"Scarlett, Max, and Troy were conceived after four rounds of IVF treatments and were born weighing just 4 pounds 2 ounces, 3 pounds 14 ounces, and 3 pounds 8 ounces, respectively.
The parents of these "miracle" triplets welcomed them prematurely earlier this year and are now celebrating their first Christmas in their new family home.
Laura Donegan, 39, from Reading, gave birth to Scarlett, Max, and Troy on June 26 this year after her fourth attempt at IVF treatment.
The trio was born six weeks and four days early by elective caesarean, with Mrs. Donegan requiring a transfusion after losing more than two and a half liters of blood.
Despite their premature birth, the triplets and their mother were able to leave St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London, after just six nights and without needing to spend any time in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Now, Mrs. Donegan and her husband, Roy, 39, are spending their first Christmas together as a family of five, with their triplets turning six months old on Boxing Day.
Mrs. Donegan said: "During the pregnancy, we just wanted them to be healthy, and we were worried there might be complications."
"We were so relieved they were healthy. We definitely feel as though it was a miracle."
Accountant Mr. Donegan added: "It has been a long journey to be where we are now with four rounds of IVF treatment. It got to the point where you think, 'Will it ever happen?'"
Scarlett, Max, and Troy, who weighed 4 pounds 2 ounces, 3 pounds 14 ounces, and 3 pounds 8 ounces respectively at birth, needed feeding eight times a day for the first few months of their lives – a process that took one and a half hours each time, Mr. Donegan said.
Adding to the stress, the couple moved 12 weeks after the birth from their home in Brook Green, central London, to a property in Reading to be closer to their family.
Mr. Donegan said while the enormity of having triplets was initially a "complete overload," they were assisted by the charity Multiple Milestones, which helps parents with three or more babies.
The charity helped the couple with feeding and bathing routines, as well as supporting them as they prepared for Mr. Donegan's eventual return to work.
The Donegans celebrated Christmas Day with six visiting family members in their new home."
