and so everybody cooperated well. I must applaud a staff here, doctors, nurses, both in the operating theatre as well as in the ward - everyone had really put in their work here pound here. So much so, the staff had also decided to put together funds and purchased gifts."
Bernadette Wade Rivas - Matron, Western Regional Hospital
"I think that the good outcome that we have today, is a testament to the teamwork that we have at Western Regional Hospital. From the time that the mother started at the clinic, we have been working as a team, and I think that this is why we have a good outcome today."
Jim McFadzean
"Do you have plans for more kids?"
Alfred Avilez
"More kids - there's no other choice, so stop right there. There are no more choices."
Renata, Racquel and Rebecca weighed in at 4 and a half, four and a quarter, and four pounds. The girls will now share a home in St. Matthew's Village with Mom, Dad and their 5 year old and 2 year old sisters!
The parents welcome any assistance and have asked that anyone who would like to contact them can call 660-6866...
