In a single momentous delivery, Graham and Stephanie Freels have embraced parenthood in a quintessential way, welcoming not one, but five new members into their family fold.
The 27-year-old Stephanie Freels gave birth on June 4th to an extraordinary set of quintuplets, comprised of four daughters and a lone son, all brought into the world via an emergency cesarean section.
This past weekend marked a joyous homecoming for the Freels family of seven, as Stephanie, her husband Graham, and their five precious infants made their debut in their Washington state residence.
“The presence of our newborns at home is an incredible blessing,” Stephanie Freels shared with “Good Morning America.” She expressed relief at not having to endure the back-and-forth trips to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) any longer.
Dubbed the “Freels Five,” these quintuplets have emerged as an unexpected blessing, surprising Stephanie and Graham after their five-year-long struggle with infertility.
The couple’s arduous journey culminated with the revelation in late December that Stephanie was pregnant, following cycles of ovulation induction and multiple rounds of intrauterine insemination (IUI).
The initial days of the New Year brought an even more startling revelation—the Freels family was soon to transform into a septet as they anticipated the arrival of not one, but five infants.
This unforeseen development quickly upended the couple’s plans to move from Stephanie’s parents’ home into their independent apartment.
“We had already decided to leave her parents’ house by the beginning of December. We had signed a lease for a small apartment,” Graham Freels recounted during an interview with “GMA,” explaining the subsequent lease cancellation. He humorously recalled informing their prospective landlord, “We’re on the brink of welcoming a substantial number of children, and the apartment might no longer accommodate our needs.”
The quintuplet pregnancy‘s ripple effects extended to their residence, prompting the Freels to seek medical expertise in Phoenix, Arizona, renowned for handling higher order multiple pregnancies.
In March, the Freels temporarily relocated to Phoenix under the care of Dr. John Elliott, a specialist in maternal and fetal medicine. Elliott’s guidance empowered them with a positive outlook despite the challenges of raising quintuplets simultaneously.
Graham Freels managed his full-time job remotely from Phoenix, while Stephanie Freels devoted herself to the demands of her quintuplet pregnancy. This feat was achieved despite her grappling with hyperemesis gravidarum, an ailment characterized by severe, persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
“The most daunting part of my pregnancy was undoubtedly managing to meet the required [caloric] intake,” Stephanie Freels disclosed. She revealed, “It wasn’t until I reached my 23rd week of pregnancy that I managed to consistently consume solid foods.”
Medical advisors set a goal of sustaining the pregnancy until at least the 34th week. However, in early June, when Stephanie Freels was in her 27th week, she was admitted to the hospital due to abnormal pain and swelling—an indication of impending labor.
Upon hospitalization, Stephanie Freels discovered she was already six centimeters dilated and in active labor.
Andrea Hassler, the nursing director of women and infant services at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital, the venue of Stephanie’s delivery, recounted the urgency of the situation. Hassler informed “GMA” that the medical team had a mere hour in the dead of night to orchestrate the complex delivery.
The Freels family reached the hospital at around 10 p.m., and within three hours, the quintuplets were born. The delivery room buzzed with a multitude of professionals, each baby commanding its own team of caregivers. Simultaneously, Stephanie was attended to by her dedicated obstetrical team.
Adelyn, Eliana, Linnea, Fisher, and Harper, the five newest members of the Freels family, entered the world weighing approximately 2 pounds each, Hassler reported. While their initial weeks were spent in the neonatal intensive care unit, their medical trajectory post-premature birth remained relatively uncomplicated.
“As anticipated, the newborns required respiratory assistance initially,” Hassler explained. “Subsequently, the focus shifted toward nurturing these infants outside the womb, guiding their growth into the robust infants they are today.”
Fisher, the sole male among the quintuplets, emerged as the last to leave the NICU, finally departing for home on August 19.
Graham Freels provided a glimpse into the daily rhythm of the household. Over the past two weeks of having most of the quintuplets at home, the Freels have diligently managed over 250 diapers—a testament to their unwavering dedication.
Distinguishing the quintuplets comes with ease, as they are fraternal rather than identical.
Now comfortably resettled in Washington, the “Freels Five” have rekindled the familial warmth of Stephanie’s parents’ home. With ample helping hands, the family is navigating the challenges of caring for quintuplets.
The Freels couple expressed profound gratitude for the support they have received from family, friends, and even strangers. Monetary contributions, prepared meals, and well-wishes from various quarters have made their journey more manageable.
The couple reserved special commendation for the medical personnel who have stood by them throughout this remarkable journey. Graham Freels lauded their dedication, noting, “The medical staff are exceptional individuals. They not only attend to our infants’ needs but exhibit the same level of care for every baby under their watch. Their contributions are nothing short of extraordinary.”
