Sextuplets’ parents still mum on fertility treatment (with CNC3 video)

Sextuplets one week old

It’s been only a week since banker Keiron Cummings and teacher Petra Lee Foon became the proud parents of the country and region’s first sextuplets — three girls and three boys — all already named. However, while five of the babies are doing well on their own, the first-born boy, who was said to be in a critical but stable condition, still needs the help of a ventilator to breathe.

The babies were delivered by medical teams on March 4 at the Mt Hope Maternity Hospital. But amid the euphoria, the couple has had to deal with some negative comments by some members of the public who felt given the couple’s current state — unmarried and still living at the homes of their parents — it was irresponsible for the pair to start a family and  to seek fertility treatment which resulted in the multiple pregnancy.

Lee Foon, who was recently discharged from hospital, and Cummings are yet to set the record straight on the many rumours circulating about the fertility treatment she received and the status of her children’s health. In a telephone interview yesterday, a close female relative of Cummings, who requested anonymity, said at the moment the couple is focusing on Lee Foon’s recovery and seeking what’s best for their six babies. 

Asked how the first-time mother had been coping since being discharged, she said Lee Foon was resting comfortably at her central Trinidad home, going through the usual recovery period as does any new mother. She said the families of both parents were going through some intense decision-making on  how they all intend to look after the sextuplets.
“Things have been extremely hectic dealing with the public. We are extremely grateful for all the love, support and prayers we continue to receive from the majority of the public,” she said.

Addressing the negative comments, she added: “We live in a very critical society. No matter what, you will always have those who will have negative things to say.” She said the couple was not required to tell anyone what their plans were before having the babies. “It’s not like they woke up one day and said, ‘we are going to have the country’s first sextuplets.’ That is not how it happened at all, the discovery was very shocking to them,” she said

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She said while she understood the public’s view, everybody’s circumstances were not the same. “They both lived very comfortably at their individual homes and have always been planning on buying a home together because financially they are able to do so. “I recall reading a comment somewhere which stated if the two were renting an apartment, it would have shown at least that they were doing some planning… really?” she asked.

“Renting was not an option for either of them as they consider it to be dead money. All I can say is that they are well supported. They are taking things one day at a time and are truly just focusing on the steps they intend to make from here on.”  She remained tight-lipped when asked to reveal the names of the babies, saying only they were still at the hospital receiving optimum care. “Both families of the couple have really united and as it stands we all consider ourselves to be parents of these babies,” she added. She said the couple were aware of the genuine concern and the misinformation that has been swirling around concerning what medication Lee Foon did or did not use to help her get pregnant, and only they, when they are good and ready, would address all concerns publicly.