Woman gives birth to triplets for second time

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Think triplets are a challenge? Try two sets.<br><br>Think that's difficult? Try giving birth to all six children before you're 20.<br><br>A Maryland woman this week gave birth

Thursday, February 3rd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Think triplets are a challenge? Try two sets.

Think that's difficult? Try giving birth to all six children before you're 20.

A Maryland woman this week gave birth to triplets for the second time in less than two years, defying odds of about one in 50
million, hospital officials said.

Crystal Cornick, 19, gave birth at 35 weeks to Ariel, Tyler and Tyree on Tuesday at the University of Maryland Hospital. The babies
weighed from 3 pounds 14 ounces to 5 pounds.

Unlike many instances of unusual multiple births, Cornick did not use fertility drugs for either pregnancy.

Just as remarkably, said Ira Gewolb, director of neonatology at the University of Maryland Hospital for Children, Cornick delivered
both sets virtually at full term. She carried all six babies for 35 weeks -- and all were delivered naturally.

In an interview from her hospital room, Cornick said she and her fiance, Richard Williams, 22, have been overwhelmed by the
international attention.

"I'm still in shock," Cornick said.

Cornick was attending Goucher College where she had majored in economics and is planning on a career as a financial analyst.

Williams had attended Baltimore Community College, but had to leave to take a job as a truck driver, she said.

Cornick said she was planning to take a year off from school to find day care for her older triplets when she discovered she was
pregnant again.

Cornick said her mother will be with her, as well as Williams' parents.

Cornick said her pastor also helped calm her after she suddenly went from childless to the mother of six in under two years.

"He said your children are a blessing and you should feel lucky to have them, because some people can't have children," she said.

"That kind of put me at ease."