GRATEFUL parents who were stunned by the arrival of miracle triplets returned to the unit where they were born to thank staff and announce their fundraising drive.

Emma and Rob Blowers, 33, had struggled to conceive their first daughter Isla, so decided to quickly try for another baby.

To the couple’s surprise, doctors told the pair they should expect triple the fun.

Amelie, Martha and Rosie were born at Colchester General Hospital in December 2014, surrounded by 27 medical staff.

The chances of having separate natural triplets all of the same sex is around 1 in 10,000.

Emma, from Colchester, was worried, but left astounded by the support offered to her at Colchester Hospital Neonatal Unit.

“The delivery itself was very straightforward, they came out and were named in alphabetical order,” she said.

“Rosie was really quite poorly, her weight reduced and she was having trouble breathing.

“She was ventilated.

“The fact they actually kept the girls together was amazing.

“This really is not the biggest unit but they kept my three babies together.

“I could not fault them - at the time I felt there was a lot of criticism directed at the hospital and that was not my experience.”

More than two years on from the remarkable birth, Emma and Rob have learned to cope with the rigours of raising a large family.

The three babies had to be woken every night to be fed, and feeding all three took around two hours each time.

“At 17 months they were still not walking, we had two double buggies when we wanted to go out and that was very difficult when I was on my own,” said Emma.

“Rob was working long hours as a project manager for Sizewell Power Station and often had to work away from home.

“When they were 16 months old he had to be stationed away for three months.

“This was probably the hardest point for us as a family - to not have him around was difficult.

“Luckily we have such a good support network of friends and family - my mum has been an absolute saint.

“I have days where all I want to do is have an adult conversation, but then I realise how lucky I am to have four fit and healthy girls to look after.

“It feels like yesterday we were sitting in this very same room in the unit.

“This is such a small unit, there are only three family rooms here where parents can stay.

“I have decided to organise, with a committee, a charity ball in aid of the neonatal unit as a way to thank them for all the specialist care and support they offered to us.”

Everyone is welcome to a charity ball, held at Stoke-by-Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa in March, where live bands will perform and money will be raised for the unit.