SAN ANTONIO, January 25, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – It has been a week of great joy mingled with unexpected grief for a Texas couple who gave birth to two sets of twins in what doctors have called a one-in-a-million medical miracle: joy in welcoming their four little boys into the world, and grief in having to bid farewell to one of them who did not survive his first few days.
When Shontae Minor and Khristian Rohena discovered Shontae was pregnant only months after the birth of their first son, they said they were surprised but happy. However their happiness turned to amazement when they were told they were expecting quadruplets – two sets of twin boys.
Shontae's doctor, Dr. Jessica Diaz at the Institute for Women’s Health in San Antonio said the pregnancy is extremely rare – one-in-a-million – but carried multiple risks.
“Definitely this is a high-risk pregnancy. We’ve got a lot of milestones to reach one by one,” Diaz said. “The most important is getting to 24 weeks.”
Shontae related that she became pregnant without fertility treatments and despite Khristian, who is a Iraq war vet, being told by doctors he had become sterile following an accident during surgery. She noted that twins run on both sides of their family.
Shontae said that doctors suggested she abort one set of twins, but she and Khristian were determined give birth to their four sons.
“I was shocked, I couldn’t believe it,” Shontae said. “I was depressed for a while, but I was like, ‘God gave me these kids for a reason, so I’m not going to abort,’” she said.
Lauren Enriquez of Texas Right to Life said the quadruplets were born at San Antonio’s St. Luke’s Hospital on January 15 and all four of the babies were healthy.
The couple named the boys Yandel Louis, Yariel Raphael, Orion Rico and Ryan Nico.
However, in a sad epilogue to this story, it was reported yesterday that little Yandel died of an infection on January 23 at St. Luke's NICU and was buried yesterday afternoon.
Recalling his son's death, Khristian told local media at the funeral, “It's the worst thing in my life yesterday. You just think of all the things you could have done different to keep him longer.”
In an email statement sent to KENS 5-TV, the couple shared their grief, saying, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our son, Yandel. This has been the most difficult 48 hours for us. We truly appreciate everyone's continued support and privacy during this difficult time.”
A donation drive, organized by Viva Doulas, the San Antonio chapter of the Central Texas Doula Association, has been set up to aid the family. Viva Doulas is requesting contributions from the community in the form of clothing, baby care products, a breast pump, baby carriers and more.
Those wishing to contribute monetarily can do so at Wells Fargo for Shontae Minor, Account: 9767099980.
More information, and drop off contacts and locations are available on the Viva Doulas website.