A couple have been making a marathon journey to visit their premature triplets in three separate hospitals. The children, two girls and a boy, were born on December 6, 14 weeks early, at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

Martha, Evie and Harry were born to Sam and Andrew Paciuszko, who live in Truro, but Martha needed an operation on her stomach and was sent to a specialist hospital in Bristol. A shortage of incubation units meant that Harry was transferred to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Treliske, near the couple’s home, while Evie was kept at Derriford.

This week Harry and Evie have been reunited in Truro, but they are still waiting to hear when Martha can be moved. All three are doing well and their mother and father have been allowed to pick them up for the first time.

Mrs Paciuszko, 31, said: “Over Christmas the only available neonatal beds were in Liverpool so we were lucky that our three babies were in three hospitals in the West Country.

Speaking of their 400-mile round trips to visit the children, she said: “We have been very lucky with our families and friends ferrying us about. After a Caesarean I cannot drive, so we have been extremely lucky.

“I would not wish this on anyone. Every day we take two steps forward and one backwards but we are heading in the right direction.”

The new mother had been receiving fertility treatment but it was still a surprise when three babies arrived at once. She said: “Andrew and I took the gamble but never really thought we would have more than twins. We are very grateful and happy with our three bundles of joy and miracles but that will be our lot. They will be our first and last children.”

The babies were delivered by Caesarean section within four minutes of each other, Harry arriving first, weighing 1lb 12oz, then Martha at 2lb 2oz and finally Evie at 1lb 13oz.

Mrs Paciuszko said: “They were all put in Tesco freezer bags to keep them warm and then in a Bubble Wrap covering. The Bubble Wrap was later replaced with woolly blankets. I thought they would be put in medical bags but they were Tesco bags - I suppose every little helps, as the advert says.”

Mr Paciuszko, a 37-year-old postman, has remained in Bristol with Martha for much of the time.

Julian Eason, the clinical director for neonatal services at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, said that the triplets had been moved to different units because they needed specialist care, not because of a lack of resources. “The triplets were born 14 weeks early at Derriford Hospital, all requiring intensive care treatment,” he said.

“The most premature and sickest will be looked after in Plymouth. We are delighted to reunite Evie with Harry in Treliske Hospital to be closer to mum and home. Hopefully, Martha will be able to return soon.”

The neonatal intensive care unit at Derriford Hospital had its busiest year on record in 2008 with more than 850 admissions.

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