A momentary hush falls over the large, bustling clinical team in the delivery room as perinatologist Jose Prieto, M.D., prepares to usher new life into the world.
Performing a C-section, Prieto deftly pulls the infant from the mother’s womb. He holds the tiny newborn up over the paper curtain for the mother to see. A beautiful boy, born at 10:32 a.m., weighing in at just over 4 pounds. His parents will name him Nash. Joy and relief.
But wait.
Two minutes later, another arrival. Delicate baby sister, Zoey, weighs in at 3 pounds, 15 ounces. Girl power. Smiles all around.
But this party isn’t over.
The very next minute, at 10:35 a.m., a third sibling makes a first appearance. A brother for Nash and Zoey. Baby Leif weighs 3 pounds, 13 ounces.
It is a finely choreographed dance–a full clinical team for each infant, prepared for the hand-off, anticipating every need.
But they aren’t finished. There is one more.
The last newborn is welcomed into the world—a boy. He’s a bit tinier than the others, at 3 pounds, 9 ounces, but he’ll bear a name of mythic proportions. His name is Thor.
Nash, Zoey, Leif and mighty Thor.
Four babies in five minutes. Quadruplets.
Strength in numbers.