Doctors at a northern California hospital say a couple have given birth to an extremely rare set of naturally conceived identical triplets.
Abby, Brin and Laurel Hepner were born on November 22 at Sutter Memorial Hospital to Hannah and Tom Hepner, who live in Quincy, California.
The triplets were produced when a single, fertilised egg split into three.
Dr William Gilbert, director of Sutter Women's Services, said the odds of producing identical triplets without fertility drugs range from one in one million to one in 100 million.
He said the rarity makes it difficult to more accurately calculate the frequency of such births.
Abby weighed 3lbs 2 ounces; Brin 3lbs, 11 ounces; and Laurel 4lbs.
The triplets are still in hospital until they can maintain body temperature and eat properly.
Dr Gilbert told the Sacramento Bee that the girls were doing well.
