Quads surprise for parents

Emma and Michael Wing from Plymouth, who already have two sons, aged three and 10 months, said they were shocked to discover the happy news.

Despite the risks, they have refused "selective reduction" to remove one or more of the foetuses to increase the chances of survival for the others.

"We weren't actually trying for a baby but didn't mind if one came along," Mr Wing said.

Mrs Wing has not had any fertility treatment

Mr Wing said: "There is a one in 700,000 chance of having quads - we should have played the lottery instead."

The 22-year-old gunner with 29 Commando, Royal Artillery, said although carrying four babies would be difficult for his wife, the reduction procedure could result in a total miscarriage.

Mrs Wing, 23, admitted she was expecting a difficult pregnancy, but wanted to "let nature take its course".

At 12 weeks pregnant she has already been experiencing severe morning sickness, headaches and stomach pains.

Caesarian section

"It was quite scary to find out that I was expecting quads," she said.

"We never dreamed in a million years this would happen.

"I'll probably be bedridden by the end because I am quite slim and small and it would be too much strain for me to carry."

The organisation MOST, Mothers of Super Twins, said spontaneous conception of quadruplets was extremely rare.

The girls were conceived naturally.

Another ultrasound scan next week should reveal if the quads are identical or from separate eggs.

The chances of having naturally-conceived identical quadruplets is one in 13 million.

Mr Wing said it was a worrying time because if the placenta was shared, there would be a higher risk of conditions such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy and Down's syndrome.

If Mrs Wing carries the babies until 34 weeks, they will be delivered by Caesarian section.

The normal gestation for a single baby is 40 weeks.

Source : BBC Health News