Big baby surprise for Austin couple

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Typically a woman having triplets doesn't make headlines due to more and more people taking fertility drugs.

But the odds of having triplets naturally is extremely rare.  So imagine the shock when an Austin woman found out she was going to deliver three babies.

"We wanted one more kid before we turned 40," said Pamela Gooding.

That was the plan Pamela and Kristopher Gooding decided on since they already have a 6 year old daughter and 12 year old son. Instead they wound up with 3 babies.

"Until we said how did this happen my mother in-law was like 'oh by the way we have a lot of twins in the family'," said Pamela Gooding.

Six on Kristopher's side and one on Pamela's. While the odds were in their favor of having multiples - conceiving triplets without fertility drugs is rare.

"The incidents of having spontaneous triplets is 1 in 6,000 to 8,000, extremely rare," said Dr. Kimberly DeStefano, Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine, St. David's Women's Center.

What's even more rare is the fact that two of the babies are identical twins - so far no one can figure out which ones are identical. But for the first half of the pregnancy the couple thought they were just having two.

"My wife just joking around said look around and make sure there is nothing else and she did and there was another baby," said Kristopher Gooding.

Carrying around three babies led to complete bed rest at the hospital for seven weeks as well as gaining 60 pounds.

"She's lost about 40 of it already, 45 of it," said Kristopher Gooding.

And ladies don't hate her - but she doesn't have a single stretch mark.

"No, nothing," said Pamela Gooding.

And needless to say Victoria, Kammie, and Maisie will be their last.

"Kris will be having surgery soon, it's his turn," said Pamela Gooding.

For now the babies will be in the NICU a few more weeks and then the fun begins at home.

The babies were delivered three weeks ago at 32 weeks gestation.

They each were just over three pounds at birth - and doctors say they are doing great.