Woman Gives Birth To Near Record Sized Triplets

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A set of Tennessee triplets delivered five months ago nearly broke the world record for being the largest ever born.

WBIR-TV reports (http://on.wbir.com/2b1n2jG ) Stella, Jack and Luke Tipton were just 2 pounds shy of breaking the world record, weighing almost 20 pounds together. Their mother, Kate Tipton, made it 34 weeks, giving UT Medical Center the largest triplets ever recorded at the hospital.

Triplets are typically around 3 pounds each at birth. Jack weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces, Stella was 6 pounds 3 ounces, and Luke weighed 5 pounds 9 ounces. Kate Tipton's doctor, Dr. Mark Hennessy, says they were surprised the babies were that large at that gestational age.

The largest triplets ever recorded were born in 2004 in California at a combined 22 pounds.