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Health Watch Exclusive: Identical Triplets Born In Montgomery County

By Stephanie Stahl

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The odds are one in a million for having identical triplets, but it's happened in Montgomery County.  3 On Your Side Health Reporter Stephanie Stahl has the exclusive first look at the babies.

The triplets were born earlier this month at Abington Memorial Hospital where they are still hospitalized so they can get a little extra nutritional support.

Ava was born first.  She's already tired of all the attention.  Next came Avery, who's soaking it all up.  Alissa was last, she's catching up on some beauty rest.

Allison and Wes Rhoa have been in shock since they found out they were having triplets, when she first got pregnant.

"I still can't believe it that it happened.  So it was definitely something we weren't expecting, but we couldn't be happier now that they're here," said Allison.  She was 33 weeks along when the babies were delivered by cesarean section on February 5th.  They all weighed around four pounds, and unlike many preemies, they were breathing on their own.  Their only issue is feeding, which is why they have temporary tubes for supplemental nutrition.

"One of the challenges with premature babies in general is that they don't have the neurologic or developmental ability to eat by mouth yet," said Dr. Eddie Chang, a Neonatologist at Abington Memorial Hospital.  He says spontaneous triplets, meaning they were conceived naturally without fertility help, are extremely rare.  One in a million.

"They actually all come from one zygote, one fertilized egg.  And they've split from that original egg," said Dr. Chang.

"She got pregnant when we were in Mexico on our honeymoon," said Wes.

Allison and Wes were in Puerto Vallarta, wanting a family eventually.  Never imagining they'd have three all at once.

"As soon as you're done feeding all three and the other ones are rested you've got to start all over again.  So it's non-stop," said Wes.

They decided on all A names.  Their A-Team of little angels."We did Grace, Faith and Hope as the middle names," said Wes.

The girls are expected to go home in two to three weeks have normal, healthy lives.  Their parents are thankful for all of the donations and support from family and friends.  There are no multiple births on either side of their families.

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