An oxfordshire woman has defied odds of 200 million to one to give birth to identical triplets.

Mae Christina Astley, from Banbury, has amazed the medical world with the miraculous delivery of her three daughters.

Amy, Kim and Zoe were all born healthy, weighing 3lb 3oz each. They are currently being monitored in intensive care as a precaution.

They were just 16in long when they were born.

Doctors believe the rare birth was probably the result of a blow Mrs Astley received in the first few days of her pregnancy, dividing the fertilised egg.

They were delivered in a 35-minute caesarian section at the Feldkirch State Hospital, in Austria, on Monday.

Ms Astley, 25, had not used fertility drugs, and had been under intense medical care for months because her condtion was so rare.

She was admitted to hospital three weeks before the birth and was conscious during the delivery, which was four weeks before the due date.

She said: "It was a wonderful moment as I cradled each of my beautiful daughters in my arms.

"I cannot thank the doctors enough. My babies are a dream come true."

She added: "I am a bit tired but I am doing fine and I am delighted.

"I had an epidural but was conscious so I was able to witness it all."

Husband Thomas Graziadei, 27, who met Ms Astley on a student exchange programme, said: "We thank God that everything went well. But they all look the same. I don't know how we are going to tell them apart when they haven't got their hospital wrist bands on."

Sheila Kitzinger, a childbirth expert and author based in Standlake, said: "It's almost miraculous - but miracles happen. I have never come across it before.

"The babies will get a lot of attention and it's good for her because she will feel pretty wonderful.

"It is astonishing and it is going to be very hard work but she will get a lot of support. She is very, very special."

Identical triplets are extremely rare because it means the original fertilised egg has to split into three.

It is far more common for triplets to be made up of identical twins and another sibling.

Dr Peter Schwarzler, who delivered the girls, said: "It is a huge success for us and a medical miracle.

"She must have received a strong shock in what we believe was the sixth day of pregnancy. We are amazed she kept the pregnancy as the blow was so strong that the egg split in three.

"The triplets were born in the 32nd week, and as is normal with such premature births, the lungs are not so resilient and fatigue sets in early. They are currently on breathing support, as is usual.

"We need to be careful over the next few days but we are confident that all will go well."