British triplets break records for most premature birth and lightest ever weight
A set of British triplets have been officially recorded as the most premature in the world and the lightest ever – weighing a tiny 2lb 13oz combined.
Parents Michaela White, 32, and Jay Hopkins, 36, from Bristol, welcomed Rubi-Rose, Payton Jane and Porscha-Mae Hopkins at 22 weeks and five days gestation on Valentines Day 2021.
Rubi-Rose arrived first at 10.33am, weighing just 1lb (467g).
Payton Jane and Porscha-Mae followed at 12.01pm and 12.02pm, delivered by emergency caesarean section weighing 0.89lb (402g) and 0.91lb (415g) respectively.
Michaela only discovered she was pregnant at 19 weeks – describing the ‘shock’ of realising she was expecting triplets.
She gave birth just three weeks later, aided by an expert army of 21 doctors and nurses and with Jay by her side.
The record-breaking siblings have just celebrated their second birthday with their parents and older siblings, Jamie-Leigh, eight, and Issac, six.
But the family have faced many challenges since their unexpected arrival into the world.
All three triplets were rushed into incubators and swaddled in polythene wrapping which served as a makeshift womb to regulate their body temperature, reducing the risk of hypothermia.
Each baby was required to breathe independently for 10 seconds before medics intervened to provide oxygen.
They all pulled through a critical 72-hour period before spending several months in a neo-natal intensive care (NICU) unit.
Rubi-Rose and Payton-Jane were allowed to leave the NICU in July, with Porscha-Mae discharged from the unit in October 2021.
Michaela and Jay were then thrown into a whirlwind year of hospital appointments, home visits, physio and round the clock care – while juggling their older siblings’ home and school routines.
The triplets have been diagnosed with differing degrees of cerebral palsy with Rubi-Rose able to eat, crawl and walk independently while her sisters have mobility difficulties and need to be fed via a tube.
But they all have their own personalities that bring joy to the whole family.
Rubi-Rose is described as a cheeky, happy-go-lucky and bouncy toddler while Porscha is smiley, cuddly and very loving and Payton knows her mind and will not be swayed.
It is a busy, chaotic but very happy house, with the older siblings doting on the triplets.
Michaela said: ‘It can be really challenging for anyone with disabled children but me and my partner Jay – we just crack on and do what we need for them.’
The couple both lost their jobs in a pub during the pandemic and then were evicted from their flat above before the triplets were born.
Michaela believes the stress of their situation contributed to her early labour.
Jay also battled post-natal depression and PTSD following a traumatic medical emergency with Payton.
The family have documented their journey on Tiktok channel @hopkinstribe, in a bid to raise awareness of the issues they have faced.
Jay also revealed how he is in awe of his partner, hailing Michaela as a ‘wonder mum’.
‘She was my support and was there for me throughout. Michaela is a wonder mum, she is amazing. I love her to bits,’ he said.
Guinness World Records said: ‘We are so happy to award the triplets Rubi-Rose, Payton Jane and Porscha-Mae with their Guinness World Records titles.
‘The girls and their family’s strength, determination and positivity is awe-inspiring.’
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