When a couple from Southern California wished upon a star for a baby girl, they had no idea just how generously the universe would respond. Angie and Gino already had a great life with their two sons, but the couple felt like their lives wouldn’t be complete without also raising a girl. Let’s just say that their wish not only came true but ended up turning their entire lives upside-down. We’ve documented the miraculous story of Angie and Gino and their surprising turn of events to give you an inspiring sense of how funny life works out sometimes.
Wishing For Children
When Angie and Gino first got married, they both knew that having kids was just around the corner. They were thrilled and had almost everything they could want, except their own children. The couple was prepared for the challenges of raising them, and couldn’t wait to grow their family tree.
Angie soon got pregnant, and nine months later, a healthy baby boy joined the family. From there, the two set out to have more children and found themselves welcoming yet another baby son into the world. Things couldn’t have been better for the happy parents.
Healthy, Happy and Loving
It was clear to everyone that Angie and Gino were born to be parents. The happy couple enjoyed their two beautiful boys and were even happier now that their family was bigger. They played with them, educated them, and gave them all the love in the world.
Angie and Gino would often go out hiking with their children, as the family was very physically active. Looking from the outside, it seemed as if everything was perfect and that the two could not have a care in the world. This was almost true, but there was one thing missing…
They Wished For a Baby Girl
Angie and Gino were beyond grateful for the life they had built, and the two incredible children they could share their happiness with. They were blessed, and all they wanted was to share their abundance with more children. Specifically, Angie and Gino wished for a baby girl.
As religious people, Angie and Gino decided to pray for a baby girl and hoped that the universe would take kindly to their wish. It didn't take long for Angie to get pregnant, but the couple was still due to receive the best of news yet!
It's a Girl!
Angie and Gino decided that they would be grateful regardless of their coming baby's gender. It would take a few months before they could find out if their baby is a boy or a girl anyway. It was a tense ride to the doctor's office, as the two crossed their fingers that their wish would come true.
Once at the doctor's office, the two were excited to hear those three perfect words — "It's a girl!". Unfortunately, there seemed to be something odd about the ultrasound results. This anomaly would soon turn the couples' lives upside-down.
It's Three Girls!
Angie and Gino's moment of celebration was cut short when the doctor performing the ultrasound suddenly had a look of concern on his face. A few seconds later, he smiled, looked at them, and promptly informed them that they were having triplets! Three girls!
The couple had prayed for a baby girl. But alas, life sometimes gives you more than you asked for. They stared puzzled at the ultrasound screen and saw three different embryos inside Angie's womb. The couple got their wish all right…three times! This wasn't even the most surprising news...
One Placenta Was Missing
The parents were still taking in the news of their three unborn children when their doctor discovered something very unusual. Angie and Gino were way above their heads in surprises and didn't think they could take in any further news. They only hoped that it wouldn't be a risky pregnancy.
During her ultrasound, the doctor found that the three babies in Angie's womb were all healthy, but one of them was missing a placenta. Two of the embryos were sharing one placenta, which made them identical twins. The doctor was very perplexed, as this was an extremely rare occurrence.
Unbelievable Odds
Angie and Gino never believed that their prayers would be answered three times over. When they realized that two of the three embryos were identical twins, the couple almost fell to the floor! Their doctor was also surprised — this was one of the rarest pregnancy cases he'd ever seen.
The odds of having three babies are already less than one in four thousand. When you also take into account having identical twins among these three embryos, this becomes an extremely unlikely event. The expecting parents took this as a sign that someone was watching and looking over them.
Making the Necessary Preparations
Angie and Gino knew that they were facing a huge challenge. Women struggle giving birth to just one baby at a time, let alone three. They knew things were going to get a lot more challenging once the pregnancy reached the second trimester, and began educating themselves on the topic.
The two began making substantial changes in their lives. They hired a nanny, purchased a minivan, and also notified friends and family about their circumstances. The two also talked to their employers and made arrangements to make sure they'll be able to take time off work once the babies arrived.
Potential Complications
Despite their optimism and faith, the two were quite aware of the dangers involved. Triplets are considered a high-risk pregnancy, and that many complications could occur during birth. The doctor explained to the concerned parents exactly how things would be different this time around compared to her previous pregnancies.
Angie and Gino also learned as much as they could about possible complications. Having twins can lead to a multitude of health risks, which means that having triplets was even more dangerous. As Angie's pregnancy continued into its second and third trimester, various medical issues indeed began to arise.
Actual Complications
When Angie started her third trimester, she experienced several medical problems, and doctors identified issues with her pregnancy. First, a dangerous imbalance in the liquids shared by the triplets. Angie and Gino sat down anxiously with their doctor, who attempted to explain the situation as best as he could.
