A mother has shared her joy after giving birth to naturally conceived quadruplets.
Arlene and John Mitchell, from Longridge in West Lothian, welcomed their sons Ben, Noah, Harrison, and Rory on 14 May. Harrison, the smallest, weighed 2lb 14oz, while Ben, Noah, and Rory each weighed 2lb 15oz.
Arlene described the experience as “incredible and overwhelming.” Naturally conceived quadruplets are extremely rare, with doctors estimating the odds at about one in 700,000 births. These are the first quadruplets to be born in Lothian.
Arlene, 34, and John, 38, already have an 11-year-old daughter, Lauren, and a three-year-old son, Hunter. They are now adjusting to life as a family of eight.
“It was a total shock when we found out there were four babies at the first scan,” Arlene said. “The nurse initially thought there was more than one baby and then discovered there were more than three. I was speechless and my husband couldn’t believe it. They are really beautiful and we are so delighted. We can’t wait to take our four boys home to Lauren and Hunter.”
John added, “Life is going to be a bit noisier for all of us but I’m really looking forward to us being one big family.”
Arlene was closely monitored throughout her pregnancy due to risks associated with multiple births, such as premature delivery and pre-eclampsia. “Having quadruplets is a high-risk pregnancy, and I was anxious at every scan that there wouldn’t be four heartbeats,” she said. “The midwifery team were amazing and supported me every step of the way.”
A team of 17 doctors and midwives delivered the quadruplets at the Simpson’s Centre for Reproductive Health at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Ms. Mitchell underwent a planned Caesarean section at 30 weeks pregnant. Each baby had a team of four clinicians assigned to them.
Initially, the boys received intensive care in the neonatal department to stabilize their breathing and allow them to grow while being tube-fed. Harrison and Rory were later moved to the special care baby unit at St John’s Hospital, Livingston, to be closer to their family. Ben and Noah later joined them.
Katy Ruggeri, NHS Lothian associate director of midwifery, said, “Delivering quadruplets is an extraordinary experience. I am immensely proud of our entire midwifery and neonatal team for their dedication and expertise throughout this remarkable journey. This was the first set of quadruplets delivered in Lothian, and it’s something the entire team will remember for the rest of their careers.”
The boys are now thriving, and the family is preparing for the move home. “Welcoming quadruplets into the world has been an incredible and overwhelming experience,” Arlene said. “It’s going to be a very different house and probably a bit noisier, but we’re so looking forward to taking our babies home.”
