Identical IVF triplets like a 'gift from God'

A couple who became parents to identical triplets after struggling to conceive "for years" said the last few months had been “magical and amazing”.

Shannon and Ace Page, both 28 and from Wincanton in Somerset, turned to in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment last year and had their first embryo implanted in March.

Ms Page said: “At our seven-week scan we were told it was twins and at our nine-week scan they told us there was another one."

But the couple faced a difficult choice in the pregnancy when there was a chance they may lose one of the boys.

The couple had started to document the pregnancy through a TikTok account - which had tens of thousands of views - but paused updates in week 17 when they were told one of the triplets was taking more from the placenta than his brothers.

“At that point, we were told we may not give birth to three healthy children and were made aware of our options around termination," said Ms Page.

"Although we could’ve chosen to save one baby and terminate two, we still could’ve lost them all.

“Me and my husband had a chat and agreed if we intervened and something happened we’d blame ourselves, so we decided to let nature take its course."

At 19 weeks, the couple were told Ms Page could go into labour in a week or two as her cervix had shortened and were asked to review their options again.

But they “stuck with their gut” and moved to Bristol at around week 23-24 of the pregnancy to be closer to the hospital in case she went into labour.

"We thought the babies were coming any minute," Mr Page said, adding they had spent nearly £4,000 on short-term rentals since then, between staying in Bristol and Gloucestershire.

Ms Page said: "Because the pregnancy was a bit up and down at times, we pressed pause on any preparation as we felt we were jinxing it, so we haven’t even sorted a nursery."

The three boys were delivered healthy at St Michael's Hospital, Bristol, on 4 October, at 29 weeks and 6 days.

After the boys' arrival at around 22:20 GMT – weighing 2Ib7oz (1.1kg), 2Ib11oz(1.2kg), and 2Ib13oz (1.2kg) – and while Ms Page was still being treated post delivery, they were told they would be moved as they did not need St Michael's specialist care.

"Over the next 12 hours we were all moved to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, which was hard," Ms Page said.

“Instead of enjoying the moment, we were trying to work out who was going to be with whom.”

But she said the treatment in Gloucestershire had been good and the hospital had been "absolutely amazing" looking after the baby boys.

The couple said they felt blessed, with Ms Page adding: "We’re not religious but this is like a gift from God - it’s amazing.

“I’ll be 30 next year and we’ve gone from having no children and almost feeling it may never happen, to having three before I’m 30."

She said their friends and family were “so happy… It’s like a blessing for the whole family”.

The couple, who have been together for nine years, said they would love to be home for Christmas but all they really wanted was for the boys to be happy and healthy.

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