De Soto ? After suffering seven miscarriages, Chris and Kim Stephens beat the odds and got a 1-in-8,000 birth.

The De Soto couple’s triplets, Cora Sue, Cameron Ray and Carter Lee – two girls and a boy – were born Nov. 27 after the couple tried once again to have a child through in vitro fertilization. The process worked spectacularly when both of the implanted eggs fertilized and one divided.

This trio expands their family to six. They join big brother, Collin Garrett, 4.

The Stephens’ long journey started after Kim had a fallopian tube removed following her second ectopic pregnancy. Her physician told her the only plausible method of getting pregnant was by in vitro fertilization. Collin and the triplets were conceived through this method.

In vitro fertilization costs between $10,000 and $15,000 per cycle. The couple said they spent between $30,000 and $40,000 out of pocket.

The couple put a second mortgage on their first home but said it was worth the money in order to have a family.

“At the end of the day, we just wanted to expand our family,” Kim said.

It took the Stephens’ three months to find out Kim was pregnant with triplets. It was a surprise that two eggs produced triplets.

According to the online Encyclopedia Britannica, about 1 in 8,000 births result in triplets.

“What are the odds? They are very slim. When you put two eggs in, you hope to get one,” Kim said.

Everyone had different initial reactions, including Collin, who asked daily “when the babies would pop out.”

“I laughed. My husband said we needed a bigger boat,” Kim said.

Cora Sue, Cameron Ray and Carter Lee Stephens are triplets, the newest children of Kim and Chris Stephens, De Soto, to go along with Collin, the couple's first child. Kim and Chris have had all their children through in vitro fertilization.

Throughout the pregnancy, the family prepared by purchasing necessary essentials.

Chris Stephens said they visited an area wholesale store twice a week to buy diapers and baby wipes ahead of time, and they both became educated on raising triplets by reading books ranging from pregnancy to having triplet newborns.

They also hired Amy, an au pair from Thailand. Amy works 45 hours a week and lives with the Stephens.

Kim considers Amy a member of their family.

“It is amazing to have a second culture in the house,” Kim said.

The triplets arrived five and a half weeks early. Cora weighed 4 pounds 13 ounces; Cameron 4 pounds 10 ounces; and Carter 4 pounds 7 ounces. All three needed feeding tubes after birth.

Carter was the first to go home after staying at the hospital for five days.

Leaving the hospital without the girls was hard.

“It was devastating. I can’t describe how horrible. On the flip side, I knew that they were going to have a short stay,” Kim said.

Cora and Cameron arrived home Dec. 9, just in time for their first Christmas.

“Christmas was amazing. We had a lot of family in town. Most importantly, we were so blessed to have the babies home,” Kim said.

The triplets have been on a normal routine. On average, the babies go through 25 to 30 diapers a day. Formula costs $150 per week.

“We have already surpassed the 1,000 diaper mark,” Chris said.

To find out how Collin and the triplets are progressing, visit the family’s Web site at www.stephenstriplets.blogspot.com.