By Nigel Maxwell

Manitoba mom supports Give A Little Life day

Dec 5, 2014 | 11:28 AM

Charlyn Antinow, who lives in Flin Flon, can appreciate the need to upgrade equipment at the Victoria Hospital.

Eight years ago, she was rushed to hospital to deliver triplets.

She was in Saskatchewan because her doctor lived in Saskatoon, and she was told to be close by as she neared the expected pregnancy date.

With a couple weeks to go, Antinow chose to stay with her mother in Birch Hills while awaiting a room at Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon. The three babies had other plans. Antinow was left with no other choice but to deliver her babies at the Victoria Hospital.

“The nurses and the doctors there were a little surprised because it was about two in the morning…I told them what we were having…and we got admitted,” said Antinow.

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Antinow said being a first-time mother it was a bit scary, but the staff at the hospital did a great job answering her questions and providing support. The babies were delivered by C-section, and the operation went smoothly. According to Antinow, she was pretty lucky.

“When we delivered the babies they [the nurses] told me that they only had so many machines and if one went down, we would have been out of luck,” she said. “As fortunate and unfortunate as it was, they said if one machine went down they would not have known what to do with the baby, or if somebody else came in who was going to deliver a baby,” said Antinow.

Antinow is encouraging people who donate to Give A Little Life day, stressing the importance of the nursing and pediatrics units.

“Even if you’re not going to have children you might [know] someone that might be expecting children or need the support,” she said.

The fraternal triplets, Rylan, Zachary, and Aiden, who are now eight, are all doing well.

Antinow says the boys are active and healthy and make her household a very interesting place.

nmaxwell@panow.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell