Kelvin Acutt (left) and his wife Amber are expecting triplets but Kelvin may not be present for the birth. Photo / Supplied
Kelvin Acutt (left) and his wife Amber are expecting triplets but Kelvin may not be present for the birth. Photo / Supplied
"We're in a state of upheaval."
This is how expectant father Kelvin Acutt describes his family's situation.
Kelvin and his wife Amber Acutt are back in Rotorua after being rushed to Auckland Hospital last week when their doctor determined their unborn triplets were in need of constant monitoring.Amber is 29 weeks pregnant.
They were allowed to come home for the weekend because travel across alert level boundaries was permitted if returning home from hospital.
In the likely scenario Amber is sent back to Auckland, however, Kelvin faces a choice between going with her and having to stay for an unknown period, or splitting the family.
The Acutts' medical specialist is based at Auckland Hospital. This and the triplets' need for a specific level of neonatal intensive care unit means the babies will probably be born in Auckland.
But Kelvin's application for an open-ended exemption to cross the Auckland border for the birth of his children was denied on September 28.
He understood he could travel to Auckland with Amber without an exemption but could not then travel back and forth, meaning he would either need to stay with her until the babies were born - or not travel with her at all.
Kelvin said he had been given unpaid leave from work to be with Amber in Auckland last week but they could not afford to continue that.
He attended each of Amber's twice-weekly scans at the Rotorua Hospital, in case she and the unborn babies need to be taken to Auckland again.
"I don't know how far I can be from home," Kelvin said.
"Any of the scans could lead to [Amber] being admitted."
Kelvin said the chances of conceiving triplets naturally were about one in 10,000.
"The thing about triplets a lot of people don't understand is they're very high-risk."
Kelvin said there was a good chance the children would be born prematurely, and may need to be resuscitated in the operating room immediately after the C-section, he said.
"It's a traumatic experience," he said. "So for my wife to have to go through that alone is not something I'm willing to let happen."
Amber's next scan is scheduled tomorrow.
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Rotorua MP Todd McClay. Photo / NZME
Kelvin said Rotorua MP Todd McClay had been in contact to support the family in their situation.
McClay was optimistic about the outcome.
"We're working with [the family] almost daily, liaising with their specialist and talking with the Ministry. I'm hopeful we'll find a solution."
A Ministry of Health spokesperson said the Ministry had been in direct contact with Kelvin and Amber to clarify the boundary rules as they apply in this situation.
"Mr Acutt is able to accompany his wife across the Auckland boundary in order to attend appointments with a health service in Auckland, without requiring an exemption. He is also able to legally return to his home in a level 2 area."
The spokesperson said open-ended exemptions were not granted to allow individuals to make multiple trips across the alert level boundaries.
"However under the current boundary rules, someone is able to cross the boundary without an exemption if it is an emergency and is necessary to preserve their own or any other person's life or safety."
Kelvin's sister Christine Keys set up a Givealittle page for the couple, which has raised $3580 over six days.
Kelvin said the funds raised would go towards essentials such as mortgage and electricity in the event he could not return to work.
Kelvin said he and his family were grateful for the support they'd received after their story was featured in the NZ Herald.
"The Ronald McDonald House put me up in a hotel and [provided] me with meals which was a blessing."
Kelvin said he and his family had also received many kind words and messages from the Rotorua community.
