THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 26, 1995 TAG: 9503240179
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
For 15 years, Laurie and Lloyd Jones were childless. Then, on Sept. 28, 1994, came Callie Morgan. And Keri Anne. And Hannah Leigh.
Thanks to the in vitro fertilization program at the Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, the Joneses of Gardner Lane have rock-a-bye baby in triplicate.
``Our goal was - simply - to have a baby,'' said Laurie Jones. The chance of having one: 25 percent; of having three: two percent. ``We beat the odds; we whipped them to death.''
Each child came home upon reaching 4 pounds - Callie after 10 days; Keri, 16; and Hannah, 43, because she weighed 2 pounds and 2 ounces at birth. Callie weighed in at 3 pounds, 14 ounces; Keri, 3 pounds, 9 ounces.
The program was costly, Lloyd Jones said. Then, looking at the babies, he added, ``We got our money's worth.''
A wide range of diagnostic and treatment methods are available at The Jones Institute. The Jones family of Suffolk opted for in vitro fertilization, in which eggs are retrieved from the woman's ovaries and inseminated in the laboratory with her husband's sperm. After three or four days, up to four fertilized eggs are transferred to the woman's uterus in hopes of establishing pregnancy.
On a recent visit to the Jones home, Dad was feeding Hannah, Mom was changing Callie and Keri was in her swing.
``We're busy, but it's not as bad as everybody made it out to be,'' Lloyd said. ``People say we're brave. Most people congratulate us, often adding: `Better you than me.' Some offer us condolence.''
Laurie, 33, works at Morris & Piland Printing Co.; Lloyd, 36, is a Norfolk Naval Shipyard engineering duty officer. A nanny cares for the triplets during the day.
Mom and dad are childhood sweethearts from Bertie County, N.C. - he from Roper, she from Merry Hill. Both attended Lawrence Academy in Merry Hill.
The Joneses moved to Suffolk in 1993, from Virginia Beach. They attend Western Branch Baptist Church, whose members often helped with meals while the Jones family settled in.
``I had two months where I didn't have to cook at all,'' Laurie said. ``His aunt and uncle - Ronald and Ida Chappell of Suffolk - helped a lot.''
The more weight the babies put on, the easier it is to distinguish them. ``Callie's impatient for food and very vocal,'' Laurie said. ``Keri is very attentive, entertains herself and rarely cries. Hannah is a little bit of each - at first not as vocal as Callie or as quiet as Keri,'' she said. ``Now, she's quite vocal. They all grin and laugh.''
The family's hope for their children: ``We just want them to grow up healthy and happy,'' Laurie said. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Laurie and Lloyd Jones hold their triplets shortly after bringing
them home from the hospital. The baby girls are Callie Morgan, left,
Keri Anne and Hannah Leigh.
TO LEARN MORE
Free video about the Jones Institute: call 1-800-515-6637; or visit
the office, at 601 Colley Ave., Norfolk.
KEYWORDS: MULTIPLE BIRTHS TRIPLETS IN VITRO FERTILIZATION by CNB