Joy for Bewdley couple after rare identical triplets are born

River, Beau and Leo arrived ten weeks early when they were born within six minutes of each other at Worcestershire Royal Hospital on January 16 this year.

Parents Lauren and Jack Mountain had been shocked to learn at their 12 week scan they not not only expecting their first child - but their first three.

They were overjoyed when their incredibly rare trio of boys arrived safely into the world after being delivered by emergency C-section.

Mr and Mrs Mountain said they have been told the odds of having naturally conceived identical triplets is one in 200 million.

The rare triplets born prematurely. Picture: Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Mrs Mountain aged 28, who works as a sustainability adviser, said: "When we found out we were having triplets it was a complete shock, we couldn't believe it.

"It was pretty hard to process and get our heads around it as there are no twins or multiples in the family.

"We FaceTimed family and friends to break the news and see the reaction on their faces.

"A lot of people couldn't believe it and thought we were having them on. We had to show them the scan pictures to prove there really were three of them.

"They were sharing a placenta so we were told it would be a high risk pregnancy. We were a bit scared and a bit nervous.

"We were worried about how we would manage having three at the same time because Jack is an only child and we had always envisaged having a small family ourselves.

"It took a few weeks to process then we became really excited.

"The birth actually went really well, it was a healthy birth. There were only six minutes between them. River was at 6.59am, Beau at 7.04am and Leo at 7.06am.

"It was a hectic few minutes to say the least.

"Three identical is very rare. There are a lot of numbers going round but have heard everything between one in 200 million to one in two million."

Mrs Mountain with her new born triplets. Picture: Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Beau and Leo have now returned home with their mum and dad while River remains in hospital as he still requires breathing assistance.

Mrs Mountain added: "It's been a very tiring few weeks, months actually - but we are doing good now.

"It's madness with Beau and Leo at home and we are going back and forth to hospital to see River every day.

"Thankfully we have got a lot of support because it is chaos already."

Mr Mountain, aged 29, a plumber and heating engineer, added: "I was really shocked to find out we were having triplets and it took a while to sink in.

"I was nervous about how we'd deal with having three at home at once.

"As an only child I had hoped to have a small family. It is a real handful but we are managing with help from our family.

"I was so excited once we knew the pregnancy was going well and I'm delighted to be their dad.

"I couldn't be with Lauren for her hospital scans which has made it harder than in non-Covid times.

"It was an amazing relief when the birth went safely for Lauren and the boys."