'Precious little miracle babies' - Quadruplets born at 25 weeks ready to spend Christmas at home in Northampton
Quadruplets, described as “precious little miracle babies”, are ready to spend Christmas at home in Northampton, after weeks in intensive care following their arrival 15 weeks early.
Jodie Keeley, 33, and partner Lyde Darien, 31, from Northampton, welcomed girls Xyliana, Xyla and Xylia and boy Xyri into the world in May.
The foursome, now six months old, were born, via c-section, at just 25 weeks – 15 weeks early – weighing a combined 2,590g (5lbs 11oz), with Xyla, the smallest, weighing 490g – the equivalent of a loaf of bread. The babies were born at John Radcliffe Hospital and received months of specialist neonatal care in the NICU, before finally being reunited at home in October. They are now all doing well.
According to Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, naturally conceived quadruplets are exceptionally rare, with estimates putting the odds at about one in 600,000.
On finding out at her 12-week scan that she was expecting quadruplets, Jodie, a social worker, said: “We were left speechless. We didn’t know how to think or feel – we couldn’t talk as we were so shocked.
“With all four needing long stays in hospital, the last few months have been the biggest rollercoaster ride you simply cannot comprehend without living it.
“But now we’re now really excited for our first Christmas with Xyliana, Xyla, Xylia and Xyri. We feel so blessed and privileged – they really are our precious little miracle babies.
“We’ll be staying at home this year with loads of decorations, a real tree and matching pyjamas – it’s going to be the best Christmas ever!”
Just how do they manage feeding, sleeping and nappies for four babies? Jodie said: “We honestly don’t know. We just get on with it!”
Lyde, the owner of a construction company with two daughters from a previous relationship, five-year-old Alaya and 10-year-old Lakiah, even knocked down a bedroom wall to make more space for the growing family.
He said: “I’m just so happy the babies are finally home, just in time for their first Christmas.
“I’m a big lover of Christmas already, but this Christmas is going to be really special with my family.”
More than 100 staff members – including consultants, resident doctors, nurses, and speech and language therapists – were involved in the quartet’s care.
Jodie said: “We will forever be grateful for the care and support we received, and we cannot express our thanks enough.
“We hope that one day we can give back to the unit as they got us and our babies through the most challenging and scary part.”
Geza Vass, a Consultant Neonatologist, added: “Welcoming Jodie’s extremely preterm quadruplets was both exciting and challenging. While our unit has previous experience caring for quadruplet and other multiple births, this delivery still required meticulous preparation.
“Their three-month neonatal journey was filled with both highs and lows – an experience four times more complex than that of a single extremely preterm baby. We all feel extremely proud and privileged to have supported these tiny fighters and their family from the very beginning of their remarkable journey.”
The family was also supported during the hospital stay by charity Support for the Sick Newborn and their Parents (SSNAP), who Jodie described as “incredible and so lovely” for their day-to-day support and holistic care.