FAMILY and friends held a surprise baby shower for an Cwmbran couple this weekend ahead of the arrival of identical triplets.

Sian Williams and partner Aaron Palfrey, of Henllys, were treated to applause at the Croesyceiliog Cricket and Rugby Club to mark the rare pregnancy.

While odds of conceiving identical triplets are up to 200 million to one, the chances of the trio being conceived naturally, being of the same gender and feeding from the same placenta is even rarer.

The 31-year-old expectant mum, who is 26-weeks pregnant, works at Torfaen County Borough Council and was “overwhelmed” with the family response.

During the early stages of the pregnancy, Miss Williams found she was carrying triplets when health professionals “heard two heart beats” and “then a third one”.

“As soon as it got confirmed I have had scans every week and it’s become more real. I’m in complete and utter shock,” she said.

“We just bought our first house at Christmas and stereotypically thought let’s have a house and a baby. You just plan for one (baby) and don’t plan for any more.”

Electrician Mr Palfrey, 26, added that he has had difficulty in buying equipment for the new arrivals, referencing the “pram situation”.

Aaron’s mum, Temar Cawley, who also gave birth to twins, said “It’s so overwhelming and a massive thing. I just can’t wait for them to arrive safe and well”.

The expectant parents have also recently moved next door to Miss Williams’ mum in the Cwmbran area.

Mum Julie, 56, said: “I could be in town and can hear people talking about these triplets and it’s surprising that people have heard about them.

“I can’t thank everybody enough, not only for today but for being marvellous to us (because) we have been through a lot.”

Mum Julie added that the triplets were a “blessing” and some “good news” to the family after recent bereavements.

This included Sian’s grandparents John and Rosemary Watkins and her father (and Julie’s husband) Kevin Williams, who died after complications from a heart transplant.

Looking forward, the family are all eagerly awaiting names for the female triplets although Sian and Aaron are currently undecided.

Miss Williams is also having regular check ups ahead of a due date in early May.

She added: “I can’t really imagine how we would have coped if this didn’t happen when it did. It’s just kept everyone looking forward to something and its brought all our family closer together”.