A couple are over the moon after defying staggering odds of one in 700,000 to welcome four adorable baby boys into their family. Arlene and John Mitchell, hailing from Longridge in West Lothian, have been blessed with a rare set of quadruplets - marking them as the first naturally conceived quads ever born in Lothian.
The tiny newcomers, named Ben, Noah, Harrison and Rory, made their entrance into the world on May 14, each weighing less than 3lb. Harrison, the smallest of the brothers, tipped the scales at 2lb 14 oz, while Ben, Noah, and Rory each weighed in at 2lb 15oz.
Naturally conceived quadruplets are an extreme rarity, with medics estimating the odds at about one in 700,000 births. Arlene, 34, and John, 38, who are already parents to daughter Lauren, 11, and three-year-old son Hunter, are now adjusting to life as a family of eight.
Arlene said: "It was a total shock when we found out there were four babies at the first scan. The nurse said she thought there was more than one baby and then she said there was more than three babies! I was absolutely speechless and my husband just 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 and start our journey as a family of eight!"
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 under constant observation throughout her pregnancy due to the risks associated with multiple births, such as premature delivery and preeclampsia.
Arlene recalled: "Having quadruplets is a high-risk pregnancy and at every scan, I was really anxious that there wouldn't be four heartbeats. The midwifery team were absolutely amazing, they really supported me every step of the way."
The quadruplets were delivered by a dedicated team of 17 doctors and midwives at the Simpson's Centre for Reproductive Health at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on May 14. Standing at just 5'2, Arlene underwent a planned Caesarean section when she was 30 weeks pregnant to minimise risks. Each newborn had a dedicated team of four clinicians assigned to them immediately after their birth.
Initially, the boys were each given intensive care in the Neonatal Department to help stabilise their breathing and allow them to grow while they were tube-fed. Harrison and Rory, two of the boys, were then moved to the Special Care Baby Unit in St John's Hospital to be closer to their family, before Ben and Noah joined them.
Katy Ruggeri, associate director of midwifery at NHS Lothian, said: "Delivering quadruplets is an extraordinary experience and 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."
Arlene added: "Welcoming quadruplets into the world has been an incredible and overwhelming experience. 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."