An Indiana couple who shocked doctors by naturally conceiving identical triplets welcomed their three daughters into the world on Thursday night . The event was one-in-a-million , medical professionals said , and Ashley and Matt Alexander , of Greenfield , outside Indianapolis , said they knew how they lucky they are . Sophia Mae and Alexis Kae weighed in at more than 4 pounds , while Ella Shae weighs 5 pounds , according to 6 ABC , and were born at 36 weeks . 'It 's just an awesome blessing for God to entrust us with three more little blessings all at once , ' Ashley told the Indiana network . Scroll down for video . They 're here ! : Indiana nurse Ashley Alexander and her husband Matt welcomed their incredibly rare identical triplets on Thursday night , calling the girls Sophia Mae , Alexis Kae and Ella Shae . But now comes the part of being able to tell each of them apart . While it will be easier as the girls grow up and develop their own characteristics and personalities , as babies it will be difficult . But Mrs Alexander thinks she has the answer - nail polish . She intends to keep track of the girls by painting each of their nails a different color - purple , pink or light blue . The couple were looking at an ultrasound when the technician told them they were expecting triplets . Mr Alexander asked whether the hospital worker was joking when he asked the technician to check . 'Sir , we do not joke about this , ' the technician said before telling Mr and Mrs Alexander about the triplets , the Greenfield Reporter reported . Ashley Alexander ( left ) and hubsand Matt of Greenfield , Indiana , were surprised weeks ago when they learned they were expecting three new additions to their family during a routine sonogram . 'Is this a joke ? ' : Mr Alexander asked the technician to double check when she told the couple they were expecting triplets . While triplets have become more common with the rise of methods such as in vitro fertilization , having an identical trio naturally , where one egg is fertilized and splits into three separate embyros , is rare . One in a million is commonly reported as the odds of having natural identical triplets , though estimates range from one in 60,000 to one in 200million . There were in 4,600 triplets out of nearly 4 million US births in 2012 according to date from the Centers for Disease Control . However there is no record of how many were identical or how many births involved fertility treatments . The mother , who works as a part-time nurse , had hoped to wait until mid-February to give birth , with multiples often born early . Ashley 's rapidly growing belly lead her to believe that there would be more than one child , though she and husband Matt did not expect triplets . She is seen here at her baby shower . Friends and family held a baby shower in January for the happy parents , who said that the triplets are a blessing . The couple will get help raising the girls from nearby relatives , and are buying in bulk for their bulging brood . 'Thank goodness for Sam 's Club and Walmart , ' Mrs Alexander , who estimates that the babies will go through 7,000 diapers in their first year , told RTV6 . Mr Alexander works as a supervisor at a church-building company , and the couple hope to be able to continue working while splitting time caring for the Sophia , Alexis and Ella along with their two-year-old son , Stefan . Though friends have warned them about the difficulties ahead , the couple said they do n't view the children as an inconvenience , but as something that 'makes marriage a family ' . The Alexanders expect their new children in the coming weeks and may try to keep track of their girls by giving them different nail polish colors . After first finding out about the triplets in September , Mrs Alexander has been preparing to give birth for the past several months . She first started having contractions at work in December and still experiences them frequently . A rapidly growing belly first made her suspect that there was more than one child even before she knew . 'Just last night , I felt a kick on my left and a hit on my right ; then , I ’ ll have one push here , one push there , and I ’ ll have one pounce on my bladder , ' she said . The babies will be born through caesarean section , as the risks of naturally birthing the triplets are too high . The sisters will likely stay in the neonatal intensive care unit for several weeks . However doctors have said that Sophia , Alexis and Ella appear to be developing healthily .
Indiana couple Ashley and Matt Alexander welcome their identical triplets in Greenfield on Thursday night . Ashley was 36 weeks along . They named the girls Sophia Mae , Alexis Kae and Ella Shae . Odds of having identical triplets range up to one in 200 million . Ashley plans to keep track of triplets by giving them different nail polish .