WHILE the rest of the world was partying on New Year’s Eve, Nicola Stead and her partner Chris Miller had three extra reasons to celebrate.

As the clock struck midnight the couple were together with their triplets for the first time at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Joshua James, Oliver George and Mila Rose had been born by Caesarian section at the hospital on December 27 and were immediately whisked to intensive care.

While Joshua, born at 4lb 4oz and his sister Mila, who was 4lb 7oz, were soon moved to the special care baby unit, Oliver, who was 4lb 4oz, remained as he had more difficulty breathing.

However, Nicola and Chris were desperate to start 2018 together as a family of five so hospital staff brought the two stronger siblings to intensive care and Nicola, aged 30, and Chris, 29, were able to hold all their babies.

“We could cuddle all of them together for the first time,” said Nicola. “It was the best New Year ever.”

Nicola, who charted her pregnancy through her Instagram page Manchester.triplets, has nothing but praise for staff at the hospital and is hopeful they will be able to take the children back to their Swinton home later this week.

Nicola, who works as an assistant producer for the CBeebies website and Chris, who works in customer service, had not been planning to start a family and when they went for their first scan they, and the sonographer, were amazed at what appeared on screen.

“She was a bit shocked as well because it was a natural conception,” said Nicola.

It was a first pregnancy for Nicola, there is no history of multiple births on either side of the family and her mum, Jacqueline Stead, is celebrating becoming a grandmother for the first time.

“It is the first time I have been a grandmother and I get a job lot!” said Jacqueline.

Nicola managed to carry her babies, who were due to be born next month, to 33 weeks gestation before a team of 19 staff at Royal Bolton gathered to welcome them. I was really nervous but everyone was lovely,” said Nicola.

Nicola could not hold her children immediately after they were born but was taken to see them soon afterwards. “It was a mixture of emotions. I was excited because they were here but upset because I could not touch them,” she said.

Nicola says plenty of excited family members will be on hand to help her care for the unexpected tiny trio.

“It is crazy but wonderful. It is just a miracle.” she said.

Alison Dean, matron for the hospital’s central delivery suite, said: “It’s unusual for us to have triplets born here – especially if they are conceived naturally – usually no more than two or three sets a year.

"We understand Nicola’s babies are doing well and we’re delighted for her and send her and her family our congratulations.”