A husband and wife who spent five years trying for a baby have spoken of their joy after discovering they’re expecting quintuplets.
Jamie Scott, 33, fell pregnant after taking fertility medication and tests showed her hormone levels were high, indicating a possible multiple birth.
She and husband Skyler suspected they might be having twins but an ultrasound revealed they were actually expecting five babies, which is around a one in 55 million chance.
Five: A husband and wife who spent five years trying to have a baby, discovered they’re expecting quintuplets
Expecting: Jamie Scott, (left) fell pregnant after taking fertility medication and tests showed her hormone levels were high, indicating a possible multiple birth
It means their family will swell from four to nine this spring when the five babies join the couple’s other two sons, Shayden, 12, and Landon, seven.
Currently at 19 weeks, five-foot-four Jamie, who previously worked as nanny, already looks nine months pregnant and her bump is so heavy she’s virtually unable to walk.
Doctors said she should gain 100 pounds to feed the five extra mouths, meaning she must eat 4,000 calories a day and is feasting on burgers, pizzas and milkshakes, but craves cucumber.
Jamie and Skyler, a commercial appraiser, also face the daunting task of agreeing on five names for the unborn tots, but despite the challenges say they feel blessed.
Heavy: Currently at 19 weeks, five-foot-four Jamie, who previously worked as nanny, already looks nine months pregnant and her bump is so heavy she’s virtually unable to walk
Surprise! The 33-year-old and husband Skyler thought they might be having twins but an ultrasound revealed they were actually having five, which is around a one in 55 million chance
Jamie, of St George, Utah, said, ‘When we had the ultrasound I was expecting to see one or two little sacs and there were four in the first 20 minutes. Then we found the fifth.
‘I just cried. I was in awe. We had tried for quite some time so it was amazing that I even was pregnant.
‘I asked, “Are they all alive?” and so they went through each one hearing their heartbeats and taking their measurements and I breathed a sigh of relief.’
With her previous pregnancies, Jamie suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum, which causes extreme morning sickness and weight loss.
Hungry: Doctors said she should gain 100 pounds and eat 4,000 calories a day and is feasting on burgers, pizzas and milkshakes, despite only craving zero-calorie cucumbers
Family: The family from St George, Utah will grow from four to nine this spring when the five babies join the couple’s two sons, Shayden, 12, (left) and Landon, seven, (middle)
This time she’s been fortunate not to have it, but being pregnant with quintuplets presents its own challenges.
Jamie said, ‘When we found out the news we told our sons and their reaction was, “That’s so cool,” and then my 12-year-old said, “Good luck.”
‘It’s very difficult to walk so I’m kind of wheelchair-bound because I’m so exhausted, and I’m also hungry all the time.
‘My doctor recommended eating 4,000 calories a day and I’ve gained 20 pounds so far but it’s not enough so I’ve got to eat a lot, fast.
Trouble: With her previous pregnancies, Jamie suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum, which causes extreme morning sickness and weight loss, but luckily doesn’t have it this time
Spring chicken: The couple are currently staying near a hospital in Arizona where an expert in multiple births is set to deliver the babies by C-section in late April
‘I’m craving healthy food like cucumbers but they have zero calories so I have to beef it up with high fat things like McDonald’s and ice cream.
‘It’s also difficult to sleep because my stomach is growing so fast and it’s pretty painful. When one of the babies moves, they all move. It’s like a party in there.
‘But the thought of having five babies is totally overwhelming. I’m just really looking forward to bringing home five healthy, chubby babies.’
Jamie and Skyler say their local community has rallied around to support them, with neighbors and friends donating spare baby clothes and items.
The couple is currently staying near a hospital in Arizona where an expert in multiple births is set to deliver the babies by C-section in late April.
Skyler, who fell in love with Jamie after they went on a blind date, said, ‘When we found out Jamie had conceived it was a miracle. Hearing that there were five babies was a huge surprise.
‘We moved past the shock phase pretty fast and now it is just gratitude and excitement that we get to be on this journey.
‘I’m a person who has lots of energy because I have ADHD, so my brain is perfect for this. I know we are going to lose a lot of sleep but being a dad is the most rewarding adventure of my life.
‘It’s so amazing that I get to reset my brain and go through every stage of being a child again with them, their first Christmas, their first trip to Disneyland.
‘We want to show these five babies how beautiful and fun the world is.’