May 17, 2007 11:45 pm US/Central
Quick 6: Mpls. Woman Expecting Sextuplets
by Jeanette Trompeter
(WCCO)
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The expectant parents from Minneapolis prayed and hoped for children. Now they are dealing with having their prayers answered, in a big way.
WCCO
A Minnesota couple is getting nationwide attention because they're pregnant. Of course there's a little more to the story than that.
The expectant parents from Minneapolis prayed and hoped for children. Now they are dealing with having their prayers answered, in a big way.
Ryan and Brianna Morrison were eager to become parents. After trying for more than a year, Brianna went on fertility drugs.
"I thought I was growing fast for only being six weeks along, but I had never had kids before," remembers Brianna.
What they weren't prepared for was what happened at the first ultrasound.
"When Brianna started crying I was like, did you just say five? And then she said 'found another one,'" recalls Ryan.
Six, all claiming space in Brianna's belly. No longer in shock, the Morrisons have grown comfortable with the idea of having six babies.
Brianna's only about 19 weeks along, but she can already feel what's growing inside. She can describe where all the babies are lined up inside her. Three near her pelvis and three lined up above.
It's a very high-risk pregnancy, which is why the Morrisons went to Abbott Northwestern. Brianna's on hospital bed rest. Ryan has moved in too, sleeping on an inflatable mattress in Brianna's hospital room, and showering in the attached bathroom.
"I go straight from here to work, and work to here, so when I come in and see the nurses, I'm like 'Hi, I'm home,'" Ryan chuckled.
Couples in their situation have the option of what's called selective reduction. Doctors reduce the number of fetuses to give the others better odds. For Ryan and Brianna, that wasn't an option.
"For us, there's no difference between a fetus that's undeveloped and a baby," said Ryan.
"Because it's life and God gives life and it's not up to us to decide to take it away," added Brianna.
Tuesday was a big day for the Morrisons. It was Brianna's second ultrasound.
Ryan and Brianna are optimistic and nervous. The news is good. Ryan breathes a sigh of relief as the doctor tells them that each fetus seems to be growing like they should and appear healthy.
It also appears there are four boys and two girls, each weighing about 10 ounces and 9 or 10 inches long. They should weigh around a pound each in three weeks.
Brianna's full-term due date is Oct. 8. Everyone hopes she can make it until July 30.
It's not the way these eager parents would have planned things but it's exactly how they believe it was meant to happen. They view their multiple pregnancy now, not as an accident, nor a mistake. They see it as a miracle.
"It's hard not to worry, it's hard and every day we need to trust the Lord, that he is at work," said Brianna.
"He wasn't surprised by this. We were. He's got it. He's got it taken care of," Ryan added.
They are about 10-and-a-half weeks to the goal date. Brianna's job now is to rest and eat at least 4,000 calories a day. Her doctors want her to put on 70 pounds by week 26. They are both upbeat and Brianna says she's feeling great and keeping the faith.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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