Pennsylvania Mother Delivers Quintuplets at Banner Good Samaritan

Expectant mothers look to John Elliott, M.D., and hospital for multiples expertise Contact: Bill Byron Craig Fischer Karrie Spitzer Phone:(602) 239-4411 Pager:(602) 250-0383

Rebecca Wilson kisses one of her newly-born quintuplets. View more photos of the babies.

PHOENIX (July 24, 2003) – When Rebecca Wilson and husband Robert discovered they would become the parents of quintuplets, their doctor directed them to Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center and perinatologist John Elliott, M.D., both in Phoenix, Ariz. Here, the Wilsons would receive proven expertise in the care of mothers expecting high-order multiples and the delivery of those babies.

 

This morning between 10:15 a.m. and 10:23 a.m., that advice paid off when the Wilsons of Cresco, Pa., counted 50 toes and 50 fingers moments after the birth of their quintuplets at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center. Under the care of Dr. Elliott, the babies were born after a 34-week, 3-day gestation. The average pregnancy for quadruplets at Banner Good Samaritan is 32 weeks, at least two-and-a-half weeks beyond the national average of 29 1/2 weeks.*

 

The total birthweight of 21 lbs, 1.2 oz is believed to be a U.S. record for quintuplets, Dr. Elliott said.

 

Dr. Elliott, medical director of maternal/fetal medicine at Banner Good Samaritan, and his colleagues at Phoenix Perinatal Associates and the nursing staffs at Banner Good Samaritan and Phoenix Childrens Hospital have developed a national reputation for their care and management of women delivering major-order multiples (triplets or more).

 

Starting with initial care from a qualified perinatalogist specializing in high-risk obstetrics and continuing through bed rest on the hospital's obstetrical unit, every nuance of the mother's and children's condition is monitored and treated. "These mothers exhibit labor symptoms early into the pregnancy, often before the babies are viable," Dr. Elliott said. "We use a variety of techniques, medications and therapies to help keep the babies in the womb until they are ready to be born.

"Additionally, we can recognize and treat several pre-term labor problems, such as gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia. Only when the babies are ready to be born, will we take mom to the delivery room."

 

In May 2000, Dr. Elliott presented findings on how prolonged pregnancies involving major order multiples can significantly improve neonatal health and reduce the cost of delivery and perinatal care. These findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

 

"As high order multiples become more common, physicians are beginning to have a greater understanding of how to care for mom," Dr. Elliott said. "Of course, the extended time in the womb is critical in the development of the babies."

 

Banner Good Samaritan has now delivered two set of quintuplets and 63 sets of quadruplets since 1986 (and more than 333 sets of triplets overall). More than half of the quadruplets delivered at Banner Good Samaritan originated in another state. Banner Good Samaritan is also a national referral center for many other kinds of high-risk obstetrical cases.

 

The Wilson quintuplets are the fourth set of quadruplets or higher from the northeastern United States born at Banner Good Samaritan in the past year. It is likely that more sets of quadruplets have been delivered at Banner Good Samaritan than anywhere in the country and presumably in the world.

 

"These nationwide referrals say a lot for the reputation of perinatal and neonatal care provided by Banner Good Samaritan and Phoenix Children's Hospital, and the physicians at Phoenix Perinatal Associates," said Dr. Elliott. "We feel we have been very privileged to care for a number of mothers expecting triplets, quadruplets and, like today, quintuplets."

 

The Banner Good Samaritan Maternal/Fetal Medicine program has been featured on several national television documentaries, including CBS's 48 Hours, TLC's Maternity Ward, and Discovery Health's Special Delivery and Birth Day, including a one-hour primetime special on quadruplet births in 2001.

 

Following delivery at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, all five babies are being cared for at Phoenix Children's Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery, located inside Banner Good Samaritan. Observation and care in the nursery is typical in cases of high-order multiple births.

 

Individuals wishing to donate funds to the family may do so at any Bank One branch, care of: Robert and Rebecca Wilson Fund.

 

Banner Good Samaritan is Arizona's largest and busiest medical center. Located in downtown Phoenix, Banner Good Samaritan has been providing medical care since 1911. Today, nearly 1,700 physicians representing nearly 50 specialties work with Banner Good Samaritan staff to provide care to more than 34,000 inpatients a year.

 

*Thirty-eight to 40 weeks is considered full-term in a singleton pregnancy