One in 60 million pregnancies result in quintuplets.
The young couple, who live in Laurel, Mississippi, already have two young daughters and recently moved into a new home when it was discovered that wife Ashley was pregnant again.
Although they were not planning another baby yet, they were happy with the news. However, during the tests, an unexpected surprise followed: it turned out that they will have quintuplets – reports today.com.
The young married couple with two children are expecting quintuplets
Ashley was taking cough syrup over the winter when she realized that her period was a day late. The mother of three-year-old Paisleigh and two-year-old Westlynn then decided to take a pregnancy test just to be safe, as some drugs can be harmful to the developing embryo.
“Not only was the test positive, the line was darker than I’ve ever seen in my life,” Ashley tells TODAY.com.
Based on the first blood test and the ultrasound, it was already certain that it was a twin pregnancy. Ashley wasn’t too scared; her first thought was that they could do it. After all, their two little girls are only 16 months apart in age. However, two weeks later, during a gynecological examination, it was revealed that they were expecting quintuplets – two boys and three girls. Suddenly, “we’ll make it” turned into panic.
“I was in complete shock. I don’t think my husband and I talked to people for two weeks. We just went silent. Five is a lot of babies”, says Ashley Meyers.
According to Dr. Rachael Morris, associate professor of gynecology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, quintuplets occur in about one in 60 million births. Ashley is currently at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson until she gives birth.
“My doctors are hoping we’ll make it to 34 weeks, because the longer they’re in, the better,” says Meyers. “I’ve been coloring and watching some TV and catching up on all the stuff I haven’t been able to do because I worked full-time before this.”
They get a lot of help from the community
Tyler, meanwhile, holds the front at home and has a whole new respect for his wife. Taking care of their daughters after a long day at work, she says, is harder than she thought.
Ashley and Tyler are religious and have received a lot of support from their community since finding out they are expecting quintuplets. Many people come to them to clean, wash dishes, and prepare the rooms for the arrival of the babies.
“When big stuff happens, we rally around each other”, says Asley Meyers with emotion.