Many people believe that married couples are inevitably going to have children, but for many, this is not the case.
But among the lucky ones were Courtney and Eric Waldrop. With the aid of reproductive procedures, they eventually became parents to three gorgeous boys following devastating miscarriages.
However, something happened that would rock their world in ways they could never have predicted, just when they believed their family’s tale was one of victory.
The love story of Albertville, Alabama, couple Courtney and Eric Waldrop started long before they exchanged vows in 2004. They clicked right away when they first met in middle school. They understood early on that they desired a large family.
However, as everyone with a dream will tell you, the path to realizing that desire isn’t always as straightforward as it first appears.
It took nearly five years for Courtney and Eric to welcome Saylor, their first son. They were aware that they desired additional kids, but they immediately encountered devastating obstacles. The family was crushed by each of Courtney’s several miscarriages.
They persisted, nevertheless. Their wishes were realized in January 2012, four years after Saylor’s birth, when they welcomed Wales and Bridge, twin boys, into the world. After suffering the heartbreak of losing multiple pregnancies, this time with the aid of fertility medications. Doctors also learned that Courtney had a clotting condition around this time, which made subsequent pregnancies more difficult.
Nevertheless, they were determined to expand their family even further.
Eric was very clear that he didn’t want multiples when they made the decision to try for a fourth kid. However, life had other ideas, as it usually does.
Following yet another miscarriage, Courtney was administered a low-dose fertility medication to lower her risk of becoming pregnant with more than one fetus.
“I wasn’t on a very high dosage at all,” Courtney explained.
Then came the moment that changed everything. A positive pregnancy test led to a routine ultrasound, where they got the shock of their lives.
As the nurse looked at the screen, her face drained of color.
“It’s six,” she said quietly, as Eric could only stare in disbelief.
“I literally almost passed out,” he recalled.
The odds of getting pregnant with sextuplets on the medication Courtney was taking were one in five million. And yet, against all odds, that’s exactly what happened.
The majority of people believe that we implanted six embryos in vitro, however this is untrue. All that was prescribed was an oral drug that promotes ovulation.
Doctors suggested that Courtney and Eric think about selective reduction, a technique that lowers the number of fetuses to increase the chances of survival for the remaining ones, because having six babies has enormous dangers.
It was unthinkable that they would lose any of their children, and Courtney, overcome with sorrow, started crying.
She claimed that her only concern was how she would be able to support her three young boys while carrying six babies without suffering any harm.
The Waldrops made a choice that would alter everything in the midst of such uncertainty. Despite the serious hazards, they decided against reducing the pregnancy.
Courtney remarked, “It was like a weight lifted off our shoulders.” “I hadn’t been happy since learning about the pregnancy until that moment.”
Their family of five grew by six on December 11, 2017.
Three gorgeous baby girls, Rivers, Rayne, and Rawlings, as well as three adorable baby boys, Blu, Tag, and Layke, were brought into the world by Courtney and Eric. Their heads were filled with worry, but their hearts were full with happiness. Due to their early birth—before 30 weeks of pregnancy—the sextuplets and Courtney were at serious danger of problems.
“I was terrified,” Courtney said.
Being a smaller-framed girl, my initial concern was how I would manage to bring six children here without endangering myself or them. A great deal of terror was present. We were unsure of what to think or do.
Their confidence in God remained unwavering in spite of their anxieties.
Regarding selective reduction, Courtney clarified, “We never would have thought we would have considered that.” However, given the dangers, no clinician could minimize the potential outcomes. Both the babies and I are at significant risk. Even though we were aware that the hazards remained, those anxieties vanished from us when we let go and gave everything to [God].
In an attempt to prevent early labor, Courtney was put on bed rest by November 2017 at 24 weeks. After 14 years of teaching first grade, Courtney’s belly started to grow, making it hard for her to continue her career.
She was in the hospital by Thanksgiving, and the doctors were getting ready for the sextuplets to arrive.
After Courtney’s water broke, the babies were finally delivered via cesarean surgery at 29 weeks and 6 days. She needed a blood transfusion because she lost a lot of blood. Despite the odds, all six infants did well and were delivered weighing little more than two pounds each.
The Waldrop family received their miracle after almost two months in the NICU, but the road was far from over. Two of the newborn girls, Rivers and Rawlings, were the first to return home on February 3. Rayne arrived on February 17.
And on February 23, Bridge, Wales, and Saylor, the six newborns’ older brothers, welcomed them home.
Naturally, things were busy for the family in the beginning. “There were days when we were barely surviving but too busy to realize it,” Courtney thought. Every day, we fed 100 bottles and changed 100 diapers. It was exhausting at the time, but now when I think about it, I miss it. Even for a short time, I would really like to return and take it all in.
When the Waldrop sextuplets reach the age of seven in 2025, they appear to be doing just as well as any other seven-year-old. Their amazing story continues to inspire others, and their house is still a happy place. With almost 700,000 Instagram followers, their mother Courtney has gained some renown as an influencer and frequently posts peeks of their daily lives.
Courtney recently shared a post about the sextuplets’ birthday celebration, highlighting the difficulties that preceded the event:
“I wasn’t sure if we would ever have a party at the rate we were going. But you finally make it happen when six little children ask you 60 times a day when their party is going to be!
Their first celebration took place on the day my father died. During our phone conversation that morning, I assured my father that we would see him as soon as the celebration was done. 😔 Without a doubt, he would have wanted us to organize their birthday celebration. When we did, the Six had a great time 🎉🎉🎉.
Love, laughter, and a poignant reminder of their progress were all part of their celebration. The Waldrop family has learned to keep going forward and cherish each time spent together in spite of everything.
The journey taken by the Waldrop family is quite remarkable. They have demonstrated what true love and tenacity look like, from the difficult infertile years to the miracle of having six children. They have remained united and managed to make it work despite all the difficulties.
Their house is now a hive of love, laughter, and the mayhem that accompanies having a large family. Their story serves as a lovely reminder that the greatest moments in life frequently arise from the unexpected, regardless of how difficult things get.
