Parents celebrate unexpected blessings
Sibusiso and Mpho Thembekwayo from Primrose never expected they’d be parents to triplets.
For Primrose residents, and at that stage parents of two, Sibusiso and Mpho Thembekwayo, 2018 started as it does for most – with plans for the future.
“I was planning to complete my honours in applied psychology and Sibusiso was hoping to start a business and study more,” explained Mpho when the GCN visited the couple last Thursday.
“We were also talking about buying a house, so the last thing on our minds was having another baby as we already have Keitumetse (13) and Thoriso (2).
“But God had other plans for us.”
The pair found out they were expecting after Mpho became ill.
“I was sick for a long time and had no reason to suspect I was sick because I was pregnant as I had my period as normal,” said Mpho.
“After a month of Mpho being sick she had blood tests done and discovered she was pregnant,” said Sibusiso.
“It really was a shock and I cried as if someone had died,” said Mpho.
Sibusiso agreed, “I think what made it more shocking was that we found out in stages that we were expecting triplets.
“First we found out she was pregnant, then we were told we were expecting twins and then suddenly triplets.
“So I guess one was hiding for a while,” he said with a laugh.
They were not the only ones who were shocked, their obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Petko Margaritov, was also surprised the couple had naturally conceived triplets.
“He just kept saying this is God’s doing,” said Mpho.
“He really is a wonderful doctor and helped us overcome many hurdles throughout the pregnancy.
“I mean I went into the pregnancy with high blood pressure, asthma and anaemia and he really monitored me and my chronic medication dosages well, with the help of my regular physician.
“We were just blessed that no matter what sickness I got it never affected the babies.”
Though the pregnancy was anything but smooth sailing, the couple began enjoying it by December.
ALSO READ:
OppiKoppi Festival cancels 25th birthday edition
Sadly their joy was short lived.
“We really had a black Christmas,” said Sibusiso.
While on their way to visit Mpho’s mother in Soweto on December 22, the couple was held up by eight men with guns.
“Throughout the pregnancy, I would get terribly nauseous, especially when I was hungry,” explained Mpho.
“Because of this I always packed a few snacks whenever we went anywhere, but for some reason that day I forgot.”
On the M2 highway, Mpho started feeling sick.
She hoped it would pass – but it didn’t.
“I pulled over so that Mpho could throw up,” explained Sibusiso.
“While I was throwing up I noticed something out of the corner of my eye and before we knew it eight men, some with guns, appeared out of nowhere,” said Mpho.
Sibusiso walked towards the men, in an attempt to protect Mpho, and offered them the keys to the car.
“As he walked towards them he looked at me and said ‘Mpho run’,” said Mpho.
“At that moment I forgot I was pregnant with a big pregnant belly and I ran.
“When I finally stopped and looked back I saw Sibusiso lying on the ground and told myself he was dead and I needed to do everything I could to protect myself and our babies.”
Mpho was able to flag down a passing car, after climbing over the highway divider.
“The man took me to the police station,” Mpho explained.
“While we were driving I noticed our car was behind us and began to panic that the men who had attacked us had taken the car and were chasing after me.”
Luckily this was not the case, and it was Sibusiso driving the car after the men had disappeared.
“After ransacking the car and taking all the groceries, money and moveable items they could find they disappeared, almost as quickly as they’d come,” he said.
After the horrific incident, Mpho and Sibusiso rushed to see Margaritov, convinced the babies had been affected by everything that had happened.
“To our surprise, they were absolutely fine but I had lost the use of my legs and was put on bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy,” said Mpho.
“I really felt like I was a burden to everyone and found myself asking God why he’d given us these triplets.
“I kept saying I am never going to make it.”
Mpho credited Sibusiso’s unwavering support and the support of their families for getting her through the pregnancy.
And on February 10, four days before their due date, Reatlegile, Reamogetse and Reabetswe arrived via caesarean section at Life Roseacres Hospital.
“I remember Dr Margaritov saying if we get to 30 weeks then God is alive and if we get to 34 weeks then he is a miracle God,” said Mpho.
The babies were taken to NNICU, where they stayed for several weeks, which is not uncommon for triplets.
“Four weeks after they were born we brought Reabetswe home,” said Sibusiso.
“Two weeks after that Reatlegile and two weeks after that Reamogetse.
“Though it was difficult leaving the babies in the hospital while we were home, we are grateful that we brought them home one at a time because it helped us adjust.”
The couple is now trying to find their feet as the parents of five children.
“The most difficult part is the money, we really didn’t plan for the pregnancy and are struggling to find our feet with all the bills and welcome any help,” said Mpho.
“But when we look at the faces of our children it makes everything worthwhile.”
Sibusiso and Mpho hope their story will inspire those trying to conceive.
“We believe God’s timing is perfect timing and hope couples who struggle to conceive will hear our story and know in their hearts that their time is coming,” said Mpho.
Follow us:
For more #hyperlocal news at your fingertips, visit Springs Advertiser, Boksburg Advertiser, Benoni City Times, African Reporter
