The ruling on one who divorces his wife three times while she is menstruating

The listener (M. Z. M.) from Makkah al-Mukarramah, P.O. Box 723, sent a message containing this case, stating: I have been listening to this program for years, and I thank your Eminence for graciously answering the listeners' questions. My problem is that I divorced my wife three times while she was menstruating. At the time of the divorce, no one was present except my wife and me. I have eight children, and I deeply regret doing this. My question is: Did the divorce take effect or not? I want to take her back. Please advise us, and may you receive abundant thanks?
Answer: You must appear before the court you have, or before some of the shaykhs, together with her and her guardian, so that your words, her words, and her guardian's words are written down. After that, the fatwa will be issued, if Allah wills, so that we may know the truth. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.