Athaliah Reynolds, Staff Reporter

Keisha Hird surely has has her hands full with her four beauties, (from left) Ruthann-Belle, Isabelle, Annabelle and in front, Gabrielle. - photos by Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore

Most mothers will tell you that the task of raising a child is not only the most important role of their lives, but the hardest and most challenging. It is even more so when you have to raise four girls, all the same age, at the same time!

That's the massive task that now faces Keisha Hird, the mother of quadruplet girls.

For Mrs Hird and her husband Reginald, it has been a 'true challenge.' After six years of marriage and several months of planning, the couple was pleased when doctors informed them that she was pregnant.

However, six weeks into the pregnancy, the couple learnt that they would have their hands full with not one or two, but four babies.

A multiple blessing is what some might call it, but this 'blessing' has since turned into a mammoth task, with multiple diaper changes, multiple baths and multiple feedings.

"It's really been difficult, because everything, including my time and attention, is now split into four," Keisha recently told Flair during a telephone interview.

Ruthann-Belle, Isabelle, Gabrielle and Annabelle Hird first fascinated and warmed the hearts of Jamaicans on January 24 when news of the historic delivery was reported in the media. The girls were delivered by caesarean section at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) by a team of nearly 20 doctors and specialists.

Born at 31 weeks, they weighed 1.1 to 1.6 kilos, however, three months later, after spending a month at the UHWI's neonatal intensive care unit, the babies are home and progressing right on target.

The Hird girls, however, are beginning to be more than a handful for their still delighted but overly stressed mother.

"It's been such a big challenge, especially being a first-time mom, with no experience, but I still try to enjoy every moment of it," Mrs Hird said.

The 31-year-old accounting clerk said each day is filled with its own set of lessons and demands, but the aim is to set a routine. "The hardest thing is to get time for yourself. I don't think I've had a decent day of rest since they came home from the hospital," she explained.

"It can be really frustrating, especially when all four of them decide to start crying at the same time and as they get older, they all seem to want their own space and attention, so you can't even hold two at a time anymore."

Fortunately, the new mom has been getting some assistance from a few family members, including her mother and her husband's sister.

She has also hired the services of two practical nurses who come in daily, one during the mornings and the other at nights.

Typical day

A typical day in the life of the Hirds starts between five and six in the morning. "That's when they normally wake up and are ready to be fed," she said. And unfortunately, all four girls usually awake about the same time.

They usually go back to sleep after being fed and that gives Mrs Hird enough time to go back to sleep, only for a very short while, or to start preparing breakfast.

By 7:00 a.m., Mr Hird, who also attends evening classes, leaves for work. At 8:00 a.m., the girls are awake again, just in time for their second feeding of the morning.

"As soon as you finish feeding all four, it's usually time to start over and feed the first one again," she said. "They are fed at least every three to four hours."

By about 10:00 a.m., the first of the two practical nurses arrive, taking a bit of the load off mommy's hands.

At nights, Mrs Hird says the girls have started to sleep more soundly and "aren't waking up at odd hours anymore".

Cash-strapped

But the Hirds aren't just short on time and rest; they are also strapped for cash. "Financially, it's been very difficult," said Mrs Hird.

The couple has received a few gifts from several organisations and well-wishers. However, many of the promises of donations they received during the first few weeks of the girls' birth have still not materialised.

The Ministry of Health has donated a year's supply of disposable diapers to the family - a contribution for which the Hirds are extremely grateful. "Diapers are really expensive and with four babies, you can imagine just how much we use. We don't know how we will manage after the year is over though," she said.

In the meantime, the Hirds are reluctant to think too much about the future. "It's really overwhelming and scary when you consider that in another few years, they'll be off to school," she said.

"Initially, we had plans of sending our children to prep school, but now that we have four, those plans will have to change," explained Mrs Hird.

For now, the proud mother said she wants to concentrate on her daughters' development and the small miracles she experiences each day.

A joy to watch them

"It's been a joy just watching them develop and sharing each moment with them," she said. "They all have very distinct personalities and their own unique habits."

♥ Ruthann-belle, who is the firstborn, but the last to be released from the hospital, now weighs eight-and-a-half pounds. "She likes to be comforted and craves a lot of attention," said Mrs Hird. "Ruthann can be quiet at times, but when she's hungry, you can hear her holler from way outside," she jokes.

"She also loves when you talk to her and she will also hold up her head to look and listen when she hears people talking."

♥ Isabelle, according to Mrs Hird, is the feistiest or the most restless of the four girls. "She was a nice little girl when she just came home from the hospital but she has changed," Mrs Hird said with a laugh. "She doesn't sleep that much and she also loves a lot of attention." Isabelle now weighs nine-and-a-half pounds.

♥ Gabrielle is the biggest of the four girls, weighing 11 pounds. "She loves her food," Mrs Hird told Flair. "She's very laid-back and doesn't really make much of a fuss, as long as she's fed, she doesn't care much about what's going on around her."

♥ "Annabelle, she's the pleasant one. She loves to smile and gets along well with people," notes Mrs Hird. She weighs eight-and-a-quarter pounds.

Advice to mothers

The young mom's advice to potential mothers, particularly those who might share the bitter-sweet experience of multiple births, is to "make sure you plan ahead of your pregnancy".

She said it's not only important to be prepared financially, but emotionally and physically. "It's a lot of stress and you have to make sure you take some time for yourself or you will have a breakdown," advised Mrs Hird.

Scotiabank donated gift certificates to open accounts for the children but the Hirds are yet to find time to start the process. Jamaica National Building Society has opened accounts for the girls and the number is: 10684323.'Flair' would like to invite donations for another year's supply of diapers for the quads. To make your donations, email us at: lifestyle@gleanerjm.com.

Keisha Hird and her beautiful quadruplet girls, from left, Ruthann-belle, Isabelle, Gabrielle and Annabelle relax at home in Portmore, St Catherine