Our little miracles: IVF triplets born more than six weeks early celebrate their first Christmas at home

The parents of “miracle” triplets born prematurely earlier this year are 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 were born six weeks and four days early by an elective Cesarean, with Mrs Donegan requiring a transfusion after losing more than two-and-a-half litres 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.

Max, Troy and Scarlett with their parents Roy and Laura (Roy Donegan/PA Wire)

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.”

(Roy Donegan/PA Wire)

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 4lb 2oz, 3lb 14oz and 3lb 8oz 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 assists parents with three or more babies.

The charity helped the couple with feeding and bathing routines, as well as supporting them on how to prepare for Mr Donegan’s eventual return to work.

The Donegans celebrated Christmas Day with six visiting family members in their new home.

Additional reporting by PA Media