Early in Kelsey Taylor’s pregnancy she got some news she and her husband Aaron never could have predicted.
“We found out we were having triplets when I was 6 weeks pregnant,” said Kelsey. “I was overwhelmed at first, but Aaron was all smiles.”
Kelsey and Aaron both have twins in their families but it had skipped two generations. They weren’t using fertility drugs and the triplets occurred naturally.
Not only did they get triplets, they got identical triplets which is a very rare occurrence. Only 20 to 30 births in every 1 million result in identical triplets, or less than .003% of the time.
“We found out they were identical about four months into our pregnancy. The doctor found out that they all had their own sacs but were in the same placenta,” said Kelsey.
The due date was July 26, but Kelsey and Aaron knew early on the pregnancy wouldn’t last 40 weeks. It was during a May 12 doctor’s appointment that some early signs of preeclampsia were detected. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and often signs of damage to the liver and kidneys.
“The doctor wanted to go ahead and admit us into the hospital just to monitor me,” Kelsey said. “We stayed in the hospital for a week and the girls decided to make an appearance at the 30-week mark on May 18.”
Aaron and Kelsey are the proud parents of first-born Aubrey, middle child Avery, and youngest Ayla. Aubrey arrived at 12:46 p.m. weighing 2 pounds, 10 ounces and 15 inches long.
Avery showed up two minutes later and weighed 2 pounds, 8 ounces and 14.5 inches long.
Ayla made her debut a minute after Avery, the same length but two ounces less than Ayla.
The triplets were born at Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown in Nashville and they stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit until Aubrey and Avery were able to go home June 22. Ayla was discharged June 25.
“We were proud they didn’t need oxygen. They were little fighters and were able to go home earlier than anticipated,” Kelsey said. “The nurses would always say they were super feisty.”
“We did not have a normal pregnancy due to COVID-19 restrictions,” said Kelsey. “We had to drive to Nashville to see the babies and Aaron wasn’t allowed in the NICU. He would have to sit out in the car while I visited the girls for hours. I was the only one allowed. Aaron is the best husband I could’ve ever asked for.”
All three girls have blue eyes and brown hair.
“At the beginning, there was absolutely no way to tell them apart so we had to paint their toenails to make sure we didn’t mix them up,” Kelsey said. “However, Aaron and I are able to tell them apart due to a little weight difference.”
Despite being physically identical, the triplets are developing different personalities.
“Aubrey talks all the time, Avery is always happy and smiling but is more sensitive than the other two, and Ayla is more curious,” Kelsey said. “For the most part they’re all happy babies and don’t get fussy often, but when one is fussy they all get fussy.”
“All the girls are doing amazing and growing as they should. Aaron and I would like to thank everyone who prayed, sent gifts, and/or said kind words and encouragement to us and the girls. We are truly blessed. We have an Instagram page for everyone to keep up with the girls @taylortripletgirls. It has been one crazy ride having triplets in the midst of a pandemic but three of the best blessings has come out of it!”
