ANN ARBOR, Mich., Nov. 13 -- Michigan's first family more than doubled Sunday with the birth of triplets to Michelle Engler, the wife of Gov. John Engler. Three health baby girls -- Margaret Rose, Hannah Michelle and Madeleine Jenny -- were born by Caesarean section at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor.
The babies are the couple's first children. They're also the first children born to a sitting Michigan governor since 1864. Doctors decided Mrs. Engler, 36, should undergo the C-section before her Dec. 22 due date to reduce the risk of complications. The births came less than a week after a rotund and beaming Mrs. Engler appeared with her 46-year-old husband on a Lansing campaign stage, waving to supporters following the Republican governor's landslide re-election victory. Following doctors' orders, Mrs. Engler limited her activity during the gubernatorial campaign. But state residents had followed her pregnancy closely ever since it was announced in June. The governor's spokesman Rusty Hills said the Englers arrived at the hospital at about 8:30 a.m. EST. The babies were born at about one minute apart starting at 10:59 a.m. A hospital spokeswoman said Margaret was born first, weighing 5 pounds, 3.5 ounces. Hannah was second born and weighed 4 pounds, 11 1/2 ounces. Medeleine was third, with a weight of 4 pounds, 15 1/2 ounces. Mrs. Engler was resting comfortably. The governor was with her during delivery. The girls were named after relatives.
