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West Lothian mum overwhelmed after rare birth of quadruplets
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# Welcoming rare quadruplets 'an incredible experience', says mum
21 hours ago
By Angie Brown, BBC Scotland, Edinburgh and East reporter
NHS Lothian
Ben, Noah, Harrison and Rory were born on 14 May - each tipping the
scales at less than 3lb each.
A mother has spoken of her joy after giving birth to naturally
conceived quadruplets.
Arlene and John Mitchell, from Longridge in West Lothian, became
parents to Ben, Noah, Harrison and Rory on 14 May.
The smallest of the baby brothers, Harrison, weighed 2lb 14 oz, while
Ben, Noah, and Rory each tipped the scales at 2lb 15oz.
Arlene said that welcoming them into the world was "an incredible and
overwhelming experience".
Naturally conceived quadruplets are extremely rare, with doctors
estimating the odds at about one in 700,000 births.
They are the first quadruplets to be born in Lothian.
Arlene, 34, and John, 38, already have a daughter Lauren, 11, and
three-year-old son Hunter.
But they must now get used to being a family of eight.
NHS Lothian
Arlene and John Mitchell with the quadruplets - the first ever to be
born in Lothian
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."
John said: "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 because of risks
associated with multiple births, such as premature delivery and pre-
eclampsia.
She added: "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."
NHS Lothian
Arlene Mitchell said she was "absolutely speechless" when she
discovered she was pregnant with four babies
A team of 17 doctors and midwives delivered the quadruplets in the
Simpson's Centre for Reproductive Health at the Royal Infirmary of
Edinburgh.
Ms Mitchell underwent a planned Caesarean section when she was 30
weeks pregnant.
Each baby had an individual team of four clinicians assigned to look
after them.
At first, 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 were later moved to the special care baby unit at St
John's Hospital, Livingston, to be closer to their family, before Ben
and Noah joined them.
NHS Lothian
A team of 17 doctors and midwives delivered the quadruplets in the
Simpson's Centre for Reproductive Health at the Royal Infirmary of
Edinburgh
Katy Ruggeri, NHS Lothian associate director of midwifery, 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."
The boys are now thriving and the family are preparing for the big
move home.
Arlene said: "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."
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