A Co Limerick couple are celebrating the birth of quads this week after suffering four miscarriages.
James and Grace Slattery, who married four years ago, have been happily showing off their new arrivals to the world via Facebook. James is already relishing his role as the “quad father”.
Grace (31) gave birth to three girls and a boy on Monday morning via Caesarean section. Despite entering the world at the early hour of 3.54am and at 32 weeks’ gestation, they were “kicking and screaming”, she said.
First to arrive was Amelia Helen (4lbs 3 ounces), Lucas James at 3.55am (3lbs 10 ounces), Mollie Rose at 3.56am (2lbs 15 ounces) and Lily Grace May at 3.57am (3lbs 4 ounces).
James, who was at home in Caherconlish, Co Limerick, received a late-night telephone call from his wife at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin to say their four children were about to be born. She had been transferred there for specialist treatment to cope with the four births.
Garda escort
She told her husband to ring for a Garda escort or else face missing the delivery.
“Sure, I thought she was away with the birds. I didn’t think it would happen at all,” he said. The Garda responded by getting him quickly to the delivery ward 197km away.
“I would have missed the birth if it was not for the fantastic Garda in Henry Street, Limerick, and their colleagues throughout the route,” he said.
“I cannot thank them enough for their help.”