Four baby boys become first quadruplets born in Scots area in super rare birth

AN OVERJOYED Scots couple have welcomed a rare set of quadruplets into the world.

Proud parents Arlene and John Mitchell have told of their delight and shock over their brood of newborn tots.

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Adorable new arrivals Ben, Noah, Harrison and Rory were born nine weeks premature by Cesarean section on May 14, weighing less than 3lb each.

Doctors say the naturally conceived quadruplets are extremely rare, beating odds of one in 700,000 births.

The incredibly rare birth is also the first of its kind in the West Lothian area.

Arlene and John – who already have a daughter Lauren, 11, and a three-year-old son Hunter – are now preparing to adjust to life as a family of eight.

Arlene, 34, 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.”

The boys’ dad, John, 38, 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, from Longridge, was closely monitored by doctors over the course of her pregnancy because of risks associated with multiple births.

The quadruplets were later delivered by a team of 17 doctors and midwifes at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Each baby had an individual team of four clinicians assigned to take care of them after they were welcomed into the world.

With one of the boys weighing as little as 2lb 14 oz, all four brothers were given intensive care to help stabilise their breathing and allow them to grow while they were tube fed.

Katy Ruggeri, Associate Director of Midwifery, 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.”

With the boys now in a more stable condition, Arlene and John 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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