Houston-Area Couple Gives Thanks Early This Year With Arrival Of Quintuplets At The Woman's Hospital Of Texas

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 03 Nov 2008 - 2:00 PST

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When Bill and Kelly Phillips first met over a game of dominoes at Texas A&M, they could never have predicted just how full their lives together would be. The Phillips are giving thanks for five new bundles of joy after Kelly delivered quintuplets at The Woman's Hospital of Texas (Woman's) in Houston this past week.

The quintuplets were delivered via C-section on October 25 by Dr. Brian Kirshon, OB/GYN and Maternal/Fetal Medicine specialist with Houston Perinatal Associates, P.A. -- a specialty group at Woman's. Although contractions began at only 18 weeks, Kelly didn't deliver until 33 weeks into her pregnancy -- a remarkable accomplishment since the average gestation for quintuplets is 27.4 weeks. In fact, Kelly's pregnancy duration nearly equaled that of the longest gestation for quintuplets on record: the Wilson quints, born at 34.3 weeks.

"When we found out we were having not one but five babies, we were in shock but once we were through the first trimester and started picking names, we were ecstatic," said Kelly Phillips. Kelly spent her final month of pregnancy at the Antepartum unit at Woman's, even receiving a surprise party from the nurses once she hit her 32nd week -- a benchmark for the babies' development. "This has been such an exceptional experience all the way around and the remarkable care and attention we've received from everyone at Woman's has only added to our joy," said Phillips.

With the health of her five babies as her priority throughout the pregnancy, Kelly began limiting her activities and lowering her stress levels once she made it through her first trimester. She followed Dr. Kirshon's instructions to the letter, all the while maintaining the power of positive thinking and prayer to keep her babies safe and strong in utero. The result: John, Becca, Ali, David and Kate ranging in weight from 3 lbs. 3 oz. to 4 lbs. 12 oz. and growing steadily in Woman's Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

"It's a tremendous feat for the Phillips' quintuplets to get to 33 weeks gestation and have such exceptional birth weights," said Kirshon. "That is certainly a testament to what a remarkable patient Kelly is and her absolute commitment to her babies' health and well-being."

Bill and Kelly join a very select group of parents with high order multiples. According to the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, the number of quintuplets and other higher order births in 2005 totaled only 68 nationwide, and in Texas, only 0.1 percent of live births were triplets or larger. Woman's delivers more than 9,000 babies each year, including a high number of multiples; quintuplets, however, remain a rarity.

"It's not every day that quints are delivered, but our team has the experience and know how to care for multiples -- even high order multiples like these babies," said Dr. Jayne Finkowski, a Neonatologist with Medical Center Neonatal Associates, P.A. -- a specialty group at Woman's. "All five are doing exceptionally well and are being cared for in our Level II NICU where we will monitor their progress until they are ready to be released."

While the Phillips may not yet be "Jon & Kate Plus 8," -- TLC's hit series -- they are well on their way. With an 18-month-old at home, the latest additions to the family expand their kid count to six: three boys and three girls. While it will likely be a tight squeeze in their three bedroom home in The Woodlands, Texas, when they bring the babies home, both parents agree there is more than enough room in their hearts for all of their children. To keep track of the Phillips' family, visit their blog online at http://www.Phillipsmultiples.blogspot.com.

About the Woman's Hospital of Texas

Established in 1976, The Woman's Hospital of Texas (Woman's) is a nationally recognized, specialty hospital in the Houston area dedicated exclusively to the care of women and infants. Woman's staff, including cutting-edge Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and one-on-one labor and delivery nurses, are dedicated to excellent, personalized service and education. Woman's helps women at every stage of life get well and stay healthy. Since 2007, U.S. News & World Report ranked Woman's in their top 50 hospitals nationwide for gynecologic care. The Woman's Hospital of Texas. Every Woman. Every Baby. http://www.womanshospital.com

Fact Sheet

General Facts about Multiples/Quintuplets

-- Number of quintuplets and higher birth order births were 68(1)
-- Average gestation for quintuplet birth and higher is 27 weeks(2)
-- About seven percent of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) result in triplets or more(3)

Facts about the Phillips family

-- Mother -- Kelly Phillips, age 29
-- Stay-at-home mother
-- Former mechanical engineer and real estate agent
-- Father - Bill Phillips, age 30
-- Computer programmer
-- Met at Texas A&M in College Station over a game of dominoes
-- Married 7 1/2 years
-- Son, Mark Phillips, 18 months
-- Became pregnant with quintuplets on first try using intrauterine insemination (IUI)
-- Gave birth to quintuplets via Cesarean section at The Woman's Hospital of Texas on Saturday, October 25, 2008
-- Kelly has been in the Woman's Antepartum unit for 4 weeks prior to birth
-- All babies delivered in under two minutes
-- Delivering physician: Dr. Brian Kirshon, Maternal Fetal Medicine
-- Neonatologists: Medical Center Neonatal Associates, P.A.
-- Babies will stay at The Woman's Hospital for 2-4 weeks
-- Total length of babies is 6 feet, 9.5 inches
-- Total weight 19 lbs., 12 oz.
- John Daniel (John) - 3 lbs., 3 oz., 14 inches born at 11:03 a.m.
- Rebecca Jenne (Becca) - 4 lbs, 1 oz., 17.25 inches born at 11:03 a.m.
- Alison Marie (Ali) - 3 lbs., 12 oz., 16 inches born at 11:04 a.m.
- David James (David) - 4 lbs., 12 oz., 17.5 inches born at 11:04 a.m.
- Katelyn Elizabeth (Kate) - 4 lbs, 16.75 inches born at 11:04 a.m.
-- Reside in The Woodlands in a 3 bedroom home and have no plans to move. All babies will sleep in a nursery which previously served as the family's dining room. The new nursery will house five cribs while big brother will stay in a separate bedroom.

To keep track of the Phillips' family, visit their blog online at http://www.Phillipsmultiples.blogspot.com.

(1) According to the Centers for Disease Control's National Center for Health Statistics, 2005

(2) National Vital Statistics System. 2005 natality file. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/births.htm.

(3) Wright, V.C., et al. Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance- 2003. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, volume 55 (SS04), May 26, 2006 (referenced on the March of Dimes website)

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Woman's Hospital of Texas