Later in an interview, Angie explained that liquids for 'Baby B' were too low, and baby C's were too high, putting both babies at risk. The concerned parents had to take instant measures to improve the odds that their babies would survive birth.
Moving Into the Hospital
The couple decided to make a bold change in their lifestyle. They called their bosses, explained the situation, and moved Angie to the hospital. It wasn't the most relaxing place to be in, but they knew that there was nowhere safer to be during her challenging pregnancy.
This was quite a hard transformation, as the couple had an active life and two boys. Still, certain sacrifices had to be made to ensure that their three new family members stayed safe. The doctor recommended that Angie and Gino stay there until after the birth, and they agreed.
Putting Everything On Hold
Angie was a very active person, so nobody could imagine her staying sane while in bed for a few months, especially not in someplace like a hospital. When interviewed about her reaction to the initial news of having to stay, Angie claimed she was completely perplexed.
She was upset about her situation, but Gino did everything he could to support her. Luckily for them, their two young boys completely understood the situation and supported them. It's rare to see kids act as maturely as they did, and their actions led to some amazing lessons and results.
Making It Work
The young mother was bedridden most of the day, and tried to make herself as comfortable as possible. The worst part of the ordeal was having to spend so much time away from her husband and two sons, as they were at work and at school most of the time.
They would visit Angie every day at the hospital, sometimes coming over during lunch break or after work hours. Gino and the boys were always excited to see Angie, who was getting bigger and bigger by the day. Luckily, the staff of the hospital also helped a great deal.
Learning What Home Means
Thanks to this experience, Angie began redefining what the word "home" meant for her. Although she was far from her house, the mother never felt more at home than this. Her family reminded her that home isn't where the house is, it's wherever you spend quality time together with family.
The nurses were also very kind and helpful and empathized with Angie's situation. Each nurse made sure to tell Angie just how brave she was, and they would often spend extra time checking up on her and seeing how she was doing. In short, Angie was well supported.
Hospital Romance
The loving parents both had full-time jobs, were active, and raised two boys all at the same time. This meant that Angie and Gino didn't have the time for that many intimate and romantic experiences, as they were mostly busy just managing their hectic lives. Finally, they saw an opportunity.
They decided to get creative in order to keep the romance alive despite the circumstances. One of their favorite experiences were the romantic hospital date nights they had every week. The couple shared dinners, told stories, listened to music, and lit candles to create themselves a more peaceful atmosphere.
Getting Acquainted with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
When babies are born with a high risk of medical challenges, they are brought over to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This unit specializes in newborns and helps prevent many medical complications. Because of Angie's upcoming triplet birth, her babies could very well end up there.
The couple got a first-hand tour of the NICU. Their supportive nurse helped guide them through the halls, and answered all of their questions. While they may have been worried about possible complications during the birth, at-least they felt prepared to face whatever complications may come up right after.
Learning and Preparing
No expecting mother wants to hear about the many ways her baby could be in trouble after they're born. Fortunately, Angie was a very determined and grateful mother, and took everything in good faith. The nurse detailed the birth plan for her triplets, which made Angie feel more confident.
Despite the many risks she was facing, Angie managed to keep her spirits high. In a recent interview, she described her mentality as that of empowerment and positivity. While she had heard many horror stories relating to birthing triplets, Angie chose to focus on the good and positive things.
Baby' B' Grew at a Different Rate
The staff checked on Angie and the babies daily. It was concerning for Angie to discover that baby 'B' was growing more slowly than her two sisters. Doctors explained this probably had a lot to do with the fact that baby 'B' and baby 'C' were sharing a placenta.
While most healthy pregnancies last at least 38 weeks, triplets are usually born earlier since they take up more space and make the pregnancy incredibly difficult. Angie's prior concern was on keeping the three little babies in her womb at-least until the 34th week. This would dramatically increase their chances of surviving birth.
Aiming For 34 Weeks
If the pregnancy were to reach at least 34 weeks, Angie's triplets would most likely come out healthy. By giving them enough time to develop in the womb, risks of complications would decrease substantially. This was no easy task, however, as Angie would soon find out.
Her belly was getting so big, but she knew just how important it was for her to stay calm and relaxed until her due date. The medical staff and her family were all so supportive. This also helped Angie carry out her pregnancy to the finish line.
One Day at a Time
By now, Angie was already thirty weeks into her pregnancy and was less than a month away from safely giving birth. Her time in the hospital helped her grow more appreciative of both her family and her fortunate circumstances. Everyone was growing excited to meet the impending new family members.
