'A beautiful thing:' 3 babies born within 24 hours to the same Resolute family

Resolute Bay's Sarah Salluviniq had an unforgettable weekend — she welcomed three new babies to her family including her own.

Sarah and her two biological daughters all went into labour and gave birth within 24 hours starting on Friday night at Iqaluit's Qikiqtani General Hospital.

"It's an amazing thing; it's such a beautiful thing," says Sarah.   

Sarah's baby greeting marathon started on Thursday when she was at the hospital at her cousin's bedside while her cousin gave birth to a baby boy.

Still exhausted from that event, Sarah was once again called to the hospital — her younger daughter Jazlin was going into labour.

"I was in the shower Friday when they said they're going to pop Jazlin's water so we rushed to the hospital," says Sarah.

Jazlin gave birth to her first child, a six pound, 10 ounce baby girl she named Angelina, on Friday night.

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With another birth barely over, Sarah had to switch gears to support her other daughter.

"They said they were going to induce Amy but she was already 4 to 5 centimetres so they didn't need to induce her," says Sarah.

Amy, Sarah's biological daughter who was adopted as a child, went into labour a few short hours after Jazlin. She gave birth on Saturday morning just after 2:30 a.m. to a 6 pound, 15 ounce baby girl — her third child.

Amy's baby has been adopted by Melanie Howell and Joe Amarualik, also of Resolute Bay. Her family hasn't decided on her first name yet so for now she's baby girl Amarualik.

"As soon as Amy was done, I started to have my contractions," says Sarah.

Within a few hours Sarah's son, seven pound David, was born. He's Sarah's fifth child.

'A blessing'

Sarah says being at her daughters' bedsides was harder than giving birth to her own son.

But now that the strain of childbirth is over, the moms and babies are all smiles.

Jazlin, who's a first time mom, says so far "it's all right."

She seems to be quickly getting the hang of changing diapers, breastfeeding and soothing a crying baby. Luckily she's surrounded by more experienced moms willing to lend a hand and offer advice.

Melanie Howell, the adoptive mom of Amy's little girl, is excited to take her baby home to Resolute Bay. Her 11-year-old son Sagiaqtuq is already assuming his role as a big brother, protectively watching over his little sister.

"She's a blessing," says Howell.

"I'm grateful to Amy. The Salluviniq women are amazing."

Despite being adopted, baby girl Amarualik is still among her biological family — her adoptive dad's father Simeonie and Sarah's dad Allie are related — Simeonie is Allie's uncle.