New hospital scanner helped Ossett couple welcome healthy triplets

The advanced ultrasound scanner helped mum Jemma Hobbs have all three of her healthy triplets safely.

The 35-year-old was referred to Leeds General Infirmary when early scans showed she and her husband Tony were expecting triplets.

Doctors were then able to use a new diagnostic scanner that can provide more accurate ultrasounds and helps to identify any foetal growth restrictions.

At around 22 weeks, doctors at Leeds noticed one of Jemma’s triplets was much smaller than the other two and seemed to be growing at a slower rate.

This detailed scan meant staff increased the number of appointments Jemma was having and put her and her babies under closer observation.

After regular appointments, Jemma and Tony’s triplets were delivered after just 32 weeks of pregnancy, for the benefit of both her and her children.

Jemma is now a busy mum to three new healthy boys Harry, Oscar and Oliver who have made her first child Freddie a very proud older brother.

“It’s very daunting to be told you’re going to have triplets, and even scarier to hear that one of them isn’t growing properly and might not survive the pregnancy, “ says Jemma.

“The team at Leeds were brilliant and really reassured me throughout.

“I didn’t know the scanner that had been used was funded by charity until after my babies were born.

“It’s amazing to know there’s technology out there that can not only check heartbeats but measure growth in such detail.”

The ultrasound scanner was funded last year by money raised at the Yorkshire Charity Clay Days, held annually at Duncombe Park in North Yorkshire.

Leeds Cares, the charity for Leeds Teaching Hospitals, was one of the event’s chosen charities.

It’s estimated that every year, around 2,000 mothers and babies from across Yorkshire will benefit from the new scanner.

Denise Barnes, who is the Fetal Medicine Specialist at the LGI said: “The new scanner has provided an extra level of detail that inspires confidence and reassurance, not just for the families but our consultants and midwives as well.”