In Singapore, where the journey to parenthood can be both joyous and challenging, Yolanda Fransisca Lukito and her husband’s story stands out as a testament to resilience, love, and the power of modern medicine.
After 8 years of struggling with infertility, they turned to In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and were blessed with their first child, Luna, now 3 years and 7 months old. But their journey took an unexpected turn when they discovered they were expecting triplets—a pregnancy that would eventually become the birth of their twins, Nova and Zoya, now 1 year and 2 months old. Here, Yolanda shares her inspiring story, offering hope and insights to other parents navigating the complexities of multiples and high-risk pregnancies.
Hello, Yolanda! Can you please tell us more about yourself?
Hi there! My name is Yolanda, and I’m a proud mom of three amazing girls, all conceived through IVF. I work in real estate, where I help families find their dream homes. I love being part of my clients’ journeys, guiding them to spaces where they can create lasting memories with their families.
My husband and I got married in 2014, but we faced challenges conceiving. After eight years of trying, we decided to do IVF and were blessed to succeed on our first attempt, welcoming our beautiful toddler, Luna.
Hoping for a natural pregnancy for our second child, we eventually turned to frozen embryos from our first IVF cycle, but it didn’t work. Undeterred, we tried again with a fresh cycle under the guidance of Associate Professor Yu Su Ling, then Director of the Centre for Assisted Reproduction at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH). At that time, we transferred two embryos, knowing that at age 35, success rates might be lower—and here we are today!
Can you share your initial reactions and emotions upon learning you were expecting multiples?
When we found out we were having triplets, we were overjoyed—and then the worries set in! There’s so much information out there, and hearing different stories added to our concerns. But ultimately, we focused on the joy of this incredible blessing.
How did your family and friends support you during the early stages of your pregnancy?
Our families were even more shocked than we were! Some were super excited, while others expressed concerns about how challenging raising multiples might be. While some comments were discouraging, we reminded ourselves that these worries came from a place of love and care. My advice? Don’t let other people’s opinions bring you down—stay positive and focus on what’s best for you and your family.
Did you experience fear or challenges during your pregnancy? How did you cope?
Definitely. This pregnancy brought a lot of challenges, including multiple hospital visits and stays. Staying positive was my mantra. I reminded myself that I was doing my best and accepted that some things are simply out of our control.
How did you prepare for the arrival of your babies?
Being more experienced this time around made us feel more prepared compared to our first pregnancy. We were very lucky to have the incredible support of family and friends who helped us along the way.
Can you share the story of how your pregnancy journey shifted from expecting triplets to welcoming twins? How did you cope with this change?
At 22 weeks, we learned that one of our MCDA twins had a reversed diastolic flow in the umbilical artery, which was high-risk. Our gynecologist referred us to another specialist, who advised reducing two of the babies due to the shared placenta. It was an incredibly difficult decision, and we only had three to four days to decide. The situation was so rare in Singapore that none of the gynecologists at SGH or even the high-risk division at KKH had encountered it before.
Through online research and support groups, we came across Professor Arijit Biswas, Senior Consultant at the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, National University Hospital, who was highly recommended. Despite his busy schedule, he saw us the next day and explained a safer way to reduce one baby using Fetoscopic Laser Coagulation (FLC), minimizing risks to the others. The procedure was done immediately the next day (around 23 weeks) on October 2, 2023.
While it was heartbreaking, we believed it was the best decision for our family’s health and future.
Can you share any memorable moments during your pregnancy?
One unforgettable moment was on December 23, when we visited VivoCity to enjoy the Christmas decorations. I told my husband, “This will be our last Christmas as a family of three.” Little did we know, the twins had other plans—they decided to make their grand entrance on Christmas Eve, just in time to join the celebrations of 2023!
Our babies spent two weeks in the NICU after being born prematurely at 34 weeks. It was tough seeing them surrounded by tubes, but we trusted the incredible nurses and doctors to care for them. That time also allowed me to rest and recover.
What are you looking forward to now that the babies are here?
I’m amazed at how different they are since they were born. I can’t wait to watch their unique personalities blossom and celebrate all their milestones as they grow into their own individuals.
Any advice or insights for other parents facing unexpected changes in their pregnancy journey?
Always look for the positives in any situation.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions—knowledge is power!
Trust yourself. You’re doing your best, and that’s more than enough.
Yolanda’s journey from a triplet pregnancy to a twin birth is a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience required in the face of unexpected challenges. Her story highlights the importance of expert medical care, the support of loved ones, and the courage to make difficult decisions for the well-being of one’s family. We thank Yolanda for sharing her heartfelt and inspiring journey with us, and we wish her and her growing family all the best as they continue to create beautiful memories together.
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Update: Associate Professor Yu Su Ling, who guided Yolanda during her IVF journey, is now with Alpha IVF Specialists, continuing her work to help families achieve their dreams of parenthood.
