Three Times the Love: Two Moms Reflect on Life with Triplets and the NICU That Carried Them Through

Over the years, the Owensboro Health Regional Hospital NICU has seen more sets of twins than it can count, and even a few sets of triplets. As we gear up for another NICU Reunion this September, two moms reflect on their journeys of welcoming three babies at once and the dedicated care that helped them through the early, uncertain days.

For Brittney Morris, the news came out of nowhere. “I thought I was having my third miscarriage,” she recalled. “Instead, they told me I was pregnant with triplets. I was shocked.”

On the other hand, Ashley Everly had some advance notice—but still got a surprise. “We were already preparing for twins,” she said. “We went back for a follow-up scan, and there were three. I was just like, OK, what’s next?”

Both moms faced high-risk pregnancies. Brittney made it to 32 weeks before she was admitted for monitoring and delivered her babies by C-section two days later. “I told my husband something didn’t feel right,” she said. “I was anxious and nervous, and by the end of my appointment, I was admitted to the hospital.”

Ashley’s triplets arrived even earlier—at just 28 weeks. She had developed serious health complications, and her daughter Presleigh had medical concerns of her own. “Everything went downhill one day, and my doctor called my family and told them to get there right away. It happened fast.”

Neither mom got to spend much time with her babies right after delivery. “They just showed them to me over the curtain, then took them to the NICU,” Brittney said. “I couldn’t move yet, so I was just lying there wondering—are they OK? Are they breathing normally?”

Ashley didn’t see her babies for nearly a full day. “I needed a lot of medical intervention,” she said. “But my nurse, Julie, stayed after her shift to get me back there. I even skipped pain meds so I could see them. When you’re determined, you’re determined.”

All six babies spent weeks in the NICU. Brittney’s sons, Beau and Hunter, came home after five weeks; her daughter, Ivory, stayed six. Ashley’s daughter, Kenleigh, stayed ten weeks. Presleigh and Declan were transferred to two different hospitals in Louisville for specialized care after just four weeks at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. “For 48 hours, I had three babies in three different hospitals,” Ashley remembers. Both returned to the Owensboro Health NICU before coming home at thirteen weeks old.

Both moms said the NICU team became like family throughout those long, emotional days.

“They always made sure we were part of the care team—not just visitors,” Brittney said. “They kept us informed and made sure we were comfortable.”

Ashley added, “The individualized care at Owensboro was second to none. They didn’t just care for our babies—they took care of us. They made sure I had a brownie on my birthday and sang “Happy Birthday” to me when my husband had to go back work. I knew my babies were safe, and that helped me keep going.”

Today, Brittney’s triplets are thriving at seven months old. Ashley’s are nine years old, active in sports, and full of personality.

“There were moments when we weren’t sure we’d bring them all home,” Ashley said. “But we did. And now they’re funny, strong and doing great.”

Brittney shared a similar reflection: “That day I brought all three of them home—finally all under one roof—it was the best feeling in the world.”

Their shared advice to other NICU families? Don’t compare.

“I had three babies that were fed the same, parented the same, breathed the same air, and they all developed so differently,” Ashley said. “Give yourself and your kids some grace.”

“Ask questions,” Brittney added. “Advocate. Lean on your support system. That helped me through a lot.”

Celebrate With Us: NICU Reunion 2025

Brittney and Ashley plan to attend this year’s Owensboro Health NICU Reunion and hope to see familiar faces—and new ones, too.

Former OHRH NICU patients and their families should join us on Sunday, September 28, 2025. Drop in anytime from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital.

RSVP to reserve your spot and select a free t-shirt size (before August 15) at OwensboroHealth.org/NICUReunion.

Let’s come together to celebrate the strength, spirit and stories of our tiniest fighters—and the families and care teams who stood beside them.