Three children born 7 years apart but identical
Standing among his siblings, 10-year-old Hugo is clearly the eldest of the bunch. But what might surprise you to learn is that the three youngsters are triplets.Mom Helen Baker gave birth to twins Coco and Monty in August 2018 using the same fertilized eggs that brought Hugo into the world in 2011.
Dad Oliver, 41, and Helen went through ten grueling rounds of IVF at a cost of £17,500, forcing them to sell their house in order to foot the bill.But now the trio is so inseparable that they finish each other’s sentences, with former model Helen, 42, dubbing it an “unbreakable bond.”
Helen, from Southampton, Hampshire, says there are striking similarities between Monty and Hugo, 10, with both having identical dark eyes and hair.She said they have identical dark eyes and hair and says the younger two growing up is like “going through a time machine”.The three siblings are as thick as thieves and all unusually hate butter on their bread.
Helen said: “People say there’s an unbreakable bond between twins and triplets.”I would say other kids Hugo’s age would find their brothers and sisters annoying.”But the three of them are really close. Hugo will go over to the cupboard to get an apple and will always get three out.”It’s never a question – he always wants to help out. Monty fell over the other day and was calling out for Hugo rather than Mommy.
“Hugo really is a big help. He’ll help walk them across the street, and when he comes in from school, they run up and each take a hand.
“Hugo and Monty really look alike. Of course, there are always similarities between brothers and sisters, but it’s freaky.
“People tell me it’s like looking back in time when they see Monty. It’s like having my first baby back!
“He’s going through the same obsession with the Hulk as Hugo did. It is a bit like going through a time machine.
“They didn’t share the same first word, but they make up for it now with finishing each other’s sentences a lot of the time.
“They all had tongue correction surgery, which is another thing in common. They all hate butter. Coco and Monty don’t realize Hugo doesn’t like it, so it’s not as if they are just copying him.
“Hugo has asked whether he is a triplet, and he knows you have to have an egg to create a baby. He gets the gist of it.
“The past few years have been hectic and a bit of a madhouse. We have three kids and three dogs now, so there’s never a dull moment.
“We’re just so happy that against all the chances we now have our family.”
Hugo was conceived on the couple’s ninth cycle and joined the world in February 2011, weighing 7lb 1.5oz.Helen and electrician Oliver decided to freeze the unused embryos so they could add to their family later.And they welcomed Monty and Coco, three, into the family in August 2018.Despite the age gap, the siblings are considered triplets as they were conceived at the same time, using the same batch of eggs and sperm.
The couple met in 2003 and started trying for a baby in 2006, but struggled to conceive.Following inconclusive tests, Helen began IVF in 2008 but repeatedly found herself in the hospital and suffered a miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy before Hugo was born.In December 2017, Helen and Oliver decided to try again and began their final cycle of IVF, from which Helen fell pregnant.Helen said: “I couldn’t believe it; it was like my life was on the up again, as many couples aren’t even successful having one baby.
“Initially, it seemed like I was only having one baby as the doctor only recognized one heartbeat when it came to the six-week scan.”
But at the eight-week check-up, doctors noticed a second smaller heartbeat in Helen’s womb – too small to say conclusively whether it was a second baby.
She added: “I wasn’t sure what was going on, and if something strange was happening to my baby.
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