UAE Triplets Born Amidst Conflict Thrive After Premature Birth and NICU Stay

In the United Arab Emirates, a set of triplets born two months prematurely during the initial days of conflict with Iran are now thriving after a precarious start to life. Pakistani parents Sahrish Iqbal, 33, and Umer Nawaz, 40, navigated immense challenges, including missile interceptions and shelter-in-place warnings, as they prepared to bring their three newborns home following a month in intensive care. The high-risk, unexpected premature delivery occurred on February 13. After a nine-hour labor and a subsequent five-hour struggle for survival, the newborns – Izaan, Liyana, and Eshaal – were immediately transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit at Emirates Speciality Hospital in Dubai Healthcare City. Tragically, just two weeks later, aerial attacks on the UAE commenced while the infants remained in the specialist unit, unable to be moved. Now, nearly nine months later, their first-time parents have shared their harrowing experience, celebrating the fact that all three babies have received a clean bill of health and are settling well into their home environment.

Mr. Nawaz recounted his shock upon learning of the triplets and the difficulties of bringing his newborns home amidst the escalating conflict. "When we were in the ultrasound room, and my wife was unable to see the screen, I saw three round shapes, and went quiet," he stated. "When the doctor said there were three foetuses, I almost fell off the chair. It took some time for me to absorb and my wife started crying. It was overwhelming with all the feelings we had; it was wonderful, but we were surprised and shocked, but very happy at the same time."

Throughout the pregnancy, Ms. Iqbal required frequent antenatal consultations and close monitoring to assess the babies' development and identify potential complications. The pregnancy took a critical turn when Ms. Iqbal presented to Emirates Speciality Hospital with ruptured amniotic membranes and cervical dilatation, signaling an imminent premature delivery. "The doctor said that we would have to deliver the babies as the mother's safety was the main priority," explained Mr. Nawaz, an accountant who has resided in Dubai for 12 years. "We were told each day inside the mother’s womb was like five days in neonatal intensive care, so it was a difficult decision." Ms. Iqbal, who also has a twin brother, was in labor for nearly nine hours. The babies were delivered approximately an hour apart via Caesarean section. Even after their safe delivery, they remained in critical condition. It took doctors around five hours to stabilize each newborn before they were transferred to specialist baby care, where they stayed for over a month. However, even when they were medically cleared for discharge, the threat of missile and drone attacks created a period of intense anxiety. "This was all happening around the same time as the war started, which added to the stress," said Mr. Nawaz. "It was strange; even with everything that was going on around us, we were not even focusing on that. We didn't have time to think. It really began to sink in when we had the kids home for the first time in Silicon Oasis. There were a lot of sounds of missiles and interceptions happening in that area. For the first few days, it was very intense, with the windows shaking and bangs overhead; it added to the pressure as the kids were also getting scared. Now, just a few months on, they are progressing amazingly well – both of my daughters have already started crawling. Thankfully, everything is healthy."

This case underscores the critical importance of continuous care throughout high-risk pregnancies, encompassing frequent antenatal monitoring, collaboration among specialists, coordinated delivery planning, neonatal intensive care, and active parental involvement. Triplet births are rare, occurring naturally in approximately 1 in 8,000 to 10,000 pregnancies, though rates can vary with the use of fertility treatments. While most triplets are born prematurely, nearly a third arrive very early and necessitate extended hospital care. Doctors highlighted the specialized care required during a challenging period for hospital staff. Dr. Anfal Akram Al Mashaykhi, a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology at Emirates Speciality Hospital, noted that managing triplet pregnancies demands careful planning. "Managing a triplet pregnancy requires a structured, multidisciplinary approach, with frequent antenatal assessments and individualised clinical planning," stated Dr. Akram. "Throughout this pregnancy, we worked closely together to monitor maternal and foetal well-being, and discuss appropriate management and treatment options with the parents. This continuity of care is particularly important in high-risk pregnancies, where clinical circumstances can change rapidly and timely decisions are essential." Due to the heightened risk of premature delivery, low birth weight, and variations in fetal growth, maternal complications such as anemia, hypertension, and gestational diabetes are common. Dr. Monika Kaushal, a consultant in paediatrics and neonatology at Emirates Speciality Hospital, emphasized that managing three premature newborns simultaneously required extensive preparation and clear responsibilities. "Caring for premature triplets requires more than advanced equipment," she explained. "It depends on careful preparation, clear clinical responsibilities, and a team that can respond to the individual needs of three newborns at the same time. From the delivery room to admission in the NICU, every step must be co-ordinated so that each baby receives timely, individualised care." At 32 weeks gestation, babies require close monitoring as their organs and body systems are still developing. Medical teams focus on each baby's clinical needs while ensuring parents are kept informed, supported through uncertainty, and involved in the care journey as they prepare for their babies' homecoming. "Beyond the medical challenges, supporting the parents was an essential part of the babies' journey," added Dr. Kaushal. "For Omar and Sahrish, having access to specialised neonatal services within the same hospital provided them with the reassurance they needed."