Earlier, Singaporean triplet mum Amalina Sidek (also known as Nina) shared her journey through IVF, a challenging triplet pregnancy, and a high-risk delivery. Now she talks about the year that followed. André (T2) was the last to go home after a month-long stay at the KK Women's and Children's Hospital. He had to be closely monitored due to his cleft condition and was diagnosed with VSD (ventricular septal defect) after birth. He had lip surgery at seven months and palate surgery at twelve months. This is Nina's account of managing medical appointments, cleft related surgeries, and home life after the birth.
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We first learned about André’s cleft condition during the 20-week scan. The detailed scan took 2–3 hours. When the sonographer kept returning to the same spot and said the doctor would speak to us later, we knew something was wrong.
I’d be lying if I said my heart didn’t break. I cried for the next two days. But what worried me more than anything else was his future and his self-esteem as he grows up. The next thing I thought about was his treatments—and how I would have to juggle hospital appointments and stays while also being there for his two other siblings at home, who would need me, too.
The doctor confirmed he had a cleft but could not determine the type of cleft until birth. It took me two days to process the news. I did my research and gradually came to terms with it. We met with the KKH Cleft and Craniofacial Team to understand the surgeries and therapies required.
After birth, he was also diagnosed with Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), more commonly known as a hole in the heart. Because of that, cleft surgery had to wait until his heart stabilised as well as an ideal body weight of 5kg.
He had a lot of medical appointments just for him alone. We had regular appointments with medical specialists from the cleft, dental, ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat), and cardiac departments.
Prior to André’s first surgery, we had to do lip taping, which was emotionally difficult every time, but I stayed strong for my son. He also used a special feeding bottle designed for babies with cleft conditions, as breastfeeding was not advised because he was unable to suckle effectively.
Miraculously, the hole in his heart became much smaller, and he was cleared for surgery. The first procedure, a cleft lip repair, was initially scheduled for six months old, but he fell sick upon admission, so it was postponed. At seven months in July 2024, André’s underwent the surgery, which included rhinoplasty. At the same time, he also had grommets inserted in his middle ear by the ENT team. Because a cleft palate affects the muscle that opens the Eustachian tube, fluid can build up, and the grommet acts as a pressure-equalizing tube.
His next surgery, for the cleft palate, took place when he was 12 months old in January 2025 went smoothly. His milestones and development are progressing at his own pace compared to his siblings, about two months behind. Now at two years old, he is thriving.
Right now, he is unable to suck using a straw and continues to drool. Otherwise, he is like any other child. From my experience and conversations with other parents of cleft babies, these differences vary with the child.
André continues with speech therapy and regular check-ups, but his appointments have become less frequent since he turned 18 months. He is catching up at his own pace, and aside from some feeding differences, he is very much like any other two-year-old. We are grateful to all the medical staff who supported André's journey as well as other cleft families who have generously shared their experiences with us.
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For Nina, the chaos of that first couple of years has settled. The surgeries are behind them, but she knows this is not a finish line. She continues to journey alongside her triplets, supporting each of them as they grow at their own pace. We wish Nina and her family all the best, and thank them for sharing their experiences so candidly with all of us at Multiples Matter.
Resources and recommendations from Nina:
Support:
Singapore Cleft Parents Support Group
Medical:
Dr Gale Lim Jue Shuang – Head and Senior Consultant of the Cleft & Craniofacial Centre (CCRC) at KKH, specialising in paediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery, including cleft lip and palate repair and cranio‑maxillofacial care.
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Read also: Journey to Three with Nina’s IVF Triumph
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