Cuddled up in their mother’s arms, these three tiny babes are the best Christmas gift Shannon Page could ever have hoped for.

Because before – and after – they arrived in the world they’ve had to battle for survival.

Doctors repeatedly advised Mrs Page, 29, and her husband, Ace, 28, to terminate one of the rare 200-million-to-one identical triplets amid fears they would lose all three babies before they were born.

But the couple trusted their instincts and moved 40 miles from their home in Wincanton, Somerset, to be closer to the specialist neo-natal unit at St Michael’s Hospital, in Bristol, in case Mrs Page went into labour.

She managed to get to 29 weeks before the boys, named Cruz, Enzo and Aljo, were born weighing 2lb 7oz, 2lb 11oz, and 2lb 13oz, respectively, on October 6.

And after spending their first three months in hospital, the trio were finally well enough to leave and spend their first Christmas at home.

Last night Mrs Page said: ‘It’s been an absolute whirlwind. We’ve been living out of hospital and trying to navigate each day as it comes.

‘But now the boys are doing really well; their feeding tubes are out and they are feeding from bottles.

Mum, Shannon Page, and dad, Ace with their three identical triplets Cruz, Enzo and Aljo who were born ten weeks early on October 6

After three months of being cared for in hospital, Cruz, Enzo and Aljo were finally well enough to go home for their first Christmas

The boys were delivered at 29 weeks and six days – just over ten weeks early

‘Having them home for Christmas is the best present we could have possibly hoped for. We feel so incredibly fortunate. Our home will certainly never be the same again.’

Mr and Mrs Page, who have been together since they were teenagers, started IVF treatment on the NHS last year and had their first embryo implanted at the end of March.

They were thrilled when, a scan seven weeks later, revealed they were having twins.

But another scan at nine weeks left them ‘shocked’ when doctors revealed they could see another heartbeat and, in fact, Mrs Page was carrying triplets.

However, the pregnancy was difficult, and at around 17 weeks Mrs Page started fainting.

Medics discovered a rare complication which can occur in multiple pregnancies called twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. The condition occurs when the babies share a placenta and can result in one of the infants receiving more nutrients, restricting the growth of the others.

The doctors advised the couple to consider terminating one or two of the babies to give them the best chance of delivering one of their children alive.

But the couple, who have been documenting their parenting journey on TikTok, where they’ve received tens of thousands of views, decided they couldn’t make that choice and instead let ‘nature take its course.’

Doctors advised the couple to consider terminating one or two of the babies to give them the best chance of delivering one of their children alive

Identical triplets are so rare they are thought to occur in just one in 200 million births. Left to right: Enzo, Cruz, Aljo

However, a 19-week scan revealed further problems with Mrs Page’s cervix which meant she could go into labour within days.

So a few weeks later the couple made the difficult decision to shell out £4,000 and move into a temporary rented home within a few minutes of the specialist neo-natal unit in Bristol.

Mr Page, a plasterer, said: ‘The doctors were pretty certain we weren’t going to make it past 21 weeks, which if we didn’t none of the babies would have survived.

‘We were advised by several people to maybe terminate one or two to help one survive.

‘We decided not to go ahead with it and it is the best thing we have done. We let nature take its course and we are super grateful.’

The boys were delivered at 29 weeks and six days – just over ten weeks early.

After the birth, they were moved to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Although Cruz had a little setback last month (November) and had to be separated from his brothers for two weeks when he developed a bowel infection common in premature babies, he is now doing well. This week (Dec 19) the trio will be allowed home for the first time.

Mrs Page, who works in finance, added: ‘We’re not religious but this is like a gift from God – it’s amazing.

‘We’ve gone from having no children and almost feeling it may never happen, to having three before I’m 30.’

Identical triplets are so rare they are thought to occur in just one in 200 million births.

Mr Page added: ‘We’re lost for words to be honest, I don’t think it’s really sunk in that we’ve got three identical boys. The last few months have been hectic, to say the least, so we’re looking forward to getting into our routine and getting back into a sense of normality.

‘But we can’t be more thankful for the love and support we’ve received.’

To follow the triplets’ journey go to @thepagetrio on TikTok.