A mum on the contraceptive coil was stunned during lockdown when she was told she was expecting triplets.
Bethany Smith, from Burton, Staffs, gave birth prematurely to two girls and a boy after having an emergency Caesarean-section in April.
The 26-year-old - already mum to three older children aged seven, six, and four - said she was stunned when she found out she was pregnant again, despite using the coil as contraception, reports Derbyshire Live.
On April 4, Bethany and her partner welcomed two daughters, Kiren and Kirit, and a son, Arjan, who were born at 31 weeks.
And when doctors told her it was not one but three babies she was having, she and her partner were flabbergasted.
The contraceptive coil is a small T-shaped device which is inserted into the womb and is supposed to protect against pregnancy for between five and 10 years.
Bethany and her partner said that multiple births do not run in either of their families and it was even more of a shock as she was on contraception at the time.
She said giving birth during lockdown was surreal and took some the excitement out of bringing new life in the world as she could not see the baby girls for two days because they needed helped with their breathing
And there was a scare for the couple at 26 weeks when Bethany went into labour early.
She was rushed into hospital, where doctors managed to halt her labour, preventing the triplets being born too early.
Mum-of-six Bethany said: "It was really horrendous.
"I couldn't see the girls for two days as they were on breathing equipment.
"Only one parent could visit once a day and we had to wear masks, gowns and gloves.
"It was very surreal and not how you'd imagine.
"All the excitement of having a baby was taken away because of Covid-19. We couldn't do what normal parents would.
"The labour was ok. They rushed me in and I had surgery quickly as it's too dangerous to deliver naturally.
"I previously went into labour at 26 weeks and was rushed to a London hospital but luckily they stopped it."
The three tots had to stay in Royal Derby Hospital when they were born for three weeks as they were all just over 3lbs.
Arjan weighed 3lb 5oz, Kiren was 3lb 4oz and Kirit was 3lb 9oz, but are now said to be doing well.
Bethany said: "They were in hospital for three weeks then came home and all are doing great.
"Neither of us have any multiples in the family; it was a complete shock as we were on contraception at the time."
The triplets are now all doing well.
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