‘Absolute disbelief’: Incredibly rare spontaneous identical triplets born in Louisiana

A Louisiana couple welcomed spontaneous identical triplets in August – a rare occurrence that happens with only one in every one million to one in every two hundred million births. 

Claire, Ella, and Lily Cordaro were born to Haley and Matthew Cordaro on August 28 at Willis-Knighton South & the Center for Women’s Health in Louisiana. The term “spontaneous” means that the identical babies were conceived naturally. According to a hospital press release, the babies were the first multiples on either side of the family. 

We “were in absolute disbelief,” Matthew told People of learning the news that they were expecting triplets. “Our feelings then shifted towards worry due to the pregnancy being very high risk in nature,” he said. “Once we got to the second trimester and on, our doctor visits continually brought great news.”

Haley went into labor prematurely at 31 weeks, so the babies have spent the first weeks of their lives in the NICU. However, doctors say they hope to go home this week. The girls’ doctor, Dr. Gerald Brent Whitton, MD, says they have been doing remarkably well despite their early start.

READ: 1 in 264,000 chance: Mother of twins naturally conceives rare fraternal triplets

“They have done very well. It has been a straightforward and uncomplicated stay,” Dr. Whitton said in the hospital statement. “As we get closer to the babies’ release, we will get the parents up here and get them used to taking care of all three at the same time.”

The triplets will join their three-year-old big sister, Kennedy, at home. “Kennedy is just smitten with her little baby sisters!” Haley wrote on Facebook.

The happy parents told People they are looking forward to adjusting to life as parents of four.

“We were so fortunate and blessed to have made it 32 weeks and to have delivered three healthy babies considering all the potential risks when pregnant with multiples,” they said. “We know we will have some challenges ahead but are ecstatic for our new life with the girls.”