Mississippi quintuplets, mom, faring well after exceedingly rare birth at UMMC

The first set of quintuplets born at the University of Mississippi Medical Center are the talk of the city. And it took a small medical army and a lot of planning to pull it off.

On Feb. 16, starting a little after 9 a.m., Haylee Ladner delivered four girls and one boy at UMMC with the assistance of four surgeons, 30 to 35 neonatal, five anesthesiologists and an array of other physicians and therapists.

Quintuplets occur in one in 60 million births.

Adalyn Elizabeth was born at 9:19 a.m., weighing 2 pounds, 2 ounces and measuring 13.38 inches long. Shortly after, little sister Everleigh Rose came along at 9:20 a.m., weighing 2 pounds, .8 ounces and measuring 12.59 inches. Sister Malley Kate followed at 9:21 a.m. at 1 pound, 11 ounces and 12.99 inches long. Magnolia Mae was the last sister delivered at 9:22 a.m., weighing 2 pounds, 2 ounces and measuring 13.18 inches. The four girls are identical quadruplets, exceedingly rare at one in 10 to 15 million.

Little brother Jake Easton was the last to be born at 9:23 a.m., the biggest at 2 pounds, 5 ounces and 13.77 inches long.

The babies were not ready to be photographed.

The Ladner quintuplets are thought to be the highest number of multiple babies born at UMMC since the quadruplets of Craig and Kimberly Fugate were born at UMMC in 2014.

Most pregnancies usually last 40 weeks but in this case, the set of quintuplets came much earlier at 28 weeks. Premature births are common at UMMC, but this particular case is quite mesmerizing. Dr. Rachael Morris said all were born by caesarian section and are faring well for their gestational age of 28 weeks and one day.

The quintuplets have been admitted to neonatal intensive care since birth at Children’s of Mississippi. Haylee has also recovered.

Haylee and Shawn Ladner, 26, of Purvis called the births a true blessing from God. They had documented their journey on YouTube.

Quints at UMMC:Quintuplets born to MS couple at University of Mississippi Medical Center

Haylee Ladner said they have miracle babies and she thought she'd never get the chance of being a mother after having prior complications.

"Being the mother of five is the greatest blessing in my entire life," Haylee said. "The one thing I'm glad I never gave up on was being a mother. I was blessed to have a great team of doctors beside me throughout my pregnancy and now as our children are being cared for... until they reach a healthy weight."

Haylee said the inspiration for some of the names came from their family lineage and some were thought of prior to the delivery.

Shawn Ladner said he is just as grateful to be a father of quintuplets as the mother of their children.

"When we went for our first check-up we thought we were having twins, but the doctors told us that it would be a possibility of having five," Shawn said. "We were terrified until we met with Dr. Morris, who assured us we'd be taken care of."

Morris, Associate professor in maternal-fetal medicine at UMMC, said Haylee was admitted to UMMC on Jan. 11 and that she is one of the strongest mothers she has worked with.

"This is an exciting day to talk about the Ladners and their precious babies," Morris said. "I had the pleasure of meeting the couple on Oct. 14 in 2022 after being referred to me by a reproductive endocrinologist in the community after being diagnosed with a quintuple pregnancy. Shortly after arriving at UMMC, Haylee underwent fertility treatments, which resulted in a monochorionic quadruplet set of females plus a singleton male pregnancy that totaled five."

Morris said the four females all survived on one placenta and the male had his own, which makes this particular pregnancy unique.

"Quintuplets are exceedingly rare with a 1 out of 60 million chance of a successful pregnancy," Morris said. "To my knowledge, this particular type of pregnancy has only been reported one additional time, which was a case in Hawaii in 2018 with male quadruplets plus a singleton female. I am fortunate enough to have the privilege to care for her and her children."

Morris said UMMC experienced a similar pregnancy and delivery in 2014 with quadruplets.

"This was the most exciting and humbling delivery I have been a part of," Morris said. "The quintuplets are in great condition and we look forward to giving them continuous care."

Dr. Mobolaji E. Famuyide, chief of the division of newborn medicine, said due to the risks of carrying five babies including premature birth, Haylee became a patient of Morris through the Center for Maternal and Fetal Care.

Once Haylee was admitted to Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants, a labor and delivery room was set aside for her.

"A daily schedule was put in place for the entire duration of her stay in the hospital, and team members were willing and happy to be called in even if this happened at 2 a.m., " Famuyide said. "There were five warmers and two rooms ready for the babies, and several neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, nurses and respiratory therapists ready every day. We were ready for weeks for this birth."

Haylee said since the birth of their babies, they have been getting the best of care and have gotten the chance to hold three of the five thus far.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Quintuplets born to MS parents at UMMC include identical quadruplets