A MUM-TO-BE who was expecting twins had the surprise of her life when a routine scan revealed she was actually carrying quads.

Tracey Fry was overjoyed when she discovered she was pregnant, and she and fianc Martyn Gibbs were even more excited after scan results showed she was expecting twins.

But, 19 weeks into the pregnancy, the couple were stunned when an ultrasound scan revealed an even bigger surprise - Miss Fry was expecting quadruplets.

The four babies have been conceived naturally - making the new family-to-be even more of a rarity.

Miss Fry, 35, is now 26 weeks into the pregnancy and is expected to go into labour any time after the next two weeks.

She said: "We thought it was great that we were having twins - but to find out it is quads was unbelievable.

"We were in deep shock for days. But now, we think we are blessed and there must be a reason for it - although we probably won't think that at midnight when we are trying to feed them!"

According to the UK's Twins and Multiple Births Association, only five out of 687,152 births in England, Scotland and Wales in 2005 were quads.

Miss Fry, of Upton Crescent, Oakridge, Basingstoke, said: "The consultant at the hospital said it is very rare because we have not had any fertility treatment.

"We had been trying for a baby for about three months when I did a test and it was positive.

"At about five weeks, I had pains so I went to casualty at Basingstoke hospital where they did a scan and told us it was twins.

"At 19-and-a-half weeks, I had a routine scan. The nurse looked quite concerned so I asked if anything was wrong. She said 'I think you've got more than two in there - I'm sure there are four'.

"She got someone else to check and it was four - we couldn't believe it."

Two weeks ago, Miss Fry, who is on maternity leave from her job as an office manager for Lada Engineering in Basingstoke, was the same size as a woman with a single pregnancy at 32 weeks.

"I am now at the stage where, if it was a single pregnancy,

I would be due," she said. "The babies are growing very well and I just have to wait to go into labour."

The babies - three boys and a girl - will be delivered by Caesarean section.

The couple have not decided on names for the boys, but the girl will be called Chelsea.

Basingstoke hospital's maternity unit only has a few incubators, although it can use cots as incubators if necessary.

Miss Fry is expecting to go to either Southampton or London to have the babies and then be transferred to Basingstoke when the new-borns are all fit enough.

Lorry driver Mr Gibbs, 33, said: "We can't wait now. We're really looking forward to them being born and are up for the challenge.

"It's going to be a bit of a financial killer - we've even got to buy a new car that will seat six.

"We need whatever help we can get. We are stocking up on nappies, bottles and milk and have bought four cots and two double buggies, but we're going to need lots more nappies, milk and clothes."

The pair, who both grew up in Basingstoke, have twins in their family trees. Mr Gibbs' great aunt was a twin and Miss Fry's cousin, on her father's side, is a twin.

But Mr Gibbs said: "It never even occurred to us that we might have twins - let alone quads."

Any companies or individuals willing to donate items for the babies should call The Gazette on 01256 337423.

First published: Thursday, April 13, 2006