Couple who tried for baby 9 years have quads from just 1 embryo

A couple who had been trying for a baby for almost a decade are celebrating the birth of quadruplet girls following a pregnancy that made medical history, The Daily Mail reported.

Doctors were stunned when four babies of the same sex developed after a single embryo was implanted in the pair’s first attempt at IVF.

And after nine years of longing to start a family, proud parents Christine and Justin Clark suddenly have a rather substantial one.

The babies had a combined weight of just over 10lb when they were born at the Jessop Hospital in Sheffield on March 25. Darcy weighed 2lb, followed by Caroline at 2lb 3oz, Elisha at 2lb 14oz and Alexis at 3lb.

Mr Clark, a lorry driver, said: ‘The girls are all doing well. Now we can’t wait to get them home.’

He added that the couple were on the verge of giving up hope of a baby when they decided to try IVF.

Just one embryo was implanted – and Mrs Clark, 36, found out she was pregnant only three weeks later.

An initial scan suggested triplets, but a second revealed four babies. Mr Clark, 43, said: “It was very emotional. We were happy, but worried about the logistics.”

The pregnancy also proved difficult as Mrs Clark, a nurse, suffered from extreme morning sickness.

She was admitted to hospital at 24 weeks because she was breathless, but doctors kept her stable until 30 weeks before delivering the four babies by caesarean.

Experts believe the single embryo split into three before one of these split again, resulting in qudruplets.

Adel Shaker of care Sheffield, who carried out the fertility treatment, said: ‘I have been working in IVF for over 20 years and this is the first case I am aware of where a single embryo transferred resulted in a quadruplet pregnancy.

“Previous IVF quadruplets have seen babies from both sexes and were reported after transferring two embryos at least.”

Darcy was first born at 2.46pm weighing 2lbs, Caroline followed also at 2.46pm weighing 2lbs 3oz, Elisha was born at 2.47pm weighing 2lbs 14oz and the last was Alexis, born weighing 3lbs at 2.48pm.

Clark, 43, said he and his wife had been able to take the biggest, Alexis, out of the special unit and added: ‘It was the first time either of us had pushed a pram.’

The parents said three weeks after the single embryo was implanted, a pregnancy test confirmed Mrs Clark was pregnant.

The 36-year-old said: “When we found out we were having four babies, I just couldn’t believe it. I was speechless and to be honest, I didn’t believe it until I saw them for myself.”

Mr Clark said: “They are the first set of quads to be born from a single embryo, which then split into three. One of these three then split into two, to make twins.

“On the birth of the children there were two placentas so we’re not sure yet if we have two babies and the twins, or triplets and a singleton.

“Tests will have to be carried out when they are 10 to 12 weeks old to confirm this.”

During the pregnancy, Mrs Clark suffered from extreme morning sickness - known as hyperemesis gravidarum.

She said: “When the news came out about Kate Middleton, I knew exactly what she was going through. It didn’t stop until 27 weeks and it was exhausting.

“I felt sick all the time, and I was tired and lethargic. I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.”

At 24 weeks, Mrs Clark was taken into hospital with breathlessness, but doctors managed to keep the pregnancy under control until week 30, when the girls were born by Caesarean section.