West Lothian has made history with the birth of its first recorded quadruplets — four baby boys born from a naturally conceived pregnancy. Arlene and John Mitchell welcomed their sons, Ben, Noah, Harrison, and Rory, via planned Caesarean section on May 14. Arriving nine weeks early and weighing under three pounds each, the babies are now receiving specialist neonatal care and continuing to make steady progress. Spontaneous quadruplet pregnancies are extraordinarily rare, estimated to occur in just one out of every 700,000 births.
The couple, already parents to two children, describe the moment they learned they were expecting four babies as unforgettable. What began as a routine ultrasound quickly turned into shock and disbelief as doctors confirmed not one, not two — but four heartbeats. Due to the high-risk nature of the pregnancy, Arlene was closely monitored throughout. On delivery day, a team of 17 medical professionals assembled to ensure each baby received immediate, dedicated care — a milestone moment for NHS Lothian staff.
Though the road ahead will be busy and demanding, the Mitchell family says they are overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement.
“Our home will definitely be louder,” Arlene shared, “but we can’t wait to bring all four of our boys home.”
A rare birth. A historic first. And the beginning of a remarkable new chapter for one growing family. 💙👶👶👶👶