These three little babes, cuddled in their mother’s arms, are the best Christmas present Shannon Page could ever hope for.
Because before – and after they came into the world, they had to fight to survive.
Doctors repeatedly advised Mrs. Page, 29, and her husband, Ace, 28, to have one of the rare 200 million-to-one identical triplets exterminated, fearing they would lose all three babies before they were born.
But the couple trusted their instincts and moved 40 miles from their home in Wincanton, Somerset, to be closer to the specialist neonatal unit at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol, in case Mrs Page went into labour.
She managed to make it to 29 weeks before the boys, named Cruz, Enzo and Aljo, were born on October 6, weighing 2lb 7oz, 2lb 11oz and 2lb 13oz respectively.
And after spending the first three months in the hospital, the trio was finally well enough to leave and spend their first Christmas at home.
Last night Mrs Page said: ‘It’s been an absolute whirlwind. We live outside of the hospital and try to navigate each day as it comes.
‘But now the boys are doing very well; their feeding tubes are out and they feed from bottles.
Mom, Shannon Page and dad Ace with their three identical triplets Cruz, Enzo and Aljo who were born ten weeks premature on October 6
After three months of hospital care, Cruz, Enzo and Aljo were finally well enough to go home for their first Christmas.
The boys were born at 29 weeks and six days – just over ten weeks premature
“Having them home for Christmas is the best gift we could have hoped for. We feel so incredibly happy. Our house will certainly never be the same again.’
Mr and Mrs Page, who have been together since they were teenagers, started IVF treatment on the NHS last year and had their first embryo implanted at the end of March.
They were delighted when a scan seven weeks later showed they were having twins.
But at another scan after nine weeks they were ‘shocked’ when doctors revealed they could still see a heartbeat and that Mrs Page was actually carrying triplets.
However, the pregnancy was difficult and around the seventeenth week Mrs. Page began to faint.
Doctors discovered a rare complication that can occur with multiple pregnancies, the so-called twin transfusion syndrome. The condition occurs when the babies share a placenta and can cause one of the babies to consume more nutrients, limiting the growth of the others.
The doctors advised the couple to consider having one or two of the babies aborted so that they had the best chance of delivering one of their children alive.
But the couple, who have documented their parenthood journey on TikTok, receiving tens of thousands of views, decided they couldn’t make that choice and would instead “let nature take its course.”
Doctors advised the couple to consider having one or two of the babies aborted so that they had the best chance of delivering one of their children alive.
Identical triplets are so rare that they only occur in one in 200 million births. From left to right: Enzo, Cruz, Aljo
However, a 19-week scan revealed further problems with Ms Page’s cervix, meaning she could give birth within days.
So a few weeks later the couple made the difficult decision to spend £4,000 and move from the specialist neonatal unit in Bristol to a temporary rental home in a matter of minutes.
Mr Page, a plasterer, said: ‘The doctors were quite certain we wouldn’t make it to 21 weeks and if we hadn’t, none of the babies would have survived.
“We were advised by several people to maybe terminate one or two to help one survive.
“We decided not to go through with it and it’s the best thing we did. We let nature take its course and are very grateful for that.’
The boys were born at 29 weeks and six days – just over ten weeks premature.
After birth, they were transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
Although Cruz suffered a minor setback last month (November) and had to be separated from his brothers for two weeks when he developed an intestinal infection common in premature babies, he is now doing well. This week (December 19) the trio can go home for the first time.
After birth, the triplets were transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Doctors repeatedly advised Ms. Page to abort one of the identical triplets, fearing they would lose all three babies
Ms Page, who works in the financial sector, added: ‘We’re not religious but this is like a gift from God – it’s amazing.
“We’ve gone from having no children and almost feeling like we might never have them to having three before I’m 30.”
Identical triplets are so rare that they only occur in one in 200 million births.
Mr Page added: “To be honest, we are at a loss for words. I don’t think it has really sunk in that we have three identical boys. The past few months have been hectic to say the least, so we’re looking forward to getting back into our routine and getting back to a sense of normalcy.
“But we couldn’t be more grateful for the love and support we have received.”
To follow the triplets’ journey, visit @thepagetrio on TikTok.