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NewsDecember 15, 2005

On Dec. 2, life became three times more exciting for Mark and Kristina Burks. The Jackson parents weren't really sure what to expect when they found out Kristina was pregnant with triplets. Nearly two weeks after she gave birth, they have a much better idea...

Jackson residents Kristina and Mark Burks posed recently with their children, including triplets Emily, Owen and Abigail born Dec. 2 and 1-year-old Bailey. (Submitted photo)
Jackson residents Kristina and Mark Burks posed recently with their children, including triplets Emily, Owen and Abigail born Dec. 2 and 1-year-old Bailey. (Submitted photo)

On Dec. 2, life became three times more exciting for Mark and Kristina Burks.

The Jackson parents weren't really sure what to expect when they found out Kristina was pregnant with triplets.

Nearly two weeks after she gave birth, they have a much better idea.

"There's three of everything," said Mark Burks. "We don't have nearly as much space in our house."

Emily, Owen and Abigail all weighed less than 6 pounds at birth. The first two infants are at home with the Burks family. Abigail is expected to be released from the hospital this week.

Nationally, the birth rate for multiple babies, which includes twins and triplets, is about 3 percent.

According to the March of Dimes, more than 90 percent of triplets and virtually all quadruplets and higher multiples are born preterm, weighing less than 5 and a half pounds, and are at increased risk for health complications.

Because of those potential complications, Kristina Burks spent more than twice the amount of time visiting her doctors prior to giving birth to her triplets than she did with her 1-year-old daughter, Bailey.

"It was all very overwhelming," she said. "Mentally, I don't know if I was ever really prepared for it, but it's still a blessing."

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Mark and Kristina Burks began buying supplies as soon as they were told they were having triplets.

"We didn't know how we'd handle the financial responsibility, the time, handling all three at once," said Mark Burks. "All of that came to mind."

At 34 weeks of pregnancy, about a week shorter than most triplets are delivered, Kristina underwent a Caesarean section.

The two youngest, Owen and Abigail, were born with low oxygen levels and were hooked to ventilators following their birth.

Emily, the oldest, was taken home when Kristina was released. Son Owen followed after that.

The Jackson couple have divided their time for the last two weeks between caring for the two babies at home and visiting Abigail at the hospital.

"It's been harder to bond with them right off because there's three," said Mark Burks. "Feeding is complicated. It's been a lot of work, but it's definitely rewarding."

cmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128

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