Alysha Clark was 27 weeks and four days pregnant when labor began at work, far earlier than the planned delivery at a Rockford hospital. Within minutes of arriving at SSM Health Monroe, she was too far along for the transfer staff had initially planned, and doctors performed an emergency C-section. The triplets, each weighing just over 2 pounds, were born at a hospital without a neonatal intensive care unit. Staff prepared three infant warmers and assigned at least two team members to each baby, according to hospital staff and Clark’s family. Pediatricians, nurses, respiratory staff and other hospital workers joined the response. “It was definitely scary,” Clark said, describing how contractions became her focus as events moved quickly. Charge nurse Alicia Hammon said staff had trained and drilled for emergencies, but the premature triplet delivery required an unusually broad team effort. Hammon, who has worked at the hospital for 15 years, said she had never been part of a triplet birth there. The Monroe hospital arranged for NICU teams from Rockford to come to the hospital. Each baby was transported separately by ambulance, and staff kept the family informed as the babies arrived safely. Clark’s mother, Stephanie Baird, said the family was struck by how many medical workers were present, including a pediatrician and nurse for each infant. Six weeks after the birth, the babies were growing stronger in Rockford. Clark said the two girls were expected to have their CPAP support removed that Friday, while their brother was making progress after falling a little behind. The family also received donations and other help from community members as it faced hospital bills and unexpected expenses. Clark said she has been looking for a way to recognize the Monroe staff, considering custom pins or a plaque. “Just saying thank you,” she said, “I just feel like that’s just not enough.”