More than a month old, Meyers babies are growing strong

Published on Monday, August 12, 2024

By: Annie Oeth, aoeth@umc.edu

Photos By: Melanie Thortis/ UMMC Communications

On a recent afternoon at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Ashley Meyers rocked a miracle, daughter Nova Mae, the fifth of her family’s quintuplets.

“We are so blessed,” Meyers said. “We’ve had good days and bad days, but they are doing so well. They’ve been showing out ever since they got here.”

The babies, born July 5 to Ashley and husband Tyler Meyers, have been growing inside the neonatal intensive care unit at Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants at UMMC. Once they’re ready, the babies will be moved to the Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower at Children’s of Mississippi for the rest of their hospital stay.

Franklin Walker was born first at 1:23 p.m., weighing 1 pound, 14.7 ounces, and 13.6 inches long. Then came Carter James at 1:26 p.m., weighing 2 pounds, 0.8 ounces, and 14.6 inches long. Saylor Kate was the first of the girls, born at 1:28 p.m., weighing 1 pound, 11.9 ounces, and 13.8 inches long. Allie Ray was born at 1:30 p.m., weighing 1 pound, 12.6 ounces, and 12.99 inches long. Nova Mae was born fifth at 1:31 p.m. at 1 pound, 13.6 ounces and 13.8 inches long.

Franklin now weighs 3 pounds, 4.3 ounces. Carter, who is still on a vent to help his lungs grow stronger, is 3 pounds, 4 ounces. Nova Mae weighs 3 pounds, 1.3 ounces, and her sisters Allie Ray and Saylor Kate weigh 2 pounds, 11 ounces, and 2 pounds, 10.3 ounces, respectively.

"Each of them is making a good progress in overcoming their respective NICU challenges, demonstrating resilience and steady advancement,” said Dr. Sumana Ramarao, associate professor and associate program director of UMMC’s Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship Program. “It's remarkable to observe the unique behaviors emerging in each of them as they continue to develop."

Dr. Rachael Morris, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and Meyers’ obstetrician, said Ashley has recovered well.

A team of experts at UMMC including about 30 specialists in neonatology and neonatal nursing in addition to specialists in obstetrics, hematology, respiratory therapy, anesthesiology and surgery were on hand for the babies’ birth. Neonatal, neonatal nursing, respiratory therapy, pulmonology and nutrition experts are part of the babies’ continuing care.

“I can’t say enough about the care the babies are getting,” Meyers said. “We have such an amazing team watching over them.”

While the babies are growing in the NICU, Ashley divides her time between seeing them in Jackson and being at home with daughters Paisleigh, 3, and Westlynn, 2.

“I was crying while driving to see the babies because I was leaving two babies at home,” she said, “and I want to cry when I leave them to go back home to their sisters. Our main goal is to get all seven of our babies under the same roof and be able to snuggle with every single one of them.”