'Life changed overnight': Glasgow mum's triplets drama at Rottenrow

“Afterwards, I counted 15 people in the delivery room, including my husband and various students,” she laughs. “Triplet births were uncommon.

“The birth was actually very quick and without event, although I did require a blood transfusion immediately afterwards and our lives changed overnight.”

Leaving the hospital for the first time. (Image: Anne MacMillan)

Anne, from Pollokshields, got in touch with Times Past to share her story after reading our recent feature about the famous Glasgow maternity hospital.

Established as the Glasgow Lying-In Hospital on Greyfriars Wynd in 1834, Rottenrow - The Royal Maternity Hospital – was highly unusual for its time because it cared for unmarried women, as well as married women. It moved to Rottenrow, the street which gave the hospital its everyday name, in 1860.

The hospital went on to lead the way in major developments in obstetrics, including Murdoch Cameron’s pioneering work in caesarean sections, Munro Kerr’s research into maternal mortality, and Ian Donald’s development of ultrasound scanning. Rottenrow also became internationally renowned as a leading training centre in midwifery.

“I really enjoy reading people’s memories about Rottenrow,” explains Anne. “I was 27 when I discovered I was pregnant with triplets.

READ NEXT: Former Glasgow clippie, 102, celebrates birthday on old Corpy bus

“I already had a son, Iain, who was just over two years old when the girls – Louise, Lisa-Anne and Emily – were born.

“It was a natural conception and quite the shock, as we had been trying for 13 months and I had had two miscarriages during that time.

Big brother Iain, two, going to visit his new baby sisters with mum Anne (Image: Anne MacMillan)

“I didn’t know anyone who had triplets, so it was extremely daunting. It was 1989 - those pre-internet days - when we went to the local library to find answers to our many questions and if we were lucky there would be an address at the back of the book that we could write to for additional information.”

After a spell on bedrest at Rutherglen Maternity very early on in her pregnancy, Anne’s pregnancy went well, her consultant hoping she would get to 35 weeks and the babies would be delivered by c-section.

However, things did not go to plan.

“My waters broke when I reached 31 weeks and because there weren’t three incubators available at Rutherglen, I was transferred to Rottenrow,” she explains.

“I was really glad, as they had so much more experience of delivering triplets and even quads. They encouraged me to deliver naturally which I was eager to do.

“Dr Lunan was my obstetrician and Dr Al-Roomi the consultant paediatrician.”

Emily was born first and weighed 3lbs 10oz, Louise was next, 3lbs 12.5oz, and then Lisa-Anne, 4lbs 1oz.

The triplets on their first day home, aged 23 days old (Image: Anne MacMillan)

“Lisa-Anne was given oxygen via a face mask during the first 24 hours, and all three girls had to stay in the paediatric ward for a couple of weeks, but they were all healthy,” says Anne.

"After 23 days, they were allowed home."

Life for the MacMillans changed overnight, says Anne.

The triplets on their 30th birthday (Image: Anne MacMillan)

“Our lives were never the same,” she says, smiling. “We had to immediately change our car to accommodate our family of six - not an easy thing to do in the 80s. We got a Citroen Familiale, which was a monstrosity of a thing but it served us well.

“Everything was bought in threes and family and friends were very generous with gifts and hand-me-downs. I remember getting nappies delivered weekly by the box from Boots which was a service they had just started. 

The MacMillan triplets were born a few weeks' early but things went smoothly... (Image: Anne MacMillan)

“The first year was very challenging as I was alone for most of the week. Iain worked in Edinburgh so was away early and home late but he was always eager to help the minute he walked in the door and could often be seen pushing our triple buggy around the streets of Glasgow in the evenings.

“My mum came over every Wednesday for the first few months and I would watch eagerly at the window for her arrival. Sisters helped too when they could but they were either working full time or had kids of their own. Back then though, we just got our heads down and got on with it.”

The original facade is all that remains of the hospital (Image: Newsquest)

The family now live in Canada, after emigrating there almost 20 years ago.

“We have such fond memories of those early years in Glasgow but we have never regretted our move and love our life in North America,” adds Anne. “Although we do miss family, friends and the Scottish banter.”

Do you have fond memories of Rottenrow? Get in touch to share your stories and photos. Email ann.fotheringham@glasgowtimes.co.uk or write to Ann Fotheringham, Glasgow Times, 125 Fullarton Drive, Glasgow G32 8FG.