Higher Order Multiples (HOM)
HOM is an acronym for Higher Order Multiples. Not higher order as in extremely intelligent, or some strange religious cult, but higher in number. That is triplets, quads and quintuplets!
Australia has quite a few families with Higher Order Multiples. AMBA data for the year to April 2002 reports 73 HOM births nationwide, of which 72 were triplets, and one was quads. In fact, over the preceding 5 years there were between 70 and 100 HOM births each year.
The SSMBA has a HOM Co-ordinator to support the local HOM mums. Whether by phone call or visit HOM parents can ask questions and share their feelings with someone else who knows what they are going through because they have been there themselves! The HOM Co-ordinator will also organise coffee mornings especially for HOM families. Of course, HOM families are also encouraged to participate in the general coffee mornings with all SSMBA members.
The AMBA has a special division for HOM families which is State run. There is also a quarterly national magazine produced called “Australian HOM Connection". The AMBA now has a HOM email forum, where parents from across Australia can talk about their children, ask questions, share photos and obtain information and support about a range of HOM issues.
Whether you have twins, triplets or more the SSMBA care about you!
