Heartbroken Ohio Couple Loses 4 Babies in 2 Years, Is Blessed with Second Set of Triplets After

A couple's story of profound tragedy and heartbreak not only tested their patience but also left a permanent void in their lives. Given the unlikely circumstances, they thought their pain and trauma would never end until fate surprised them with three lovely miracles.

Crystal and Marco Milutinovic, from Ohio, were oblivious to what the universe had in store for them. Although they desperately wanted to start a family and welcome little angels into their hearts and home, their journey to parenthood was lined with multiple challenges, detours, and roadblocks.

The couple struggled for five years to fall pregnant with their first baby, and eventually, they were blessed with a boy, Demitirje. But while trying to conceive her son, Crystal was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), placing her at an increased risk of pregnancy complications.

Expecting Triplets & Early Labor

The Milutinovics were thrilled to embrace parenthood and didn't let the diagnosis dampen their spirits. In 2018, they received another delightful news—they were expecting triplets. The mere thought of adding three more babies to their family felt like a dream come true.

But to their amazement, the universe was busy rewriting their story and turning things around in a way they had never expected.

Unfortunately, trouble ensued when Crystal went into labor when she was only 24 weeks into her pregnancy in August 2018. It was a massive surprise for the pair because, according to the doctors, the mother and her trio had been in excellent condition.

Losing Their Two Precious Angels

Sadly, Crystal and Marco's happiness turned into deep sorrow in just two days. They lost two babies, one after the other, and were shattered and crippled. Their baby boy, Milan, suffered an intestine infection, and his health declined rapidly. Despite being resuscitated thrice, he couldn't make it.

With no other choice, the Milutinovics had to make the "hardest decision" of their lives and switch off their son's life support. But their terrifying ordeal was far from over. Milan's sister, Katarina, was also in distress as her heart rate continued to drop, much to her parents' heartache.

Crystal recalled how she fell to the floor as she saw the medical staff trying to resuscitate her baby girl, which she referred to as a "really bad dream." Despite their best efforts, the doctors couldn't save Katarina, and as difficult as it was, the distraught parents had to prepare to bid farewell. Crystal recounted:

"They couldn't save [Katarina] so I held them both close to my chest. Waiting for them to pass in my arms was the most difficult and deep pain I've ever experienced. It was unimaginable."

Bringing Their Infant Home & Suffering Another Heartbreak

The couple's surviving baby from the trio, Lana, had to stay 109 days in the neonatal intensive care unit before receiving the green signal to return home. According to her mom, the little girl contracted a chronic lung disease and an E-coli infection and had to be resuscitated ten times.

But Lana emerged as a true warrior and beat the odds, becoming a beacon of hope for her parents. Even then, Crystal and Marco's challenges were anything but over.

After a year, the grieving parents saw a ray of light when Crystal learned she was pregnant again on the first anniversary of Katrina and Milan's death.

Initially, the mother felt it was a part of fate's plan to replace her pain with hope and love. Sadly, everything fell apart when she miscarried at eight weeks, and after seeing the doctor, Crystal learned that she had been pregnant with twins. She not only suffered a miscarriage but also had an ectopic pregnancy.

Falling Pregnant Again & Welcoming Three Miracles

Once again, tragedy struck the Milutinovic family, and their fragile world crashed. But to their amazement, the universe was busy rewriting their story and turning things around in a way they had never expected.

After losing their twins, Crystal and Marco took a break, only to fall pregnant again in their first month of trying. But that wasn't all. The Ohio parents were over the moon when they discovered they were expecting triplets. "That's impossible," remarked Marco upon learning the news.

They were in utter disbelief and thought it was unbelievable because neither Crystal nor Marco had a history of multiples in their families. However, drawing from their prior experience, the Milutinovics decided to take definitive measures to ensure their babies' safety.

So, they underwent a medical procedure to prevent premature labor, which cost them $6,000. The couple went to Chicago for the treatment, but everything worked out beautifully, and 2020 became their year of hope, love, and joy.

Blessed with the Best & Sharing Her Journey

In September 2020, at 36 weeks, Crystal, 29, welcomed three healthy babies—Malina, Kostadin, and Aleksija. The Milutinovic home began echoing with the cackles of their three miracles, and the eager parents couldn't stop doting on them. Regarding her adorable bundles of joy, the ecstatic mom expressed:

"We are so blessed and obsessed with the chaos. They are everything we have ever dreamed of."

Although Crystal and Marco are the parents of five children, they still consider themselves the parents of nine because, deep down, they will never forget the babies they lost. Crystal has been documenting her journey on social media to find comfort and healing and normalize pregnancy and baby loss.

On one occasion, the devoted mother noted that after losing her newborn son and daughter, she learned to hold on to her other kids and vowed never to be the first one to let go. She also shares glimpses from her life as a mom of five and the dynamics of making things work.

Gaining Traction

Per Crystal and Marco, their rainbow babies didn't take away their pain nor mend their broken hearts; instead, they gave them extra love and showed them they still had a lot to be thankful for. When the Milutinovic couple's heart-touching story gained traction, many netizens left encouraging comments for them:

"What a beautiful family. So very blessed."

— (@becky.graham.182940) November 11, 2020

"Well done mummy and congratulations to you both and to the big brother and sister."

— (@carol.donald.9) November 10, 2020

"God bless you and your precious family."

— (@marcelle.vaughan.35) November 10, 2020

"Beautiful for you both stay safe your babies are beautiful (sic)."

— (@sharone.gannon.1) November 11, 2020

The Ohio couple's story teaches us that there's always hope amid darkness, and it's powerful enough to replace our losses and pain with love and joy. If this story warmed your hearts, please share your thoughts in the comments section on Facebook.

Click here to read another story about a Mississippi teacher who lost two babies and couldn't believe it when she learned she was expecting quintuplets.