A couple who struggled to conceive for years said they "could not be happier" - after giving birth to identical triplets through IVF.

Shannon, 29, and Ace Page, 28, turned to in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment last year with the NHS and had their first embryo implanted at the end of March.

The couple - who have been together for nine years - went for treatment in the hopes of having a child before they reached the age of 30.

Returning to the hospital after seven weeks they were told they were going to have twins.

But on their ninth week scan the couple were left "shocked" when doctors told them there was another baby on the way.

For more stories about the people of Somerset, get your Somerset County Gazette subscription here

 

As the pregnancy progressed Shannon started fainting quite often - and at 17 weeks they were told that one of the babies was taking more of the placenta than the other two.

The couple then faced a difficult choice in the pregnancy - as there was a chance they may lose one of the boys.

Ace, of Wincanton, Somerset, said: "We were advised by several people to maybe terminate one or two to help one survive.

"We decided to not go ahead with it it and it is the best thing we have done. We let nature take its course and we are super grateful."

At 19 weeks doctors told Shannon's cervix had tunnelled and shortened - which meant she could give birth within two weeks.

But they moved to Bristol to be closer to St Michael's Hospital in case she went into labour.

Shannon said: "We went from having all of our scans good and all of a sudden it didn't seem like we had good news. 

"At this point a lot of people knew and every time you saw somebody we didn't know what was going to happen."

As their commute between Wincanton and Bristol was around one hour and an half, staying in short-terms in Bristol costed the family more than £4,000.

But at 29 weeks Shannon gave birth to three boys on October 6.

Cruz weighed 2Ib7oz (1.1kg), Enzo 2Ib11oz (1.2kg), and Aljo 2Ib13oz (1.2kg).

And while Shannon was still being treated post delivery, the couple were told they would be moved as they did not need St Michael's specialist care.

"I was in Bristol hospital and my babies were in Gloucester," said Shannon.

"Over the next 12 hours we were all moved to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, so it was quite difficult."

The boys are currently still in the hospital receiving treatment.

Shannon said: "They have all been lovely in Gloucester and we have our own room.

"Cruz has had the toughest ride all of the three. He has had a few infections but touch wood he stays out of the ICU. They are primarily fed by a tube."

The couple - who have been together for nine years - said they would love to be home in time for Christmas.

Ace added: “It is pretty crazy going from having no kids to three all in one go.

"I don't think we really have had the experience of being parents but once we get home it will really sink in."

The pair has used TikTok to document their pregnancy journey - which had tens of thousands of views.

Their content can be viewed on @thepagetrio.