Our miracles!

THE birth of identical quadruplets Jessica, Holly, Georgina and Ellie has been hailed a "miracle".

The babies from Upper Caldecote are now home with their parents Julie and Jose Carles after beating odds of 64 million to one.

The Carles quad, as they are known, are extra special because they are naturally conceived identical quads.

Mum Julie, 37, said: "These are my first babies and my last! They say mature mums are more likely to have multiple births. There isn't a history of multiple births in my family so when we found out it was a shock."

The girls were all born prematurely. Jessica weighed 1lb 9oz, Holly weighed 2lb, Georgina 2lb 6oz and Ellie 2lb 7oz.

Jessica was so small she was able to lie in the palm of the surgeon's hand.

The babies, who were born in March, were transferred from The Queen Charlotte hospital to Lister at two weeks old, where they stayed in intensive care.

Julie's was a high risk pregnancy but because it was her first she said she didn't know any different.

The pregnancy and births were filmed for a Channel Five documentary which Mrs Carles described as intrusive but worthwhile.

Julie and Jose, 33, who works in Sandy, are being helped out by volunteers and Julie's mother Frances Kay.

The proud grandmother said the quads are keeping the family busy.

She said: "The babies are our little miracles. They are settling in well and growing out of their first size clothes.

"They have been out in their twin buggies and in the car and seem very relaxed babies - except as feeding time draws near.

"Julie and Jose are coping very well and are organised - they would perhaps admit to looking forward to a good night's sleep some time in the future.