In a remarkable turn of events, Katie Craw, a 26-year-old from Wales, and her partner Rob Ellis received the surprise of a lifetime during a routine 12-week scan—they were expecting not one, but three babies. The news left the couple reeling, as they had initially anticipated welcoming their second child, only to discover they were about to become parents to identical triplets.

Typically, triplets are non-identical, resulting from the fertilization of two eggs, one of which splits to form twins. However, Katie’s case is rare, as she belongs to a select group of women in Britain who have monozygotic identical triplets—where a fertilized egg divides into three embryos after conception.

Already parents to four-year-old Jacob, Katie and Rob had planned for their second child, hoping for a sibling for their son before he began school. Their journey took an unexpected turn when Katie’s 12-week scan revealed not just one, but three tiny heartbeats, leaving the couple in disbelief.

“I thought she was going to tell me some bad news,” Katie recalled. “But she just came out with, ‘I can see three heartbeats.’ I knew she’s telling the truth. They always say I’m doing great, but I think I’m not good.”

Subsequent scans revealed that each baby had their own sac of fluid, indicating a healthy pregnancy despite the surprise of triplets. However, at 26 weeks, concerns arose about the growth of Tommy, the baby closest to the birth canal. Katie was given steroid injections and referred to an expert in multiple births at Liverpool Women’s Hospital.

Despite initial skepticism from medical professionals about the likelihood of identical triplets, further scans confirmed the extraordinary nature of Katie’s pregnancy. As the babies continued to thrive, Katie underwent a Cesarean section at 32 weeks, delivering Tommy, Joshua, and Eddie—each weighing between 2lbs 11.5oz and 3lbs 4.5oz.

Reflecting on the challenging journey, Katie expressed gratitude for the exceptional care she received, describing the experience as a mix of fear and excitement. Following a week-long hospital stay and additional time in parent accommodation, the family faced the added challenge of navigating childcare amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the kindness of their community provided much-needed support, with neighbors leaving essential supplies on their doorstep anonymously. Now, as a family-of-six, Katie and Rob are cherishing every moment together, grateful for the blessings of their identical triplets and the unwavering support of those around them.