After 12 years of marriage and two children, Dannette and Austin Giltz thought their family was complete. So when Dannette was rushed to hospital in severe pain, it was something of a shock to be told she was actually in labour. But there were more surprises to come when doctors announced Dannette was actually giving birth to triplets.
Danette, of Sturgis, South Dakota, said she thought the pain she felt was due to kidney stones, something she’d experienced previously. Instead, after arriving at hospital, the doctors told her she was in labour with what they believed was twins.
An extra surprise
“It was quiet, we thought they were done,” Dannette told KOTA TV. “Then she’s like, well, we need another blanket. [Austin] is like, excuse me, put it back, I was told I have twins, I’m not doing triplets. She’s like, no, there’s three babies in here.”
After all three babies were safely delivered, Dannette learned she had been 34 weeks pregnant.
“You don’t see triplets being conceived naturally, let alone going 34 weeks without knowing,” she said. “We’re still in shock. I go to the doctor’s thinking I’ll have surgery for kidney stones and end up going into labour with a C-section. It’s crazy.”
Wish upon a star…
The couple’s son, ten-year-old Ronnie, believes the surprise arrivals are the result of a wish he made. He explained: “One time I saw a shooting star and I wished for a baby brother, and I wished for two sisters for my little sister because she always wanted a little sister. I knew this day was going to come.”
The triplets, two girls and one boy, have been named Gypsy, Nikki and Blaze. The Giltzes are now getting used to being a family of seven after the surprise events of August 10.
Community support
“She’s out of the hospital and I know she’s okay. I’m overwhelmed, honestly, it’s still exploding in my head,” said Austin. The couple is very grateful to their friends, family and community, which has rallied round to donate supplies and equipment.
“It’s amazing, in a small town, how many people will come together for stuff that’s not expected,” said Austin. One of the couple’s friends has also set up a fundraising page for them on Facebook.
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