I gave birth to rare identical triplet girls – but was told theyd all be boys

A woman has given birth to rare naturally-conceived identical triplet girls, even though she was told they'd all be boys.

New parents Jake Hammerton, 22, and partner Caitlin Knight, 20, were thrilled when they learned Caitlin was pregnant.

The couple, from Deepcar, Sheffield, found out at their 22-week gender scan that they were having identical triplet boys – a 1 in 200 million case without IVF.

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The couple had even selected their unborn sons' names before Caitlin was rushed into hospital after going into labour on August 24.

But when the littles ones arrived at 32 weeks the following morning, the parents learned they actually had identical triplet girls.

Tiny Thea, Lily and Esmae (CORR) – originally called Theo, Luca and Jude – spent three weeks in separate cots undergoing required medical care, but on September 11 they were reunited for a cuddle for the first time since their birth.

Now the little ones are doing well, and the parents hope to bring them home from the hospital in the coming weeks.

Jake, who works as an electrical engineer, said: "The triplets didn't meet until last week because of all the machines monitoring them.

"When they met, we could tell they definitely knew each other.

"They kept putting their hands on each other's faces.

"They don't cry as much when they're together – it soothes them.

"We're excited to have them home together – it will be a shock, but not as much of a shock as finding out our three boys were three girls!

"When I told Caitlin after her C-section, she wouldn't believe me.

"The doctors had to convince her.

"To be honest, our biggest concern was them coming out healthy.

"They weren't what we were expecting, but they're all doing well so we are happy.

"Bringing them home will definitely be a challenge, but it's one we're ready for."

Jake explained that he and Caitlin, then 21 and 19, had never planned to get pregnant, and had used contraception.

But on February 14 – Valentine's Day – they discovered the surprise news that they were expecting.

Two months later, on Jake's birthday on April 5, he got the best present – the news that they were having three babies.

Caitlin added: "When I saw the babies for the first time, I just cried.

"I was so overcome with emotion – I can't explain it.

"When Jake told me they were all girls, I thought he was joking. I kept saying 'Stop, it's not funny!'

"Bringing them all together for the first time was such a nice feeling.

"Now I just can't wait to bring them all home."

Jake said when they went into Jessop Hospital, Sheffield, even the doctors were shocked when they spotted identical triplets because they're so rare.

Reports suggest the chances of having identical triplets naturally can be as miniscule as one in 200 million – meaning it was quite a high-risk pregnancy.

Caitlin, who works as a dental nurse, said: "At our second appointment they went through all the risks and it was all doom and gloom.

"They offered us an abortion, but we said absolutely not. We knew we wanted to keep them."

They were told they would be having three boys, and they kept asking if this was the case just to make sure.

As the planned caesarean section date of September 2 loomed, the parents-to-be, who are currently in the process of buying a house, picked out names for their sons.

They chose Theo, Luca and Jude for their little boys and nervously awaited their arrival.

But, on August 24, Caitlin started to experience back pains, and they began fearing something was wrong with the babies.

Then Caitlin's waters broke, and she was rushed into hospital for an emergency caesarean section.

The triplets were later born early in the morning of August 25 but – to the parents' shock – all three of their new-born 'sons' were in fact girls.

Jake said: "We had no idea until the moment they were born.

"We checked lots of times and every midwife said they were all boys.

"Then they began pulling out the babies and when I went to look after, I saw they all had little pink hats, not blue.

"I told Caitlin and she didn't even believe me.

"The doctors had to convince her I was telling the truth."

Caitlin added: "Jake told me and I said 'don't joke like that, it's not funny!' but he wasn't joking."

Tiny Thea, originally Theo, was born weighing 3lb1. Lily, originally Luca, was born weighing 4lb1. Esmae, originally Jude, weighed 3lb6.

Thea had to be rushed off for treatment due to her tiny size, but Caitlin and Jake had a moment to cuddle with the other two girls before they also were taken to the NICU.

Caitlin said: "When I saw the babies for the first time, I just cried. I was so overcome with emotion."

The new parents had prepared a nursery for the little ones, but luckily it was neutral coloured so they didn't have to try and swap the colours in a hurry.

What boys toys they had purchased they donated to charity, and family bought them plenty of girls toys to replace them.

Jake said: "We didn't really mind the fact the genders were different than what we were told.

"We were really shocked, but they were healthy which was the main thing."

Originally the babies were all in separate rooms, because they needed to be wired up with tubes to give them oxygen and medication.

The parents visited them in hospital every day, watching the tiny babies get slightly bigger as time passed.

Eventually they were moved to the same room but different cots, until Sunday (11) when Thea was the final baby to be taken off a ventilator.

They finally shared a snuggle in the same cot for the first time since their birth – an emotional moment for the new parents.

Jake said: "We could tell they definitely knew each other when they were together.

"They kept putting their hands on each other's faces.

"They're all developing their own personalities.

"Thea is so feisty and keeps ripping out her tubes. Esmae is always smiling, and Lily is so lazy – she just sleeps all day!"

The proud parents are now counting down the days until they can bring them home, which doctors estimate may be as soon as mid-October.

Jake is also waiting to take his paternity leave when they can come home and begin their lives in the real world, while Caitlin has mostly healed from her C-section now.

Caitlin said: "I can’t wait to bring our babies home, and just get on with it ourselves. Nappies and feeding without all the wires."

Jake added: "It's been a strange experience but I don’t think there’s anything to compare it to.

"It was definitely a shock getting three daughters instead of sons!

"I think it’ll make it more real once they’re home. We're ready."

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