Emily, Lucy and Zoe Brown, triplet daughters of Paul and Jane, have already gathered a collection of doting fans among family and staff at the Special Care Baby Unit in Ninewells, where they were born two weeks ago.

Their Guardbridge parents have had an anxious time waiting for their arrival, as the babies, conceived without IVF, were obviously at a high risk.

However, thankfully they all arrived safe and sound and are doing well. Lucy has already been allowed home, while her sisters should be out of hospital this weekend.

Since their marriage last year, Jane and Paul have been no strangers to drama. As reported in the Citizen at the time, their honeymoon hotel in Mexico last August was hit by a category five hurricane.

Paul, who works for The R&A in St Andrews, said: "We've been saying if we could survive that, we can certainly survive triplets!"

"Everyone's been brilliant, from the consultant, Dr Nicoll, and all the staff in the special care baby unit, to my employers, who have given me time off until the new year, and Jane's employers, St Andrews University.

"Jane won't be going back, but she worked there for 20 years and they've been really supportive."

It's been a traumatic time for the couple, who admitted they worried the triplets wouldn't be as healthy as they are.

Unfortunately, once it was confirmed they were expecting a multiple arrival, the couple were immediately warned of what could go wrong and offered "selective reductions," to give the remaining babies the best chance of survival.

They refused that but still faced months of worry.

However, the tots are thriving and feeding well, and Monday night was Lucy's first night at home with her mum and dad. Paul admitted they didn't sleep much – but she did!

Luckily for their parents, all the girls are contented babies and are already into a routine.

"All in all, they are doing well and are above their birth weights," said Paul.

"We have three healthy, beautiful children.

"When they were born, Emily weighed 3lbs 15 oz, Zoe 4lbs 1 oz and Lucy 4lbs 6 oz.

"Jane carried them for 34 weeks which was what the consultant hoped for."

The enormity of what has happened hasn't sunk in yet, but already the couple, who live in a first-floor, two-bedroom flat and until recently drove a Fiesta, have been amazed at the good wishes they have received.

A surprise bonus was the help in finding a bigger car that came from Arnold Clark in Dundee, where they were able to trade up to a much more useful seven-seater.

"It will be great to get them all home at last," said Paul.
An average of 10 sets of triplets are born every year in Scotland.