Mothers of multiples face unique challenges

May 14--FAIRVIEW TWP. -- Dulcy Zeneski raced to keep up with her 7-year-old triplet sons as they ran outside their home to jump on the trampoline and play basketball.

After triplets, she gave birth to another son, Jonah, who is now 4 and who she said was "a complete surprise but a blessing."

For Zeneski, having triplets plus one is four times the work, but also four times the fun.

"It's not much different than others who have four kids, but it's just everything at the exact same time," Zeneski said.

Her husband John works at Amazon in Hazleton and Zeneski has her hands full with a home filled with boys.

The incidence of multiple births has increased in recent years, but having triplets is rare and much less common than twins.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, having triplets or a higher number of multiples occurs in less than 1 percent of births.

The twin birth rate is 33.5 per 1,000 births, or 3,350 per 100,000, compared to 103.6 per 100,000 for triplets or a higher number of multiples, according to the CDC.

The Zeneski triplets are even more rare because they were conceived naturally without fertility drugs.

Like other parents of multiples, Zeneski experiences challenges each day but there also are rewards.

Zeneski, 39, gave birth to her triplet sons, Zach, Luke and Elijah, now first graders at Fairview Elementary School, on Oct. 30, 2009.

When she found out she was having triplets, Zeneski said, "I was so thrilled. I really was. I was just blown away."

"We had tried for a long time for kids and the doctor said 'oh no.' I asked, 'oh what?' And, he said there were three," she said. "My husband didn't speak for about 10 minutes. It was a huge surprise. We never expected it."

The three boys were born healthy in Phoenix, Arizona, and the family moved to Fairview Twp. four years ago.

In the early years, it was very difficult for Zeneski as a first-time mother with three baby boys.

She often received attention as she ventured out with a stroller for triplets.

"It was a lot of work," she said. "Now that they're 7, it's a lot better. They're very self-sufficient. They do a lot on their own and they're a big help."

The financial impact of having triplets and a younger son also has been significant.

In addition to the triplet stroller, the boys have needed three of everything from cribs to toddler beds to clothes as well as three bikes, three soccer registrations, three baseball registrations and sports gear, Zeneski said.

One of the fun parts of being a mom of triplets, Zeneski said, is sports.

On top of raising her sons, Zeneski coaches soccer and has coached baseball.

As Zeneski recently sat down for an interview, the triplet boys eagerly talked about how they like to play baseball.

They showed their fidget spinners, a popular new toy, as their brother napped on the couch.

They said they like being triplets because it's fun to have brothers the same age.

As they celebrate Mother's Day today, they also were quick to say nice things about their mom, calling her "beautiful" and talking about how they made flowers for her at school.

Zeneski said an important part of being a mother of triplets and a younger son is maintaining a schedule.

"We always had a schedule," she said. "They had a set nap time and bedtime. Everything was pretty much planned out for the day."

When she lived in Arizona, she was a member of a group called Multiple Joys for mothers of multiples that was helpful for her in receiving advice.

She continues to follow the group on Facebook and also receives help online from the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs, which provides research, support, referrals and education to families with twins and multiples.

In Northeastern Pennsylvania, mothers of multiples can join a social club and support group called Lackawanna Mothers of Twins and Triplets, who meet at area restaurants.

Scranton resident Laura Agostini, president of the group, is the mother of twin daughters, Kelli and Katherine, and two other daughters, Michelle and Kristin.

Her twin daughters are now 24, but she joined the group when they were 2 and she moved back to the area and didn't know others here.

When meeting with other mothers of multiples and talking about struggles, she said it was helpful to know she wasn't alone.

"This group became my social outlet. I made friends," Agostini said. "It has been interesting for me to reach out to meet moms here and they're great and we became best friends."

The group is open to parents and caregivers of multiples throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. For more information, call 570-498-7339.

Contact the writer:

dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com

570-821-2115, @CVAllabaugh

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