Triplets Born at St. Luke's Hospital - Allentown Campus on October 15

New Jersey couple welcomes the newest family members on their seventh wedding anniversary

Seven is a lucky number indeed for Cathleen and Paul Kicak of Washington, New Jersey. The couple welcomed the birth of triplets Dominick, Nicholas and Tatianna on their seventh wedding anniversary Monday, October 15, 2007 at St. Luke's Hospital-Allentown Campus.

The babies, delivered at 32 weeks gestation, ranged between four pounds, two ounces to four pounds, four ounces. Obstetrician/gynecologist Howard Horne, MD, delivered the trio by cesarean section.

Following the delivery, the triplets were placed in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). “They are doing very well,” said Andrew Unger, Section Chief, Neonatology, St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network. “The babies were all placed in warmers and are receiving respiratory support, which is typical for pre-term infants born at this age.” The delivery represents the first use of the NICU at St. Luke's Hospital-Allentown Campus for the care of triplets born prematurely.

The NICU at St. Luke's Hospital-Allentown Campus is certified to provide a high level of medical care, according to Gayle Thear, RN, BSN, NICU Nurse Manager, St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network. “Our facility allows for specialized care for multiple births, premature babies and full-term babies with medical problems,” she says.

The Kicaks have a 4-year-old son, Dimitri, but wanted more children to complete their family, according to Dr. Horne. “Cathleen had been placed on the fertility medication Clomid to help facilitate fertility,” he said.