And babies make 9 … Couple welcomes quintuplets at Mississippi hospital

Photos By: Joe Ellis/UMMC Photography

Ashley and Tyler Meyers of Laurel have five reasons to celebrate. The couple welcomed quintuplets – two boys and three girls – at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

The babies were born on July 5 at Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants aftercare through the hospital’s Center for Maternal-Fetal Care.

Franklin Walker was born first at 1:23 p.m., weighing 1 pound, 14.7 ounces, and 13.6 inches long. Then came Carter James at 1:26 p.m., weighing 2 pounds, 0.8 ounces, and 14.6 inches long. Saylor Kate was the first of the girls, born at 1:28 p.m., weighing 1 pound, 11.9 ounces, and 13.8 inches long. Allie Ray was born at 1:30 p.m., weighing 1 pound, 12.6 ounces, and 12.99 inches long. Nova Mae was born fifth at 1:31 p.m. at 1 pound, 13.6 ounces and 13.8 inches long.

All were born by caesarian section and are faring well for their gestational age of 27 weeks, said Dr. Mobolaji Famuyide, chief of the Division of Newborn Medicine. They have all been admitted to neonatal intensive care at Children’s of Mississippi.

“Seeing the babies is a dream come true,” Ashley Meyers said. “We had absolutely no idea what we were going to do when we were told there were five babies, but now seeing them here is like a breath of air. They are doing so fantastic, and we couldn’t be more thankful for what everyone has done throughout this process and journey, from keeping them in until 27 weeks to caring for them each day.”

The couple looks forward to introducing the babies to big sisters Paisleigh, 3, and Westlynn, 2.

Married seven years, Ashley, a phlebotomist, and Tyler, a mechanic, had recently moved into a new home when they were surprised by the pregnancy.

Dr. Rachael Morris, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, said the odds of spontaneous quintuplets are about one in 60 million. However, UMMC welcomed quintuplets in 2023 as well.

“When I got the call that there was another set of quintuplets, I was shocked,” she said.

The quintuplets’ mom, Ashley, “showed incredible strength and determination throughout her pregnancy, despite the challenges of carrying five fetuses at one time,” Morris said.

The care team for mother and babies included about 30 specialists in neonatology and neonatal nursing in addition to experts in obstetrics, gynecology, hematology, respiratory therapy, anesthesiology and surgery.

“I am proud of our collaborative teamwork and excellence,” Morris said, “and I am eager to watch these babies grow.”

Famuyide agreed.

“Our teams did an incredible job,” she said. “It takes a village, and everyone contributed to this effort. I’m so grateful to be working with such an amazing team.”