“It’s total chaos. But it’s the best chaos.”
In 2020, Stephanie Hansen, a single mother from Washington, gave birth to three baby girls. They’re also not triplets.
Daphne took the lead. Her birthday is January 28th. On Dec. 8, the newborn was joined by twin sisters Rubie and Penelope, who were born a little more than 10 months later.
The second pregnancy came as a total shock to Hansen, who was in a new relationship.
“I had to take a pregnancy test to get on birth control,” Hansen recounted.
The rest is a legend.
Ovulation can return as soon as six weeks after a baby is born, according to Dr. Christine Greves, an OB-GYN at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Orlando, Florida.
“Women aren’t necessarily aware of their cycle after motherhood,” Greves explained. “However, if you’ve once been pregnant, even if you don’t think you’re ovulating, it’s feasible to conceive again.”
Hansen claims she experienced the same thing.
“I was in a newborn fog, and then there was this new relationship’s thrill,” she explained. “I was just getting used to it all.”
Hansen was overcome by a variety of feelings, including remorse. When the twins arrived, would Daphne feel neglected? Would she be able to handle two babies in a row?
“I was devastated that she wouldn’t be able to spend one-on-one time with me anymore,” she explained. “There was obviously some melancholy at first.”
But Hansen’s fears dissipated the day she brought Rubie and Penelope home from the hospital. At the time, Daphne wasn’t walking yet, but she knew how to give hugs.
“All Daphne wanted to do was touch them,” Hansen said.
Daphne is now 2, while Penelope and Rubie are 15 months old. The three siblings are inseparable.
“They are the Three Musketeers,” Hansen said. “They’re on the same schedule. They eat, bathe and play together. They share a room.”
Though Hansen is no longer romantically involved with Penelope and Rubie’s father, the two remain friends and co-parents.
“When we broke up I was devastated,” she confessed. “But I said to myself, ‘I’ve got this. We’re not going to sit around in our pajamas crying. We can sink or swim.’”
Hansen chose to swim.
“It’s not always easy,” she said. “But I am the happiest I’ve ever been in my entire life. These kids are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
