Identical Triplets Born to Couple After IVF Struggle

A couple who became parents to identical triplets after “years” of difficulty conceiving described the past few months as “magical and amazing”. Shannon and Ace Page, both 28 and from Wincanton in Somerset, commenced in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment last year, with their initial embryo implanted in March. Ms. Page recounted the early stages of the pregnancy, stating: “At our seven-week scan we were told it was twins and at our nine-week scan they told us there was another one.” However, the couple encountered a challenging decision during the pregnancy due to the possibility of losing one of their sons. The couple had been chronicling their pregnancy on a TikTok account, which garnered tens of thousands of views. Updates were halted in week 17 after they received news that one of the triplets was receiving a disproportionate amount of nutrients from the placenta compared to his siblings. Ms. Page explained: “At that point, we were told we may not give birth to three healthy children and were made aware of our options around termination.” She elaborated on their predicament: “Although we could’ve chosen to save one baby and terminate two, we still could’ve lost them all.“Ms. Page added that she and her husband discussed the situation, concluding: “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.” By 19 weeks, Ms. Page’s cervix had shortened, leading medical professionals to inform the couple that she could go into labour within one to two weeks and to prompt them to reconsider their options. Despite this, they “stuck with their gut” and relocated to Bristol around week 23-24 of the pregnancy to be in closer proximity to the hospital should labour begin. Mr. Page commented: “We thought the babies were coming any minute,” noting that they have since spent nearly £4,000 on short-term rentals while residing in Bristol and Gloucestershire. Ms. Page stated: “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 born healthy at St Michael’s Hospital, Bristol, on 6 October, at a gestation of 29 weeks and 6 days. Following the boys’ birth at approximately 22:20 GMT – Cruz at 2Ib7oz (1.1kg), Enzo at 2Ib11oz (1.2kg), and Aljo at 2Ib13oz (1.2kg) – and while Ms. Page was undergoing post-delivery treatment, the couple was informed that they would be transferred because St Michael’s specialist care was not required. Ms. Page described the subsequent transfer: “Over the next 12 hours we were all moved to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, which was hard.“She added: “Instead of enjoying the moment, we were trying to work out who was going to be with whom.” Nevertheless, she praised the care received in Gloucestershire, describing the hospital as “absolutely amazing” in its treatment of the baby boys. The couple expressed feeling blessed, with Ms. Page remarking: “We’re not religious but this is like a gift from God – it’s amazing.“She further reflected: “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.” Ms. Page also noted that their friends and family were “so happy… It’s like a blessing for the whole family”. The couple, together for nine years, expressed their desire to be home for Christmas, though their primary wish was for their sons to be happy and healthy.