I struggled to conceive for years but then gave birth to one-in-200 million identical triplets – they are a gift from God

A young couple who struggled for years to conceive have welcomed identical triplets into the world.

Shannon and Ace Page, both 28, had been together for nine years when they turned to in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment in the hope of having a child before they reached the age of 30.

After the first embryo was implanted in March 2024, the couple, from Wincanton in Somerset, documented their pregnancy on a TikTok account.

But a surprise awaited Shannon and Ace. At their first scan they discovered they were expecting not one, not two, but three babies.

However, after a joyful gender reveal with family and friends in July, the Pages stopped posting updates to their account because their boys “took a turn for the worse.”

At just 17 weeks, Shannon was fainting regularly and doctors realized that one of the triplets was absorbing more from the placenta than his brothers.

“The doctors were pretty sure we wouldn’t make it to 21 weeks,” Ace told BBC Points West.

“At that point we were told that we might not have three healthy children and were informed of our options around termination,” Shannon added.

At their very first scan, Shannon and Ace found out they were having triplets as a result of IVF

Shannon and Ace Page, who have been together since they were teenagers, at the gender reveal for their triplets

Shannon and Ace discussed the option of saving one baby and having two cut off, but agreed to “let nature take its course” because they would feel too guilty to intervene.

At 19 weeks, Shannon was told she was due to give birth soon as her cervix had shortened and the young couple moved to Bristol to be closer to the hospital.

During this stressful time they spent almost £4,000 on short-term rentals.

The three identical boys – Cruz, Enzo and Aljo – were delivered to St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol on October 6 after 29 weeks and six days – a one in 200 million incident.

Within the first 12 hours, the premature triplets were transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

The three boys have been under supervision since then and things have gone well for the most part, but it hasn’t been entirely smooth sailing.

Earlier this month, baby Cruz developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) – a serious disease in which tissues in the bowel (gut) become inflamed and start to die, according to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Fortunately, Cruz fought the infection with antibiotics and was reunited with his slightly younger brothers Enzo and Aljo, who are both doing well.

The eldest triplet Cruz developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) – a serious disease in which tissues in the intestine (intestine) become inflamed and begin to die

The three identical boys – Cruz, Enzo and Aljo – were delivered to St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol on October 6 after 29 weeks and six days.

The Pages now say they feel blessed, with Shannon adding: ‘We’re not religious, but this is life’s gift from God – it’s amazing.’

Shannon and Ace thanked the NICU staff at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital for caring for their boys.

The new mother of triplets said: ‘I’m turning 30 next year and we’ve gone from having no children and almost feeling like it might never happen to having three before I’m 30.’

Now the Pages are looking forward to bringing their happy and healthy babies home – hopefully just in time for Christmas.