Gilbert couple welcomes quadruplets at Phoenix hospital following complex delivery

PHOENIX — The Crandell family in Gilbert has grown by four after recently welcoming quadruplets at a Valley hospital and the babies are finally at home after spending 10 weeks in a nursery intensive care unit following a complex delivery.

“We are so blessed to add four little miracles to our family,” Ashley Crandell, the quadruplets’ mother, said in a press release.

Wesley, Emma, Leah and Nora were born at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix on Feb. 11 and spent the next 70 days under the care of the hospital’s staff.

Quadruplets are an extremely rare occurrence as there were only 108 recorded out of the 3.6 million births in the United States in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the hospital said the pregnancy can be taxing on both the mother and babies.

The hospital said the quadruplets were born nine weeks early, with three of the babies weighing just over three pounds while the fourth weighed hardly two pounds.

“St. Joseph’s is home to a world-renowned NyICU that is skilled and prepared to care for some of the most fragile babies, including high-number multiples,” Dr. Mohammad Elkhwad, medical director of St. Joseph’s NyICU, said in the release.

“Families expecting quadruplets or quintuplets often travel from all over the country to deliver their babies at St. Joseph’s, and receive world-class care for their newborns. This time, we were lucky enough to care for a family who resides in our own backyard.”

The quadruplets gained strength under the care of hospital staff, with Ashley and father Lance coming from Gilbert to Phoenix frequently to celebrate each milestone.

The babies were first weaned off oxygen tanks before starting to take a bottle and leading up to Ashley holding all her babies at the same time, the hospital said.

“Holding them all in my arms together was literally the best feeling in the world,” Crandell said. “The nurses made magic happen that day and there are no words to describe what it felt like to have all four of them with me again.”

The babies are now home with their parents and big sister, Isla.

“We are grateful to finally have all of our children under one roof, and watch Isla be the best big sister to her little brother and sisters,” Lance said.

“We are so excited to watch them become their own people, and to see what the future holds for our family.”

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