Despite their optimism, Angie knew that things could turn bad at any moment, as this was an at-risk pregnancy. The staff was more than prepared for an emergency C-section, should the situation call for it. Angie was ready as well, and was taking things one day at a time. Unfortunately, just a short week later, the girls were already ready to make their debut!
Going into Labour
Unfortunately, the triplets chose to arrive two weeks earlier than planned. But Angie was happy to go into labor and knew that everything would be ok. After all, their prayers had already been answered once, why not again? And Gino was with her every step of the way.
Everyone was excited and ready for action, even the medical staff. Confidence was high that by the end of the day, all three girls would be lying on their hospital beds. Gino and Angie knew there was a lot of work ahead of them, but were mentally prepared for it.
Three Babies Born
It didn't take long for Angie to reach full dilation. However, due to the various risks, the medical staff chose to perform a C-section instead. Gino was holding Angie's hand the entire time and reassured her that everything was going to be just fine.
The two parents and the medical staff were getting ready to meet the three little angels that grew inside Angie's womb. One by one, all three babies were delivered successfully, and the three newborn sisters shared similar names. The names they received were Daniella, Anabella, and Camilla.
Three Advanced Life Support Teams
To guarantee the triplet's safety, three different life support systems were prepared ahead of time, each headed by a different team. Each newborn girl was monitored and measured throughout the entire delivery, and no effort was spared to make sure that the mother would only receive good news that day.
During the birth, each girl was passed into an adjacent emergency care room through a connecting window. While the triplets fought for their first breaths, Angie and Geno were going through their own set of challenges. These were a very tense few hours, to say the least.
Waiting To See The Newborn Girls
After months of waiting, the babies were finally born. All Angie wanted to do now was to hold them, but she was still under heavy anesthetics and couldn't move. As the doctor began patching her up, all she could think of was seeing her three tiny little babies.
Angie wanted only to hold her babies, but the newborns had to be taken care of first. It devastated her to not be able to see her children, but she knew that this was a sacrifice for the sake of their health, and she could live with that.
Breathing Challenges
Newborn babies typically draw their first breaths just moments after being delivered, but since Daniella, Anabella, and Camilla were just under four pounds each, they still couldn't breathe properly on their own. The three tiny newborns needed all the help they could get from the staff just to stay alive.
Luckily, Angie's medical team was prepared for this both mentally and in terms of medical equipment. They worked swiftly and skillfully to open the triplet's lungs, and help them breathe. It was difficult for Angie to watch helplessly from her bed, but at least she knew the girls were in good hands.
Stabilizing The Girls
The medical staff fitted Angie's newborn babies with C-paps, which helped apply pressure to their lungs in order to open their airways. It took a long time, but the girls finally began breathing on their own, and their oxygen levels gradually stabilized.
In the meantime, Angie had to watch her newborn babies through digital cameras. She couldn't get up because of the anesthesia, and the babies obviously couldn't have been moved away from their life support systems. Angie waited patiently as the hours went by, and the minutes felt like days.
Under Constant Attention
Now that the three girls were in the NICU, the nurses were observing them around the clock. It was important for everyone to remember that the girls were still very small and still predisposed to other complications.
Alina Harper, one of the RNs working with the girls, said, "You know, I really empathize with the parents that have to have their babies and be separated from them." Angie was certainly having a hard time being parted from her newborn daughters, but that was about to change!
The Triplets Were In Stable Condition
The triplets were under constant care in the NICU. The staff worked hard around the clock to make sure that nothing bad happened to them. Babies this small are susceptible to all sorts of complications, and the medical team was extremely vigilant to make sure none occurred throughout their stay.
Besides medical attention, Angie knew that her daughters also needed to be reunited with her. Alina Harper, one of the medical nurses, recalls how she really emphasized with Angie and how difficult it must have been for her to be separated from her newborn babies for so long.
Reaching a Stable Condition
Many hours later, Daniella, Anabella, and Camilla were finally in stable condition, but had to remain under strict care in order to avoid any further complications. They were finally breathing on their own, and concerns about their health were gradually beginning to calm down.
Although they were still in the NICU, it was finally time for the triplets to meet their parents. The staff was extremely excited to inform Angie and Gino of the good news. This would be one of the most emotional moments the staff had ever witnessed!
Coming to Terms with Reality
Finally, Angie and Gino could relax and take in what had just happened. Like many new mothers and fathers, the two still felt like they were in a dream, and the reality was just beginning to set in - did they just give birth to three new baby girls?
It was such a confusing situation for Angie. Which baby should she hold first? How could she nurse three babies simultaneously? When the staff notified the parents that Daniella, Anabella, and Camilla were finally stable, Angie and Gino prepared themselves to meet the three new tiny additions to their family.
