After losing four children, a devastated woman gave birth to naturally conceived identical quadruplets. The four babies recently celebrated their second birthday.
Pediatric nurse, 34-year-old Karissa Vancamp-Smith, and her 32-year-old husband Dillon live in Phelps, New York. Karissa became pregnant in December 2021. After experiencing three miscarriages and one infant loss, a private scan at six weeks into her pregnancy revealed to Karissa and Dillon that they were expecting quadruplets, leaving them shocked.
It wasn’t until Karissa gave birth at 29 weeks and three days that they discovered the quadruplets were monoamniotic babies.
“The pregnancy was smooth, but after developing pre-eclampsia, medical staff decided on an early delivery,” the mother said. “After experiencing multiple miscarriages before, I knew I couldn’t cope with another loss. Finding out we were expecting quadruplets was a big shock, but it almost felt like fate.”
The four babies, Zackariah Dever at 2 pounds 15 ounces, Lincoln Jesse at 2 pounds 6 ounces, Ian Shane at 2 pounds 6 ounces, and Daniel Robert at 2 pounds, were born via C-section on June 17, 2022. They were able to go home seven weeks later.
Karissa and her husband had suffered three miscarriages and the loss of another baby within eight years, making them hesitant to try for another child.
In July 2014, the mother of six lost her first set of twins, Lucas and Ryan, due to premature birth at 20 weeks.
“Lucas was stillborn, and Ryan only lived for seven minutes, which was devastating for us,” she said. “We held a private funeral and planted a memorial tree in our garden for them.”
“Dillon and I had always wanted children, but we needed time to heal from our grief before attempting again.”
The couple, married for 10 years, was heartbroken but hopeful for a child. Four months later, they decided to try again, and Karissa immediately became pregnant. In May 2015, she gave birth to their now 8-year-old son, Tyler.
“We were overjoyed when Tyler was born healthy and happy,” she said.
In June 2017, Karissa became pregnant with twins again, but at 23 weeks and 3 days pregnant, she unexpectedly went into premature labor in November 2017. This led to the C-section birth of Elijah and Colton. Sadly, Elijah died 12 days later from necrotizing pneumonia, a rare but severe lung disease.
“There were no signs indicating I was going to give birth, but I felt something was wrong,” she said. “Colton was already in the birth canal at my hip, so I had to deliver immediately. Three days after their birth, we found out Colton had a grade four bleed in his brain, with only a 10% chance of survival, but we chose to fight for him.”
“On the 12th day, Elijah got an infection, but it was too late to save him. My heart broke.”
Six-year-old Colton spent 132 days in the hospital and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy in November 2019.
“During Colton’s first year, we were constantly in and out of the hospital as his immune system was completely compromised,” Karissa said.
“It took us some time to adjust to life with a special-needs child, but he’s our little warrior. We’re proud of him. It was during this time that I discovered my incompetent cervix, so I underwent surgery to prevent premature birth.”
Two years after Colton’s birth in August 2019, Karissa became pregnant with a baby girl, whom they named Willa Grace. Unfortunately, at 14 weeks old, Willa’s heartbeat stopped.
“We were completely shattered,” the mother said. “Having already lost four children, I couldn’t bear the pain again.”
In October 2021, Karissa found out she was expecting quadruplets.
“On the ultrasound screen, first there were two babies, then the third, and then the fourth,” she said. “We didn’t know what to say.”
At 29 weeks and three days into her quadruplet pregnancy, due to pre-eclampsia, medical staff had to deliver the babies at Strong Memorial Hospital in June 2022.
“Given my history, I made sure every ache was checked by a doctor,” Karissa said. “I was dehydrated, my blood pressure was spiking, so I had to stay in the hospital for 10 days before the babies were born. I was scared, but I tried to stay calm for my babies.”
“We didn’t know they were identical quadruplets until the doctors noticed their similarities and shared a single placenta. They were all healthy but had to remain in the hospital due to prematurity.”
Seven weeks later, the couple brought their four babies home, and in June this year, they celebrated their second birthday.
“A lot had to change,” she said. “I had to give up my full-time job, and I couldn’t sleep well at night.”
“My house is very noisy because each son has his own opinions. And I have to constantly do laundry.”
This proud mother said her 2-year-old quadruplets already have “independent personalities, although similar in many ways.”
“Tyler and Colton love being big brothers, and they adore their younger brothers,” she said.
“We prepared memorial trees for Lucas, Ryan, Elijah, and Willa Grace, preserving their memory. Although it’s hard to accept losing four children, I’m grateful to have six beautiful boys.”