Mum tells of joy and exhaustion as her 70m-to-one quads reach third birthday
AS Corrie mum Gemma Winter’s struggle to cope with her quads grips millions of viewers, Carla Crozier knows how she feels.
And, as her own four celebrate their third birthday, the whirlwind of joy, tears and exhaustion that lies ahead for her.
Like Gemma’s babies, Carla’s four girls were born 12 weeks premature.
But unlike the Corrie mum, played by Dolly-Rose Campbell, Carla’s were the result of a final IVF attempt with husband Paul to give their daughter Darcie, now six, a sibling.
And the couple beat odds of 70 million to one by ending up with two sets of identical twin girls.
The Sunday Mirror has followed the little record breakers since their birth in March 2017.
On their birthday on Friday,
Carla dressed Isla and Demi and fellow twins Alyse and Milla in rainbow colours. Just as she does every year in memory of two miscarriages in 2015 in her bid to add to Darcie, also born through IVF. But the quads can be far
Quads on their first Christmas from as sweet as they look. “They fight over anything,” said Carla, 37, who juggles potty-training, tantrums and teething. “If one sits too close they’ll whack each other.
“Paul and I average two hours sleep while they’re teething. It’s tough.
“I get teary then I remind myself what I’ve got. Last year Paul struggled with the constant noise and temper tantrums. He was put on antidepressants. Now he has more patience.”
In Corrie, Gemma denies having postnatal depression, but Carla – who says promises of help from friends and family “never materialised” – now advises charity Multiple Milestones which supports parents of triplets and quads.
“It can be lonely and overwhelming, but reaching out can help,” said Carla, of Grays, Essex. She and Paul have passed many milestones, including the girls starting nursery and potty training – saving £50 on 140 nappies a week.
Carla has been self-isolating with her brood, so the girls’ birthday felt strange. “I made a cake and we played games. Thank goodness we have a garden,” she said. “Seeing my rainbow babies at three makes me so proud.”
I remind myself what I’ve got when I get teary CARLA ON HIGHS AND LOWS OF HAVING QUADS
■■Follow the family’s journey on Instagram at crozierquadsplus1