Meet Saunda and Zen, a Singaporean couple who embarked on an extraordinary journey into parenthood. After struggling to conceive naturally due to Zen’s demanding work schedule, they turned to IVF—and were stunned to discover they were expecting triplets. Their family of five now includes three lively toddlers: twin girls, Quinnsley and Jaisley, and their brother, Kingsley.
In this heartfelt interview, Saunda opens up about her high-risk pregnancy, the sudden onset of Bell’s Palsy and preeclampsia, and the emotional rollercoaster of delivering her babies at just 31 weeks.
Was this your first pregnancy? How did you feel when you first found out you were expecting?
This was my first—and only—pregnancy. We tried intrauterine insemination (IUI) once before moving to in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI). On our first attempt, we were blessed with two day-5 blastocysts, resulting in fraternal triplets (twin girls and a singleton boy).
The shock was real—my first thought was, 'Even winning the TOTO isn’t this unlikely!' My in-laws didn’t believe my husband until I confirmed it myself."
(For context: TOTO is Singapore’s national lottery, known for its extremely low odds—making this surprise pregnancy feel even more unbelievable.)
Take us back to the moment you discovered you were carrying triplets. What was your reaction?
Absolute disbelief. We never imagined IVF would result in us being pregnant with three. My husband and I had to seriously consider fetal reduction due to the risks, especially since the twins shared a placenta. But by week 20, we couldn’t go through with the reduction—we wanted to keep all three babies.
How was your experience with prenatal checkups?
I was initially at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) under Associate Professor Yong Tze Tein who also helped me with my fertility treatment. Later on I transferred to National University Hospital (NUH) for proximity. Professor Arijit Biswas and Doctor Arundhati Gosavi oversaw my ultrasound scans, while Associate Professor Chan Shiao-Yng handled sub-clinic visits. I was on the subsidized route which meant long waits—sometimes over an hour for scans and blood tests. The fetal scan clinic was comfortable, but the general clinic was always packed.
What was your multiple pregnancy like before complications arose?
From week 7 onwards, I couldn’t stomach meat—I was practically vegetarian the entire first trimester and lost 4kg. By the second trimester, I had severe water retention, couldn’t walk far without getting breathless, and had to sleep sitting up. The symptoms were tough to endure. Morning sickness lasted until my delivery.
You developed preeclampsia and Bell’s Palsy. Can you describe that moment?
One morning, I woke up with dried tears on my right eye, drooling, and couldn’t close my mouth properly. My face was stiff—I panicked. The General Practitioner I visited sent me to NUH's Accident and Emergency department, where my blood pressure was found to be dangerously high at 170+. They diagnosed me with Bell’s Palsy and also admitted me for preeclampsia.
I was devastated, thinking my face would never recover. Even now, two years later, I’m about 80% back to normal—I still can’t smile fully.
Did you require hospitalization?
Yes, two weeks total—one before delivery and one after. My platelets were critically low, so I needed steroids, magnesium sulfate, and a platelet infusion. The hardest part? The fear. After that, I was terrified of being hospitalized again.
Your triplets arrived at 31 weeks via emergency C-section. What was that like?
I was warded in NUH due to complications at Week 29 for a week and a half. Subsequently, at Week 30 + 5 days, I was transferred to SGH via ambulance because there was insufficient NICU beds for my triplets. A really sweet nurse from NUH accompanied me on the ambulance ride for the handover, while my husband drove behind the ambulance to meet me at SGH. For safety reasons, they advised me to do the transfer via ambulance instead of our own vehicle.
The night before my C-section, my IVF gynecologist came to check on me, and unexpectedly, I teared up—it felt like seeing a motherly figure walk through the door. Her presence was such a comfort, like a warm hug.
The next day, one of the twins had a critical umbilical cord complication, so delivery couldn’t wait.
The worst part? Needing full general anesthesia—I have a phobia of oxygen masks due to a past trauma. Thankfully, the Head of Anaesthesiology held my hand until I was completely knocked out, which meant the world since my husband couldn’t be there with me.
How did you cope with not seeing them right after birth?
It’s my biggest regret. I didn’t meet them until days later, after the morphine wore off and my catheter was removed. That loss still stings.
What was your triplets' newborn journey like? Do you have any advice for parents of preemies?
The NICU journey was tough. Thankfully, the babies made it out to the High Dependency Unit (HDU) and were eventually discharged after 1.5 months of hospitalization. For our convenience, we transferred their follow ups to KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH). The Neonatal team at KKH was incredible. They taught us physio exercises to help the babies reach milestones such as being able to roll over.
My advice? Take it one day at a time.
Insurance was also another hurdle—we had to wait until the triplets were discharged from cardiac follow-ups before we could get coverage.
How did you cope during the postpartum period?
We hired a domestic helper before delivery, and she cooked confinement meals for me with guidance from my father-in-law. Family support was everything. I also leaned on my Expected Delivery Date (EDD) mums’ support group—we still chat daily today.
Looking back, what would you tell your past self?
If fetal reduction is recommended for a high-risk multiple pregnancy, approach the decision objectively—weigh caregiving demands, financial realities, and long-term logistics.
Once your babies arrive, there’s no going back. And above all: be kind to yourself. These choices are never easy.
What keeps you resilient now?
Every milestone—crawling, solids, walking—feels like a victory. I document their lives on Instagram as a keepsake (hopefully it doesn’t vanish like Friendster!).
As for my Bells Palsy condition, I am still undergoing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Acupuncture treatment, which has helped my improvement tremendously.
Quick-Fire Questions:
Parenting tip in less than 5 words: Go with the children’s flow.
Favorite infant hack: KKH’s physio exercises for milestone training.
Best toddler spot in Singapore: Pororo Park at Marina Square & Mandai Zoo!
––
Though the nausea never eased, neither did Saunda's determination to bring these three babies safely into the world.
Saunda’s journey is a testament to resilience, love, and the unpredictable beauty of parenthood. From IVF miracles to medical emergencies, her story reminds us that even in the toughest moments, there’s strength in support and hope in every small victory. Follow her family adventures on Instagram: @saunda_ya_xue.
Thank you for sharing your story so generously with us at Multiples Matter, Saunda. Whether you're raising multiples or multiple children, finding a supportive parenting community makes all the difference. Join the conversation and share your experience with us!
