Parenthood, often considered one of the most valued roles in life, does not always turn out as expected for everyone. Stephanie and Graham Freels, like many couples, longed to start a family. However, their journey was marked by unforeseen obstacles and challenges. Despite their fervent desire, conceiving a child was not an easy road for them.
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Stephanie’s health problems, exacerbated by the necessary surgery to remove a pituitary cyst, complicated their efforts to conceive. The road to parenthood has become a daunting and uphill struggle, full of disappointments and dashed hopes. But in the midst of trials, they clung to hope and faith.
After getting married in 2017, 27-year-old Stephanie and 29-year-old Graham Freels dreamed of starting a family. But this was not something that came easily to them. Rather, they had problems conceiving and even went to doctors for help.
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Most importantly, Stephanie’s forced surgery to remove a pituitary cyst from her body left her with a hormonal imbalance and greatly aggravated their condition.
After years of trying and disappointment after disappointment, Stephanie surrendered to God and decided to pray for a miracle.
“It finally happened – we hoped for children for a very long time! “I always wanted a big family, but I could never imagine that it could happen all at once,” she said, according to Reuters. Saint Joseph.
Just before Christmas Eve, God answered this woman’s prayers. Stephanie’s pregnancy test came out positive. The newlyweds and their family were obviously ecstatic. Soon the mother declared, “It’s been a pretty incredible morning for us.”
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After Stephanie and Graham visited the hospital for more testing, one of them caught their attention. According to the test, Stephanie gave birth to many children. An ultrasound a few months later revealed they were having quintuplets.
Stephanie added: “It was one of the strangest moments of our lives,” adding: “We were so confident and delighted that God had given us these five priceless children on purpose. But we also understood that having quintuplets carries significant risks.”
Giving birth to quintuplets is incredibly unusual. In 2020, just 29 quintuplets or higher-order multiples were born in the United States out of a total of more than 3.6 million births.
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Despite their excitement at the prospect of so many children, the Freels knew there was a chance this pregnancy might not end well.
“Right after we found out we were expecting quintuplets, I jumped on YouTube and started doing research to find the right doctor and hospital to deliver our babies,” Graham explained.
Fortunately, they were able to contact Phoenix perinatologist Dr. John Elliott, who specializes in higher-order multiple pregnancies. They moved and drove from Washington to Phoenix without a second thought. Graham managed to work remotely from home while continuing his full-time profession, but Stephanie devoted all her time and energy to managing her pregnancy.
Stephanie was supposed to carry the baby for 34 weeks, but it didn’t work out. Unfortunately, she experienced extreme nausea and vomiting during her pregnancy, known as hyperemesis gravidarum, and at 29 weeks she had to deliver her children by cesarean section.
According to Andrea Hassler, director of nursing at St. Joseph, “There were up to 20 people in the delivery room because each baby has its own team of nurses, respiratory therapists, and doctors to help with the transition after birth.”
“And then Stephanie had her own team on the maternity side as well to make sure she was safe during the birth as well.”
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The “Freels Five,” Adelyn, Eliana, Linnea, Fisher, and Harper Freels, had to stay in the NICU for a while after being born 13 weeks early.
Hassler said on Good Morning America, “As expected, they needed some respiratory support in the beginning.”
“And then it was really a focus on getting those babies to grow up outside the womb into the healthy babies you see today.”
After 76 days, the last five were removed from the ICU.
“One of the best moments of our NICU trip was being able to hold all five of my babies for the first time,” Stephanie said, adding that “it was so emotional to finally be able to hold them. arms after carrying them in my belly.”
She continued: “It was a moment I will always cherish.” “I am so grateful to the NICU nursing team for giving me this experience.
Many individuals sent prayers for our family and for us during our ordeal and NICU stay. As a family of seven, we are incredibly appreciative that so many of our prayers have been answered and look forward to making new memories.
All the adorable babies who were welcomed into the world in June 2023 are doing well. We hope they have a long and happy life.
Stephanie and Graham Freels’ journey to parenthood has been a testament to resilience, faith, and unpredictable twists and turns. Their dream of starting a family was full of challenges, from Stephanie’s health problems to the incredible surprise of conceiving quintuplets. Their story unfolded in a miraculous and unexpected way, drawing on their unwavering faith in a higher power and the support of doctors.
The arrival of Adelyn, Eliana, Linnea, Fisher, and Harper, affectionately known as the “Freels Five”, was nothing short of a miracle. From the moment of Stephanie’s positive pregnancy test to the emotional days spent in the ICU, their story resonated with hope and determination. The Freels family’s journey has touched the hearts of many, inspiring prayers and support from countless individuals.
While the journey to welcoming their five bundles of joy was filled with challenges and uncertainty, the Freel family’s resilience shined through. Despite the odds stacked against them, they found strength in each other, the dedicated medical teams, and the outpouring of support from well-wishers.
As they embrace their newfound roles as parents to five beautiful babies, the story of the Freels family is a testament to the strength of faith, perseverance, and the incredible journey that defines the miracle of life. May Adelyn, Eliana, Linnea, Fisher, and Harper Freels grow and prosper and fill their home with love, joy, and countless precious memories.