New York Couple Welcomes 'Extremely Rare' Quintuplets in Buffalo
A couple from Buffalo, New York, experienced a moment of sheer panic and disbelief when they learned they were expecting quintuplets, a naturally occurring pregnancy so rare it happens in approximately one in 55 million cases. This extraordinary event marks only the second recorded instance of quintuplets being born in Buffalo's history, according to medical authorities.
Initial Shock and Overwhelming Support
Jessica and John Lottbrein were left utterly stunned by the news. "First finding out, I had a full blown panic attack—and I think John also went into a state of shock, too," Jessica recounted in an interview with WBNS. "But when I was panicking, saying, 'What are we going to do?' He was like, 'We'll figure it out.'" The couple's reaction highlights the immense emotional and logistical challenges posed by such a high-risk, multiple pregnancy.
Medical Rarity and Collaborative Preparation
Doctors at Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo confirmed the exceptional nature of this birth. "It's extremely rare," stated Valerie Elberson, associate medical director of the NICU. "The numbers I have seen are one in 15 in a year in all of the world, and in Buffalo we've only had it happen one other time." Given the significant risks associated with quintuplet pregnancies, a multidisciplinary team from the Maternal Fetal Medicine Center and Golisano Children's Hospital began extensive preparations early on.
"It was a very collaborative approach," Elberson explained. "There were probably around 30 people in all specialties, including obstetrics, the NICU, nursing, pharmacy, respiratory therapy, so several groups within our hospital that were there to help in just the planning stage of this." This coordinated effort was crucial to managing potential complications and ensuring the best possible outcome for both mother and babies.
The Birth and Neonatal Care
Following medical advice to maintain normality, Jessica focused on spending time with her daughters. In mid-December, her waters broke, prompting a large team of medical staff to assemble in the early hours for the delivery. "I was wheeled right in right before 2 [a.m.]. Mason was out at 2:03, and Connor was out by 2:11," Jessica described. "It was so incredibly fast. It went, for the most part, as smoothly as I remember."
The quintuplets—Holly, Mason, Stefan, Connor, and Layla—were born at 28 weeks and five days, or approximately seven months gestation. Each infant weighed under 3 pounds and was immediately transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The siblings have remained together in the NICU ever since, where they have been putting on weight and thriving, as shown in recent video footage.
Family Resilience and Community Support
Jessica emphasized the importance of the Level IV NICU at Golisano Children's Hospital in their decision-making process. "The Level IV NICU was the reason we chose Golisano," she said. "Being the only one in western New York, we wanted all the babies to stay together." This facility provides the highest level of care for premature and critically ill newborns, offering the family peace of mind during a challenging time.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support the couple, raising over $9,000 towards an $11,000 goal. Reflecting on their unexpected journey, Jessica shared, "That's what we said. It's like, well, someone wanted us to have five babies. This was not IVF, I did not implant five embryos. It wasn't the goal to try for multiples. When it happened, it was like fate. We're meant to be the parents to quintuplets, I guess."
Medical staff have confirmed that all five babies are in good health and are expected to "graduate" from the NICU in a few weeks, bringing hope and joy to the Lottbrein family as they navigate this rare and remarkable chapter of their lives.
