Darmi, the father of the triplets, lost his wife and three daughters when huge waves from the Indian Ocean tsunami devastated Aceh province on Indonesia's Sumatra island.

"I am very grateful. God has given me back my children I lost in the tsunami," said Darmi, who remarried after the tragedy. Like many Indonesians he goes by one name.

Darmi said doctors had thought his wife might have to undergo a caesarean section but in the event the babies were delivered normally.

"After my female triplets were born, all the worries have gone and turned to happiness," the 43-year-old civil servant said.

Asma Sulaiman, a midwife at the Permata Hati maternity hospital, said the babies were in good condition but remained in intensive care.

"They can be taken home when they weigh 2 kg (4.4 lb) because with that weight they can adapt to the outside environment."