When the Lamb sextuplets were born by C-section on May 14 at just 26 weeks, their survival was far from certain.
The odds of conceiving sextuplets are estimated at more than four million to one, and at birth, each baby was so tiny they could fit into the palms of cupped hands. The premature sextuplets — four girls and two boys — weighed between 1lb 5oz and 1lb 15oz.
Vicky and her husband Andy, 31, a former soldier, prayed for a “small miracle” as their newborns fought for their lives in the neonatal intensive care unit at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Tragically, Matthew, the fourth-born, passed away within two weeks due to a brain bleed.
Then, in July, Pippa, the smallest of the sextuplets, died from necrotizing enterocolitis, a life-threatening condition in premature infants where immature intestines become inflamed and cannot absorb nutrients properly.
The surviving four also faced major health challenges. Ellen and Rose underwent heart surgeries to close ducts in their hearts, while Layla was born with a hole in her esophagus, requiring additional surgery planned for later this year. There were times when Vicky and Andy feared they might never take their remaining children home.
Yet, the miracle they prayed for finally came.
Today, the Lamb foursome are thriving. They beam with heartwarming smiles as their parents dote on them, now weighing between 10lb 6oz and 12lb 2oz. The babies are teething, hitting developmental milestones, and growing stronger every week.
For Vicky and Andy — who also have a six-year-old daughter, Grace — every day brings relief and joy as they watch their children’s personalities emerge. Though they will always remember Matthew and Pippa, the couple feels endlessly grateful for the four little miracles who survived against all odds.
