A couple have beaten odds up to 200million-to-one by having identical triplets…and they are home for Christmas.
Stacey and Grant Silk – who already have two sons – were first told they were having twins.
But to their surprise they learned they were expecting three babies.
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The triplets, named Hunter, Bodhi and Travis, were conceived naturally by the couple of Shepton Mallet, Somerset.
Identical – or monozygotic triplets – are extremely rare because they are formed from the same egg.
Such babies are always the same sex, either all boys or all girls.
Estimates of the odds of conceiving them naturally vary from one-in-100,000 to one-in-two million chances.
The three baby boys were due to be born on Christmas Day but arrived early at 33 weeks on 6 November within minutes of each other.
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Stacey said it was magical to welcome the three boys home after they spent three weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit.
“We’re so lucky that they’ve all been born healthy and have made such good progress so quickly.
“It feels as though someone’s been looking over us,” a thrilled Stacey said.
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“Although the pregnancy was difficult at times, especially physically, I was very lucky not to have any of the medical complications that can come with triplets.
“Every single staff member was incredible.
“Our boys have known nothing but love since they were born.
“We’re just overjoyed, so happy.”
Grant added “It’s fantastic having them at Christmas time.
“It’s amazing.”
The triplets are brothers to Stacey and Grant’s two other children Juke, seven and three-year-old Blake, as reported by What’s The Jam.
When the couple attended Stacey’s first scan they were told they would be having twins.
She said: “We were left a bit speechless when we were told it would be twins but we came to terms with it quite quickly and let all our friends and family know.
“Grant joked at the time, ‘Imagine if there’s another one’.
“Little did we know.”
It was at their next scan that they found out they would be having triplets.
“When we were told we just looked at each other and burst into laughter.
“We couldn’t believe it,” said Stacey.
“When we got back to the car we just sat there in silence for a few minutes trying to make sense of it all.
“It was quite overwhelming at the time.
“Grant had just bought a new car and said he was glad he’d chosen the nine-seater.”
Now back home Stacey said the couple were looking forward to a big family Christmas.
“We’re taking it one day at a time and embracing the chaos – we’re quite a chaotic family anyway so it suits us.
“We can’t wait for Christmas with all the boys.
“We’ve told all our family to make sure they all cook over the Christmas holidays and we’ll spend the season visiting them all and eating all their food.”
Stacey said telling the triplets apart wasn’t too difficult.
“My favourite game is sending photos to the family and playing guess the baby.
“I’m hoping that by this time next year we’ll all have it sussed otherwise we’re in big trouble.”
Grant added: “I’m not too bad at it – but it was easier at first because they were different colours from the jaundice.”
The triplets were born at Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation, where they spent three weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Stacey said: “We’ve been so well looked after.
“Everyone has been so supportive and helpful.
“I call the staff there our angels on earth.”
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