A couple has beaten odds of up to 200 million to one by having identical triplets.
Stacey and Grant Silk, from Shepton Mallet, Somerset, who already have two children, were first told they were having twins, but to their surprise they discovered they were expecting three babies.
The triplets, named Hunter, Bodhi and Travis, were conceived naturally by the couple.
Identical (or monozygotic) triplets are extremely rare because they form from the same egg. These babies are always the same sex, whether they are all boys or all girls.
Estimates of the chances of conceiving naturally vary from one in 100,000 to one in 200 million.
All three babies were due on Christmas Day, but arrived before 33 weeks on November 6, just a few minutes apart.
Stacey said it was magical to welcome the three children home after spending three weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit.
“We are very lucky that they were all born healthy and progressed so quickly.
Stacey and Grant Silk, from Shepton Mallet, Somerset, have beaten odds of up to 200 million to one to have identical triplets.
“It feels like someone’s been watching us,” Stacey said excitedly.
‘Although the pregnancy was difficult at times, especially physically, I was very lucky not to have any of the medical complications that can arise with triplets.
‘Every member of staff was amazing. Our children have known nothing but love since they were born.
“We are very happy, very happy.”
Grant added: “It’s great to have them at Christmas.” It’s amazing.’
The triplets are siblings of Stacey and Grant’s two other children, Juke, seven, and Blake, three.
When the couple attended Stacey’s first scan, they were told they were having twins.
She said: “We were a little speechless when we were told it would be twins, but we accepted it quite quickly and let all our friends and family know.”
‘Grant joked at the time, ‘Imagine if there was another one.’ Little did we know.’
It was at their next scan that they discovered they were having triplets.
The triplets, named Hunter, Bodhi and Travis, were conceived naturally by the couple.
‘When they told us, we just looked at each other and laughed.
“We couldn’t believe it,” Stacey said.
‘When we got back to the car we sat 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 chose the nine-seater.”
Now back home, Stacey said the couple were looking forward to a big family Christmas.
‘We go day by day and accept the chaos; We’re a pretty chaotic family anyway, so it suits us.
‘We can’t wait for Christmas with all the kids.
“We have told our entire family to make sure everyone cooks during the Christmas holidays and we will spend the season visiting everyone and eating all their food.”
Stacey said telling the triplets apart wasn’t too difficult.
‘My favorite game is sending photos to the family and playing guess the baby.
“I hope that by this time next year we will all have it clear, otherwise we will be in big trouble.”
Grant added: “I’m not that bad at it, but at first it was easier because they were different colors than jaundice.”
The triplets were born at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation, where they spent three weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Stacey said: ‘We have been looked after very well. Everyone has been very supportive and helpful. I call the staff there our angels on earth.’