Gemma Robson and her partner Andy Raine were initially planning to have one child when a first-trimester ultrasound revealed the couple was expecting triplets. Then a second ultrasound later in the pregnancy revealed even more surprising news. The parents-to-be were shocked to find out they would actually be having quadruplets.
The British couple welcomed sisters Dani, Skye, Mia, and Taylor to the world after they were stunned by the surprising news of the fourth baby near the middle of the pregnancy, according to Metro. Gemma said she was stunned after her 12-week scan and then again at the 17-week scan.
“I couldn’t believe it when we were told we were having quadruplets, and I nearly fainted,” said 33-year-old Andy. “It’s an amazing feeling to now see them there.”
The four girls arrived earlier than Gemma’s official due date.
According to reports, Gemma was scheduled to deliver the babies by cesarean section at the beginning of December. But she unexpectedly went into labor with the quadruplets on November 18.
“On Friday night I felt a bit of discomfort, but with four babies in there I thought they were just moving around,” Gemma recalled.
“However, on Saturday morning I woke up and couldn’t stand up — my waters hadn’t broken but I could feel my contractions had started so we drove to Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary,” she added.
Gemma had an emergency C-section, and the quadruplets were born the following day.
The babies weighed around 3 pounds each, and being born premature, they were checked into the neonatal care unit for observation. Hospital staff had initially placed the girls in incubators to monitor their body temperatures. According to Metro, the newborns will remain hospitalized for three months as doctors determine their overall health before the couple can take them home.
“I still don’t think I’ve processed it all yet. I have a mixture of emotions,” said Gemma. "It’s a big relief as they were becoming very heavy to carry, but you obviously do still worry that they will be fine."
Andy missed the birth of his baby girls after fainting in the delivery room.
“I was in a bit of shock in the delivery room and I don’t really remember the arrival of the babies as I passed out and woke up on a pillow on the floor,” said Andy. “By the time I came round, all four had been born and it was an amazing feeling to see them.”
The couple plans to live together to raise their daughters in one household.
The new parents said they applied for housing with the South Tyneside Council to live with their newborns, along with Gemma’s 10-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, Millie Grace.
Gemma says she’s “really looking forward to having all the girls home, but it is quite daunting going from one child to five.”
The surprising story is a tale the couple plan to explain to their baby girls once they get older.
