An unexpected pregnancy can seem daunting, or it may be a blessing in disguise. Sometimes it can take a while to digest the news, particularly if you have other small children and another baby wasn't on the radar.
Ashely Meyers, 26, and her husband Tyler, 28, of Laurel, Mississippi, are parents to two very young girls and weren't exactly planning to have a third baby so soon. But when Ashley's period was late, she decided to take a test just in case.
She told Today that her test was positive, which was a surprise, but the real shock came a few weeks later. Ashely had some early pregnancy bloodwork that indicated she might be expecting twins. The couple didn't bat an eye when her first ultrasound showed more than one sack. When they saw five, however, their jaws hit the floor.
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Ashley and Tyler are experienced parents.
She explained to Today that their daughters Paisleigh, 3, and Westlynn, 2, are only 16 months apart, so the thought of having twins wasn't too scary. They figured they could handle a pair of newborns, but her OBGYN had some surprising news a few weeks later.
"I was in complete shock," Ashley told Today. "I don't think my husband and I talked to people for two weeks. We just went silent. Five is a lot of babies."
Her husband said he had to rely on his faith. "I was like, 'How are we going to do this?' But you just need to leave it up to God. He is not going to put you in a situation that you can't handle," he shared.
Ashley’s medical team wants her to carry the babies as long as possible.
She is expecting two sons and three more daughters. She told Today that her doctors want to get her to 34 weeks' gestation and say the longer she is pregnant, "the better."
Because of the high-risk nature of having five babies, Tyler has had to take on many of the family's household duties. He told Today he has a "whole new respect" for his wife and the mother of his children.
The family has had a lot of help.
In addition to a GoFundMe account that has raised $more than $3,600 of a $10,000 goal thus far, the Meyers have a wonderful community of people who have stepped in to help.
"Complete strangers have blessed us with kindness. People have to come to help clean and wash dishes and get the rooms ready. When big stuff happens, we rally around each other. When everyone's got your back it doesn't feel so scary," Ashley told Today.
Ashley is currently in the hospital.
According to a Facebook post, she is awaiting her quints' arrival at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She has reached 25 weeks of gestation and is resting in the hospital surrounded by expert caregivers.
"The Quints are THRIVING and are growing so strong and beautifully. All babies are measuring almost two weeks ahead (weight wise) of a singleton pregnancy!" she wrote in her post. "We are above track and no one to thank for this but God his self!! As ready as I am to meet my little soccer players I want them to stay in and grow as much as they possibly can."
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Ashley is in good hands.
Staff at UMMC helped another mom of multiples safely deliver her babies just last year. The Ladner family welcomed their quints in 2023 — four girls and one boy. Now they are about to become big siblings as Haylee Ladner is set to add a little girl to the family this summer, according to a Facebook post.
Knowing the staff where she is delivering her quints have experience with multiples is a comfort to Ashley. She wrote on Facebook that she is thrilled to be at UMMC and receiving excellent care.
"My nurse and doctors have me and these babies SPOILED ROTTEN! I couldn't ask for better people to take care of me or the babies!" she exclaimed.
