Midwife gives birth to 'surprise' identical triplets

25 Apr 2008

A midwife from Peterborough has given birth to naturally-conceived identical triplets, beating the odds stacked against her, according to reports.

Identical sisters Gabriella, Alessia and Olivia were born seven weeks prematurely weighing between 3lb 4oz and 3lb 10oz and incubated in Peterborough Maternity Unit before proud mum, 23-year-old Carmela Testa, could take them home.

"I found out at my 12-week scan I was having triplets," Ms Testa said.

"I was very shocked. They weren't planned. They were born on 9 January, two days after my birthday so they were a lovely present."

The babies were delivered by emergency caesarean section, due to the mum's increasing blood pressure levels.

According to experts on multiple births, the odds of naturally conceiving identical triplets could reach as high as 200 million to one. Twins and triplets are more commonly born to women who have received IVF treatment.

Although Ms Testa revealed that there is a history of multiple births in the family, the girls are the first triplets.

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