A lullaby chiming through the hallways at VCU Medical Center and CHoR is usually followed by exclamations of, “aw, a baby!” The morning of May 11, 2017, the lullaby played six times in a row, which meant one thing. The Taiwo sextuplets had arrived!
Preparing for six preemies was equal parts logistics and heart
Adeboye and Ajibola Taiwo had tried to conceive for 17 years before learning they were expecting sextuplets. As they prepared to welcome six new little ones to their family, their medical teams planned and practiced as well. From maternal-fetal medicine caring for Mrs. Taiwo as her body supported her growing babies, to labor and delivery anticipating the first set of sextuplets ever at VCU Medical Center, and our Level 4 NICU preparing for six preemies simultaneously – it was a collaborative effort like none other.
With the help of a 40-person team, the babies – three boys and three girls – were born at weights ranging from 1 pound, 10 ounces to 2 pounds, 15 ounces and required expert care from our NICU team.
“It was pretty amazing, the kind of coordination required to have teams for six different patients. We worked on this for weeks ahead of time and it was really wonderful to watch it come through,” said Dr. Russell Moores, NICU medical director.
Welcoming the Taiwo family back to the CHoR NICU
Today, the Taiwo siblings are thriving 8-year-olds, keeping their parents as busy as ever. The family recently stopped by the NICU to reunite with the team that helped them start their lives as a healthy, happy family of eight.
“It’s fun to see them this old and doing so well. I can’t imagine having six kids at home of the same age, but the family seems to be doing great,” added Dr. Moores at the reunion.
For nurses Julie Buttermore and Jamie Burton, seeing, celebrating and reuniting with their former patients was a moving experience that brought back memories of a lifetime.
“The delivery was meticulously planned, and being there for such a significant moment was both incredibly exciting and deeply emotional,” said Julie, now an assistant nurse manager in the NICU. “I was the primary nurse for the fifth sextuplet (Setemi). It was an amazing experience to participate in the delivery, then continue caring for the baby and supporting the family as he grew stronger and eventually went home with his brothers and sisters. Seeing him again 8 years later was truly gratifying and a powerful reminder of why I love my job. Being able to talk with him, his parents and his siblings made all the hard days worth it.”
Jamie took care of “baby number four,” Funbi, and came in on her day off to see how far her sweet patient has come.
“It was such an honor to be part of the preparation for the sextuplets and then to be with Funbi for her entire journey in the delivery room to admitting her in the NICU and becoming her primary nurse during her stay in the NICU. I created such a lasting bond with this family that will be cherished forever,” said Jamie. “I was so excited to hear they were coming back to the NICU for a reunion 8 years later. I was so excited to see them and mom and dad. They looked amazing and are thriving! The joy on their faces made me so proud to be a NICU nurse.”
The babies were in the best hands at our nationally ranked Level 4 NICU at CHoR. Find out more.
