Mom who had three kids in 10 months says life is ‘happy chaos’

By Kate Pounds via SWNS

A mom had three babies in 10 months - and says life is happy chaos.

Ava Goulden was born at just 29 weeks, surprising mom Louise Bailey and her partner, Chris Goulden, both 34.

They were just getting to grips with being new parents and Louise fell pregnant just a few months later - with twins - after she forgot to take her pill.

And Lucas and Elijah also made an early arrival at 30 weeks - meaning all three were born in the space of 10 months.

Louise said the couple raise their three children as triplets, and said life is chaotic but extremely happy.

The support worker, from Dover, said: "They were born so close together and people always ask if they're triplets - I just say 'yes', because that's how we think of them.

"They're all so amazing. The best part for me is watching their relationships with each other develop.

"They are all kind and considerate and very happy.

"Three babies in 10 months was not part of the plan at all - we just couldn't think what to do, we were so shocked.

"The first few years were just a blur - it was all about survival.

"We seemed to be up all night with them in sequence.

"Things started to feel a bit more settled about a year ago, but it's still a very happy chaos."

Louise and Chris met on Tinder in 2014, and got pregnant with their first child shortly after moving in together in January 2018.

The baby was due in February 2019.

But movements slowed and Ava, now six, was born by emergency C-section on December 10, after a 29 week pregnancy.

Ava had severe brain bleeds - grade four bilateral intraventricular hemorrhages - leaving her with disabilities including epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and visual impairment.

She came home from William Harvey hospital, Ashford, at the end of February 2019 after 11 weeks in NICU

Louise discovered she was pregnant again in March - she thinks she forgot to take a pill - and that she was carrying twins at the end of April.

Lucas and Elijah now four, were due on December 25 but were born on October 14 2019 after a 30-week pregnancy.

They were born on Louise's 30th birthday and she missed her surprise party.

They came home from hospital on December 10, and Louise and software-engineer Chris raise their three children as if they're triplets.

Ava doesn't speak but the family use signing and songs to communicate with her.

The family have just braved their first holiday, to Menorca, in the summer.

Louise said: "It was very hard navigating being a first-time parent with a child with complex needs and having premature twins to look after.

"It was terrifying and very overwhelming.

"I was definitely more anxious than your average first-time mom.

"Now we just roll with it.

"Ava's amazing - she loves music and cuddles and is a really happy person.

"The twins are fun-loving, supportive and kind.

"I had planned for maybe two children three years apart - it definitely didn't go like that but I wouldn't have it any other way."