The Nurses Were Also Excited
There's nothing quite as exciting or sentimental as the moment a mother first gets to hold her newborn baby. In the case of Angie and Gino, the staff was also excited, as she had given birth to triplets! Their reunion would no doubt be a magical event.
The triplets were finally going to meet their parents, and emotions ran high for everyone. Harper, a nurse at the hospital, explained how amazing seeing the initial contact between a newborn and its mother can be. She was so excited to finally see the family together.
Cleared to See the Girls
Angie was still dizzy and barely conscious, but nothing could stop her from meeting her newborn babies. At last, Gino wheeled her towards their room. It's so crazy to think that Daniella, Anabella, and Camilla still hadn't even met their parents yet, but health precautions had to be taken.
The couple couldn't contain themselves any longer! They had waited almost a year for this and had gone through so many challenges just to reach this moment. After months of anticipation, Angie was about to meet the three girls that would now be a part of her family forever.
Meeting the Girls
As Angie and Gino entered the NICU, they could see their three tiny babies, now able to breathe on their own. Gino stepped aside and let Angie take the first step, watching his wife hold their new baby girls for the first time was the best thing he'd ever seen.
The nurse handed one of the girls to Angie, who gasped in disbelief and began crying. Despite her weakened emotional state, these were not tears of sadness, but of deep joy. She looked at Gino and said, "this just feels so right". Gino just nodded and smiled at her.
Reuniting With Their Babies
Despite being away from the triplets for just a few hours, it felt like a lifetime for Angie. After carrying them in her womb for almost a year, being away from them for even a moment was practically unbearable. It felt amazing to finally be reunited with her babies!
Angie held each baby, one at a time, while the passionate father supported his wife, who was breaking down in tears with each child. It was a very exciting moment for the entire staff as well, and many of the nurses cried along with the two loving parents.
Getting Acquainted With Dad
It was now Gino's turn. The excited father sat on the couch as he was delivered baby after baby to hold. He tucked each one inside his shirt, sharing warmth and love through skin-to-skin contact with his newborn girls. The loving mother watched happily and proudly.
By giving his babies some skin-to-skin time, Gino was helping ensure the health and safety of Daniella, Anabella, and Camilla. It's especially important at this stage to regulate the newborn's temperature by sharing warmth, as they are unable to heat their own tiny and extremely delicate bodies at this point.
Growing Up
After a long and patient wait that lasted a few weeks, the triplets were finally cleared to leave the hospital, but not before the medical staff felt confident enough about their stability and health. When the tiny baby triplets finally arrived home, they received an incredibly warm welcome!
As the years went by Daniella, Anabella, and Camilla showed an amazing bond and chemistry with each other. The two boys also took an immediate liking to their new baby sisters. Overnight, the family had expanded from a four to a seven-person family. Imagine that!
Turning Six
As the triplet matured and reached six years of age, each child developed a unique personality. Angie and Gino also matured as parents since their birth and were proud of their accomplishments. The two are still grateful to this day for the amazing gift they received of three beautiful daughters.
A lot has changed since the triplets arrived in 2010, but the family is just as positive and grateful, perhaps even more so today. Gino and Angie chose to use their large family as an excuse to live a more active lifestyle and enjoy each moment with their five children.
Keeping Busy
Being a parent of one kid is certainly not easy, but being a parent to five children is even harder. When you take into account that three of them were born the same day, it becomes clear just how much effort and attention is required to raise five unique children.
Luckily for them, the two parents have all their needs covered, and love going out and having a good time outdoors. They often go on exciting trips that involve a lot of time together. Angie and Gino are such an inspiration to the rest of us parents!
A Loving Family of Seven
Angie and Gino are the proud parents of five amazing children. Their wish to have a daughter not only came true but was fulfilled three times over. The family is healthy, happy, and full of love and positivity, which is clear from their smiles and loving eyes.
The children are a tightly connected group, which often helps in big families since the children always have someone to play with. Their parents also benefit from the situations, and jokingly refer to their life as "fun chaos." We can only imagine what an abundance they must have of both.
Making a Wish
Sometimes wishing upon a star and hoping for a better future is all it takes to turn everything around. The loving couple knew exactly what they wanted, and prayed for it until it happened. It sure wasn't easy, but there's no doubt that all their troubles were well worth the effort.
Today all their children are old enough and independent enough to do most things on their own, and worries are a thing of the past. Being a parent is always a deeply meaningful thing, but it only gets better as the kids grow up. Were happy to say that both Angie and Gino claim that this was truly a dream come true for them.