Louisiana Couple Welcomes Rare ‘Spontaneous Triplets': 'So Fortunate and Blessed'

“We know we will have some challenges ahead but are ecstatic for our new life with the girls," the proud parents tell PEOPLE of daughters Claire, Ella and Lily

A Louisiana couple recently welcomed rare "spontaneous triplets" — and they couldn't be happier.

Matthew Cordaro and wife Haley welcomed triplets — daughters Claire Elizabeth, Ella Katherine and Lily Caroline — on Aug. 28 at Willis-Knighton South & the Center for Women’s Health, according to a press release by the hospital.

Their daughters were born prematurely after Haley went into labor at 31 weeks. At the time of their birth, the triplets all weighed 3 lbs. or less, their mom said in a Facebook post at the time.

“We were so fortunate and blessed to have made it 32 weeks and to have delivered three healthy babies considering all the potential risks when pregnant with multiples,” the couple tells PEOPLE. “We know we will have some challenges ahead but are ecstatic for our new life with the girls."

Related: Miss. Couple Celebrates as First Quintuplet Comes Home: 'Even Better Than We Could Have Imagined'

Matthew and Haley, who are also parents to a 3-year-old daughter, were “surprised" when they first learned they were expecting triplets during an ultrasound visit, hospital officials said, noting that there's no family history of multiples on either side.

The hospital shared that the odds of having "spontaneous triplets," which they described as "the term used for naturally conceived identical triplets" is “one in 1 million to 1 in 200 million."

Matthew tells PEOPLE that when they first learned the news, they "were in absolute disbelief."

"Our feelings then shifted towards worry due to the pregnancy being very high risk in nature," he says. "Once we got to the second trimester and on, our doctor visits continually brought great news.”

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Since their births, the girls have been in the NICU at Willis-Knighton South, where Dr. Gerald Brent Whitton and the entire NICU team have been caring for them, per the hospital.

The family hopes to go home next week, but first the triplets have to pass three tests: they need to resolve any breathing issues, keep their temperature stable in their crib, and eat consistently.

“They have done very well. It has been a straightforward and uncomplicated stay,” Dr. Whitton said, in a statement. “As we get closer to the babies’ release, we will get the parents up here and get them used to taking care of all three at the same time.”

Related: Couple Welcomes Quadruplets 4 Years After the Birth of Their Twins: ‘It’s Been a Joy’ (Exclusive)

While they've been in the hospital, the family has made sure to celebrate some happy milestones.

“Happy one month to these little angel babies!” Haley wrote on Facebook in September. “They have been working on bottle feeds & gaining weight and should be able to come home in a few short weeks!”

In a follow-up post, the proud mom wrote that their 3-year-old daughter “Kennedy is just smitten with her little baby sisters!"

Related: Twins Born at 22 Weeks — Who Both Weighed Less Than 1 Lb. — Don Cap and Gown at NICU 'Graduation'

As for having a house full of girls, the couple tells PEOPLE they can't wait to see what life has in store.

"We already have a 3-year-old girl so adding three more will make for a blast as they all grow up together as best friends," Matthew says.

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Read the original article on People.