Having multiple births is always an exciting event! When a woman gives birth to more than one baby from a single pregnancy, it’s called multiple births. The most common type of multiple births are twins, but sometimes a woman can have triplets, quadruplets, quintuplets, or even higher order multiples! Quintuplets, meaning 5 babies born at once, is exceptionally rare. So what do you call 5 babies born on the same day from a single pregnancy? There are a few different terms used to describe this special situation.
What Are Quintuplets?
Quintuplets refers to 5 babies born from one pregnancy. This occurs in only 1 out of every 60 million births, making it extremely uncommon. Quintuplets can be:
- All identical, when one fertilized egg splits into 5 embryos.
- Partially identical, when more than one egg is fertilized.
- All fraternal, when 5 separate eggs are fertilized by 5 separate sperm.
Having 5 babies at once puts an enormous physical strain on the mother’s body. Quintuplets are almost always born prematurely, often very early at just over 5 months gestation on average. They will likely require intensive neonatal care and have a higher risk of health issues associated with prematurity.
Other Terms Used
In addition to quintuplets, other terms used for 5 babies born at one time include:
- Quintuplet – This is the most common term used to refer to one baby from a set of quintuplets. You would refer to each of the 5 babies individually as a quintuplet.
- Quins – This is an informal shortening of the term quintuplets used affectionately by families.
- Fives – Referring to them as “the fives” is another very casual way quintuplet families describe their 5 babies born together.
Famous Cases of Quintuplets
There have been some remarkable stories of quintuplet births over the years. Here are a few of the most famous cases:
Dionne Quintuplets
The Dionne quintuplets hold the distinction of being the first known set of quintuplets to survive their infancy. Born on May 28, 1934 near Ontario, Canada, the girls were born 2 months premature. Their survival was considered an extraordinary medical miracle at the time, as no quintuplets had previously lived past a few days old.
The 5 girls – Annette, Cecile, Emilie, Marie, and Yvonne – became child stars displaying their daily routines. Their births helped advance research into prenatal nutrition and birth, but their childhood fame also raised ethical concerns.
McCaughey Septuplets
While not quintuplets, the McCaughey septuplets were another famous high multiple birth. Born on November 19, 1997 in Iowa, USA, the MCaughey’s gave birth to 7 babies – Kenny, Alexis, Natalie, Kelsey, Nathan, Brandon, and Joel.
The septuplets held the record for most babies born in a single birth to survive infancy. Like most higher order multiples, they were born through fertility treatments and arrived over 2 months early via C-section. Their highly publicized story brought attention to the risks of multiple embryo transfers during IVF.
Jones Quintuplets
The Jones quintuplets were born on June 11, 2006 in Birmingham, Alabama. Four girls – Hannah, Leah, Sarah, and Kate – were born along with one boy named Joel. Their parents refused selective reduction during the high risk pregnancy.
Born at 25 weeks, the babies weighed between 1-2 pounds each. They spent over 2 months in intensive care but all survived and were eventually able to go home. The Jones quintuplets spread awareness for March of Dimes, which helped support their medical care.
Impacts of Quintuplets
When quintuplets are born, it has significant physical, emotional, and financial impacts on the family.
Physical Effects
Carrying 5 babies leads to increased risks during pregnancy, including:
- Preterm labor starting around 24-28 weeks
- Preeclampsia
- Gestational diabetes
- Anemia
- Excess amniotic fluid
- Fetal growth problems
Most quintuplets are born very premature by C-section to avoid complications. The babies will likely have low birth weights and extended NICU stays.
Emotional Challenges
Having quintuplets is emotionally very difficult for parents. Caring for 5 newborns at once leads to:
- Sleep deprivation
- Postpartum depression
- Marital stress
- Too much to handle
- Loss of independence
- Guilt over divided attention
Help from family or nurses is essential for multiples to allow parents to cope. Therapy or support groups can also assist with the transition.
Financial Burdens
Raising quintuplets is extremely expensive given all the medical bills and baby needs. Costs include:
- Fertility treatments – Around $40,000 per IVF cycle
- Delivery and neonatal care – Over $500,000 for a 2 month NICU stay per baby
- Quintupling needs like diapers, formula, clothes, car seats, cribs etc.
- Larger house
- Childcare if both parents work
Most families rely on donations, family support, fundraising, and corporate sponsorships. Medicaid, insurance and government grants may also provide assistance.
Risk Factors
Certain factors can increase a woman’s risk of conceiving quintuplets naturally or through fertility treatments:
- Being over 35 years old
- Releasing multiple eggs per cycle
- Using injectable ovulation stimulation drugs
- Transferring multiple embryos during IVF
- Having a family history of fraternal multiples
- Being of African descent
However, quintuplets can still rarely occur in women without known risk factors as well. Advanced maternal age and fertility treatments are the two main contributors to quintuplets today.
Chances of Survival
With intensive medical support, the overall survival rate of quintuplets has risen in recent decades. However, outcomes still vary based on gestational age:
- 24 weeks – 60% survival rate
- 26 weeks – 80% survival rate
- 30 weeks – Over 90% survival rate
Most quintuplets born under 25 weeks do not survive. But survival odds improve significantly for each additional week in utero. Quality neonatal care has helped increase survival for these rare high multiple births.
Delivering Quintuplets
When expecting quintuplets, a scheduled C-section delivery is recommended starting at 32-34 weeks. Vaginal birth is too risky with 5 babies. C-sections allow:
- Controlled environment
- Extra medical staff available
- Minimal physical strain
- Shorter labor
- Decreased cord accidents
Doctors will administer steroids before birth to strengthen the babies’ lungs. Pediatric and NICU teams will be present to immediately care for the quintuplets.
Conclusion
The arrival of quintuplets is an extremely rare and high-risk event, but also brings immense joy. Carrying 5 babies puts great demands on the mother’s body. Most quintuplets are born very prematurely by cesarean delivery and require intensive medical care. While challenging, with support most quintuplet families thrive. The birth of 5 babies at once holds risks but creates lifelong bonds. Terms like quintuplets, quints, and fives convey the special connection these unique siblings share.