Identical triplets Abby, Brin and Laurel Hepner born in California are one in a million born to Hannah and Tom Hepner

DOCTORS at a Northern California hospital say a couple has given birth to a rare set of naturally conceived identical triplets.

Rare Identical Triplets

DOCTORS at a Northern California hospital say a couple has given birth to a rare set of naturally conceived identical triplets.

The Sacramento Bee reports Abby, Brin and Laurel Hepner were born November 22 at Sutter Memorial Hospital to Hannah and Tom Hepner, of Quincy.

The triplets were produced when a single, fertilised egg split into three.

Dr. William Gilbert, director of Sutter Women's Services, says the odds of producing identical triplets without fertility drugs range from 1-in-1-million to 1-in-100-million.

Abby weighed 3 pounds, 2 ounces; Brin 3 pounds, 11 ounces; and Laurel 4 pounds.

"It is not unusual with identical triplets to have a difference in weight," said Dr Gilbert. "They usually don’t share equal amounts of the placenta, so therefore one gets a little less nutrition than the other. When you have a difference in weight, the little one does better after they are born because the stress of being little matures your lungs faster."

The triplets are still in the hospital until they can maintain body temperature and eat properly.

Hannah Hepner said the “one-in-a-million” description of the babies “loses its relevance when you are holding them.

“We understand that they are going to be individuals,” she said. “We look forward to finding out who those individuals are and helping them along the way.”