"We will continue to support our 11 children and help them understand the news of their brother," the parents shared in a statement.
One of the quintuplets born recently to a couple in Poland has died.
Dominika Clarke and her British husband Vince had recently welcomed two boys and three girls at University Hospital in Krakow on February 12. The quintuplets included Arianna Daisy, Elizabeth May, Evangeline Rose, Charles Patrick, and Henry James. With the birth of the five, the couple became parents of 12 children, including two other sets of twins. Their children ranged from 10 months to 12 years old in age.
Sadly one of their newborn sons, Henry, died at 3 days old. The 37-year-old mom had delivered her babies prematurely via cesarean section at 30 weeks. Soon after their birth, they had to be put on respiratory support.
A three-day-old baby boy, one of the quintuplets born recently in the University Hospital in #Kraków, southern Poland, died on Friday night.https://t.co/uKoPOnAEQ2
— TVP World (@TVPWorld_com) February 18, 2023
"It is with great sadness that we inform you that little Henry James Clarke has lost the fight for life," a hospital spokesperson, Maria Włodkowska, said in a statement to TVN24, per PEOPLE. "In these difficult times, we ask you to respect the parents' peace and privacy. We provide them with professional care and help them through this painful time."
According to doctors, the babies weighed between 710 and 1,400 grams and the others are said to be doing well currently. But the loss of their child has been absolutely crushing for the parents. "We are devastated by the death of our youngest son," said the couple in a statement. Despite the sadness, they decide to remain positive and be there for their other children. "We will continue to support our 11 children and help them understand the news of their brother Henry James. We will remember little Henry in our hearts," they said.
Quintuplets — 2 Boys, 3 Girls — Born in Poland to Mom of 7 Children, Including 2 Sets of Twins: 'Miracle' https://t.co/tFk4NTQXsB
— People (@people) February 16, 2023
The couple also thanked the hospital for the care and support they offered throughout the process. "We thank the hospital for everything it has done so far and for continuing to care for our other four children," they shared. "Our faith and trust in the entire Medical Team remain unwavering."
PEOPLE reports that according to Agence France-Presse, the hospital said the odds of conceiving quintuplets were one in 52 million. The mom-of-11 called her pregnancy a "miracle" during a press conference after she gave birth. "We were planning to have an eighth child but there turned out to be more."
Despite the heartbreak, the family is looking forward to what comes next for their big brood. "If you have a system, a calm approach and a positive attitude, then it is possible to have a really cool life with such a large bunch of children," Dominika previously said, according to the AP News.
“If you have a system, a calm approach and a positive attitude, then it is possible to have a really cool life with such a large bunch of children.”https://t.co/zdbIIakpc7
— KLBK News (@KLBKNews) February 15, 2023
References:
https://apnews.com/article/poland-krakow-health-premature-births-664606019d6c8de2471eeaa25c8f0093
https://people.com/human-interest/quintuplets-born-mom-of-seven-poland-dead-3-days-old/
https://tvn24.pl/krakow/krakow-zmarl-jeden-z-piecioraczkow-urodzonych-12-lutego-6765216
Representational Cover Image Source: Getty Images | ER Productions Limited
