Doctor Checks Ultrasound, Suggests Mom-To-Be Reduce the Number of Babies

A couple eagerly looked forward to expanding their family and couldn't wait to embrace parenthood again. Sadly, they experienced multiple miscarriages and became utterly heartbroken. Then, one day, they received a heartwarming surprise.

Nothing lasts forever. Often, when people go through prolonged periods of pain, trauma, and loss, holding onto hope might seem challenging. However, one should never forget that no matter how dark it might seem, eventually, things fall into place.

Some of the most painful and heart-rending life experiences change people in ways they never thought possible. Today's story encapsulates a similar theme and is about the power of hope, faith, love, and miracles.

CHILDHOOD SWEETHEARTS

Courtney and Eric Waldrop were not your average couple. They weren't high school or college sweethearts, but in reality, they had been smitten with each other for as long as they could remember. The lovebirds crossed paths while attending the same middle school.

Per Eric, he and Courtney had been together since eighth grade and only had eyes for each other. Courtney also confessed that it was love at first sight for them. Eric proposed while he and his sweetheart were enrolled at Auburn University.

BECOMING PARENTS

A month after their college graduation in June 2004, they tied the knot. After four years of marriage, in December 2008, the Waldrops welcomed their first child, a boy named Saylor Waldrop. Almost a year later, they decided to try for another child.

Before the run, colored smoke bombs were released in the air that revealed their babies' gender.

As the couple tried to expand their small family, Courtney went through a string of heartbreaking miscarriages, which took an emotional toll on her and Eric. During that time, she was reportedly diagnosed with a blood clot disorder.

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

Regarding her continuous struggle to conceive and the emotional trauma she endured along the way, Courtney told PEOPLE:

"It was devastating because I can get pregnant so easily, I just can't hold on to them. It was upsetting, but we had experienced it before and I knew I had a medical issue that contributed to it."

The couple from Albertville, Alabama, didn't give up and sought medical help despite the circumstances. Their efforts finally paid off, and Courtney carried her twins to full-term with the help of fertility drugs.

BLESSED WITH TWINS

In January 2012, Courtney and Eric were blessed with twin boys, Wales and Bridge Waldrop, and they became a family of five. But the couple was still not done having kids. The Waldrops said they had always envisioned having a large family. Courtney told WHNT News:

"I knew I wanted a houseful. I've always wanted a big family. I'm the only child, and I just wanted a house full of kids."

However, they said they had to rely on fertility drugs again to have another child after the twins. But this time around, Courtney was given a low dosage that she said would minimize the chance of multiple births.

A LOVELY SURPRISE

Astonishingly, Courtney and Eric found out during their ultrasound in spring 2017 that they were expecting sextuplets. The shocking revelation left them profoundly shocked and worried. Courtney recalled:

"I was scared to death. I'm a smaller framed girl, and my first thoughts were on how I was going to successfully get six kids here without something happening to them or me. There was a lot of fear. We didn't know what to do or think."

But the joyous moment was soon clouded by the possible risk of carrying six babies at once, including strokes, high blood pressure, UTIs, gestational diabetes, and placenta issues.

HAVING FAITH

The Waldrops said that the doctors suggested they opt for selective reduction, a procedure that reduces the number of fetuses to increase the chances of survival for the others. While it was a difficult decision, the couple knew what they had to do. Courtney expressed:

"Our faith in God is very strong, and we never would have thought we would have considered that."

Courtney and Eric were grateful to the doctors for telling them everything clearly, but they thought it was best to let go of their fears and rely on their faith. The Alabama woman shared:

"When we let it go and turned it all over to [God], those fears—though we know the risks are still there—were lifted from us."

After a few weeks, the doting parents had another ultrasound, and they couldn't stop gushing at the images showing their future kids' adorable fingers and toes.

A MOTHER'S WISH

On August 26, 2017, the couple and their friends held a nighttime 5K run in their closely-knit Albertville community to raise funds for the family. Before the run, colored smoke bombs were released in the air that revealed their babies' gender.

Courtney and Eric thanked their incredible community and loved ones for their support. Before welcoming her six angels in winter 2017, Courtney was asked what names she had decided for them. She responded at the time:

"I just want them to be healthy, healthy, healthy. That's all I can ask for."

WELCOMING THEIR BUNDLES OF JOY

Courtney and Eric welcomed their fraternal sextuplets (three brothers and three sisters) at 30 weeks in December 2017. In September 2018, the Waldrops featured on their hit series "Sweet Home Sextuplets," which aired on TLC for three seasons.

The family of nine continues to grow strong and loves celebrating trivial and grand moments. Per Courtney and Eric, they love winter because of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year, and also because all their nine kids have their birthdays during the winter season.

NINE MIRACLES

The couple works hard to provide for their large brood. Eric runs his own maintenance and landscaping business, while Courtney, who worked as an elementary school teacher before becoming a mom, has started her own small business selling handmade jewelry, clothing, and other accessories.

While managing a household of 11 is anything but easy, the Waldrops are thoroughly enjoying their journey and are grateful to God for being blessed with nine lovely miracles.

Indeed, miracles happen every day, and if something is taken from us, we should have faith that we will be rewarded with something better. We send our heartfelt wishes to this beautiful family, and we hope they continue to grow in love.