It all began with fertility challenges, and when they became pregnant with twins, it sadly ended in miscarriages, leaving the couple deeply disappointed. They experienced more miscarriages after that. Chad and Amy Kempel eventually welcomed two healthy children into their family, but their desire for more kids persisted. Finally, Amy became pregnant again, and this time, they were in for a surprise – they were expecting not just a few more children but five all at once. This extraordinary pregnancy was achieved through intrauterine insemination, a process that involves inserting sperm into a woman’s uterus near her eggs. While doctors had warned them about the possibility of twins or triplets, they were utterly shocked to hear five heartbeats during an early ultrasound.
Chad recalled the moment, saying, “The ultrasound lit up like the 4th of July with heartbeats just all over the place. The doctor just goes, ‘Okay, so, here we go. Baby A, Baby B.’ We’re squeezing each other’s hands, and I don’t think there’s any words said at that point.” Amy added, “After reaching Baby D, the doctor told them, ‘Wait, I think I found another one.’ He recounts, and this time, he goes up to E.”
Chad further explained, “At that point, Amy’s hysterical, crying. And I’m devastated – we knew that that kind of pregnancy usually doesn’t last. You’re going to lose them.” Despite doctors urging them to consider selective reduction to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy, the Kempels refused, not wanting to abort any of the fetuses, healthy or not.
The next five months were a whirlwind of doctor’s visits and consultations with specialists, all aimed at ensuring the five children would be born healthy. On January 11, 2018, at 27 weeks and 3 days, Amy gave birth to three boys and two girls – Lincoln, Noelle, Grayson, Preston, and Gabriella. All the babies appeared healthy, and they spent up to 73 days in the NICU before coming home.
verwhelmed by mixed emotions about the challenges ahead. She wondered how they would care for seven children, all three years old and under. Their financial situation was tight, with Chad working remotely and a weekly trip to the grocery store costing hundreds of dollars.
To make their lives easier, Chad came up with seven creative parenting hacks for parents with a lot of babies. These included a prop feeding system, a table with built-in high chairs, and a retrofitted van with a changing table. He shared his inventions on YouTube, calling them “Quint Hacks.”
Chad reflected on their journey, saying, “It’s awesome. I was terrified of having all of these kids, but having them here, healthy and happy now. It’s amazing.”
