HIRD

The Hird girls who were born to Greater Portmore couple, Keshia and Reginald Hird, last Thursday are said to be progressing well, despite a few minor setbacks, according to the quadruplets' father.

Speaking with The Gleaner yesterday from the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), where the 32-year-old first-time father has basically set up camp over the past few weeks, he said two of the four girls were recently placed on ventilators.

Minimal supplemental oxygen

On Thursday, Dr Shaun Wynter, consultant obstetrician, had said that the babies, born at 31 1/2 weeks, were breathing independently with minimal supplemental oxygen. However, Mr Hird yesterday said baby one had to be placed on ventilator on Saturday and baby two on Sunday as a result of difficulties with their lungs.

"Baby one is doing better since she has been placed on the ventilator," he said. "The doctors will have to wait until tomorrow (monday) to make a determination as to how baby two is doing.

"The other two were throwing up a little bit yesterday (Saturday), but they are also doing much better now as well," he added. Baby three, who had been born slightly anaemic, is also showing progress. "She was given blood and she's responding favourably to that," said Mr Hird.

Mrs Hird is still hospitalised in stable condition, her husband said yesterday.

According to medical officials at the UHWI, the quadruplets will be kept at the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit for another month. Dr Wynter on Thursday said that a rule of thumb recommends the babies should generally remain under medical observation until the 36th week.

The proud father also told The Gleaner that he has since been bombarded with calls from well-wishers and individuals interested in making donations to the family.

"I've been so busy and distracted that I have not been able to finalise anything as yet," he said. "But we are very grateful for the response."