Woman Has Rare Identical Quadruplets

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By SARAH COOKE
Associated Press Writer

HELENA, Mont. - A 35-year-old Canadian woman has given birth to rare identical quadruplets, officials at a Great Falls hospital said Thursday. Karen Jepp of Calgary, Alberta, delivered Autumn, Brooke, Calissa and Dahlia by Caesarian section Sunday afternoon at Benefis Healthcare, said Amy Astin, the hospital's director of community and government relations. The four girls were breathing without ventilators and listed in good condition Thursday, she said.

"These babies are doing grand," said Dr. Tom Key of Great Falls, the perinatologist who delivered the girls. The babies were born about two months early and were conceived without fertility drugs, he said. They weighed between 2.6 pounds and 2.15 pounds. Jepp and her husband, J.P., declined to be interviewed by The Associated Press.

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The chances of giving birth to identical quadruplets is about one in 13 million, Key said.

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"These quads are special," Astin said. "The fact that she carried them 31 weeks and three days is excellent."

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[Arugula Latte]

1. You know, I hate to say this, but

I think one of the biggest compensations for having that many babies at one time would be to marvel over their differences; with identicals it's not quite as interesting. :hide:

[Shine]

2. Cool story and great names, too!!!

I wish them all the best and a happy life. :toast:

[Shine]

3. NO fertility drugs were used!! The chances are 1 in 13 million?!? Wow.

this really is an incredible story. They're pretty special girls, alright.

Did ya notice how the names they chose follow the first four letters of the alphabet? :D

That's cute. :thumbsup: