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Three times the love: B.C. woman gives birth to identical triplets

Nelson含羞草研究社檚 Katherine van der Veen gave birth to Ainsley, Olivia and Abigail last month
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Katherine van der Veen (top) and her husband Ain Baird are back in Nelson after she gave birth to identical triplets (from left) Ainsley, Olivia and Abigail. Photo: Tyler Harper

Nelson含羞草研究社檚 new identical triplets are healthy, happy and home at last.

Katherine van der Veen gave birth to Ainsley, Olivia and Abigail on May 8. The girls became mathematical marvels the moment they were born 含羞草研究社 a study by researchers at Cambridge University in England found the odds of having identical triplets are 10 in one million.

含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 just a random fluke of the universe or nature or god depending on how you look at it,含羞草研究社 said Van der Veen. 含羞草研究社淲e think it含羞草研究社檚 a miracle and just [the universe saying] 含羞草研究社榟ere you go, have fun!含羞草研究社櫤卟菅芯可鐫

The family is the first to have identical triplets in Canada since 2016 when a Kelowna mother gave birth to a trio of girls. Interior B.C. has a recent history of identical triplets: a family in Salmon Arm also had the unlikely birth in 2015.

Van der Veen and her husband Ain Baird previously endured both a miscarriage and a preterm birth, so she was relieved the triplets were healthy after being born via caesarean section.

The family spent two weeks at the in Vancouver after the babies were born over a month ahead of the original June 14 due date.

Their birth weights ranged from just 4.4 to 5.4 pounds. Of course, that was still nearly 15 pounds of babies Van der Veen was carrying around.

含羞草研究社淚 walk around [now and] I含羞草研究社檓 like, 含羞草研究社榟ow did I do that?含羞草研究社櫤卟菅芯可鐫

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Van der Veen praised the hospital含羞草研究社檚 medical staff 含羞草研究社 the family had two nurses assigned to them 含羞草研究社 but said the new parents are relieved to be back in their home.

Of course, now the real work begins. Breast feeding triplets, for example, is a process.

含羞草研究社淪ometimes you have to put down the first one, half feed the second one then put that one down and half feed the third one,含羞草研究社 she said. 含羞草研究社淪o it含羞草研究社檚 a juggle, but for the most part they含羞草研究社檙e awesome. They really zen right now, but that will change soon enough I含羞草研究社檓 sure.含羞草研究社

The new parents are also looking ahead to life with their unique brood. Baird, who owns a construction company, has already made business cards that include a picture of his new daughters.

Van der Veen said she hopes, in time, her daughters become known for more than just their unique birth.

含羞草研究社淸I want to] be present for them and encourage them to be individuals because they are identical so they are going to be lumped together, but also recognizing they含羞草研究社檙e each little people and will be grown up people.含羞草研究社

Donations can be made online at .

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story stated the last set of identical triplets were born in 2015. In fact it was to a Kelowna family in 2016.



tyler.harper@nelsonstar.com

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Tyler Harper

About the Author: Tyler Harper

I含羞草研究社檓 editor-reporter at the Nelson Star, where I含羞草研究社檝e worked since 2015.
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