The odds of becoming the parents of identical quadruplet babies are an estimated one in 11 million to 15 million. Despite this, Jenny and Chris Marr welcomed 4 identical boys on March 15.
Arriving within two minutes via cesarean section Harrison, Hardy, Henry, and Hudson. It is estimated there only 72 sets of all-identical quadruplets worldwide. The incredible event occurs when a single egg cell is fertilized by one sperm cell and splits into four identical embryos. A spontaneous event, it is not achieved through fertility treatments.
“It’s amazing, the best feeling of all to hold all four of them together,” Jenny told the San Diego Union-Tribune, “It’s overwhelming and for the first time felt real.”
She was able to carry the babies until 28 weeks and four days with no complications.
“It was a natural conception, so whether it was multiple or single, it was a much healthier pregnancy,” the new mom revealed.
At first, doctors believed the couple was expecting triplets, but at their 12 weeks appointment a fourth baby who was not visible the week earlier appeared.
“Four was a surprise … but it was easier to wrap our heads around it,” Jenny said. “What is one more? And my favorite number is four. It was kind of a shock, but we rolled with it.”
Because all four babies were being nurtured by one placenta nurturing there was a concern for the tiniest baby, whom they named Hudson.
Initially, doctors had considered splitting the placenta through surgery, but in the end, the procedure was not needed.
Jenny’s first goal was the 22-weeks mark because that is when the babies would be considered medically viable.
“I got to my goal … and then it was, how far can I go?” she said.
While she had hoped to get to 35 weeks, her doctor said she could not safely go beyond 33 weeks.
The babies arrived weighing:
- Harrison Foy, born at 14 inches, 2 pounds 6 1/2 ounces.
- Hardy Smith, born at 14 inches, 2 pounds 10 ounces.
- Henry William, born at 14.3 inches, 2 pounds 6 1/2 ounces.
- Hudson Perry, born at 14 inches, 1 pound 15 ounces.
All of the babies are breathing on their own. The couple is just waiting for them to be strong enough to feed on their own. In order to be able to go home they need to be able to regulate their own temperature, take all feeds by mouth and breathe independently. This all normally occurs around the babies’ full-term due date.
Their grandmother set up a GoFundMe account if anyone wants to give a monetary gift. The page is called “Help the Marr Quads.”
