Couple Conceived Rare Spontaneous Quads. 1 Pregnancy Loss Followed, but Mom Says Daughter Is ‘Watching Over Them’ (Exclusive)

**Iowa Family Welcomes Quadruplets Amid Heartbreak**

A young couple from Iowa has welcomed a set of quadruplets into their family under circumstances both joyous and tragic. Marae Hanson, 24, and her fiancé Patrick Fischer, 25, discovered they were expecting four girls, a rare occurrence that they could hardly comprehend. Their excitement turned bittersweet, however, when one of the babies, Rivie Sue, was stillborn.

Marae’s journey began when she found out she was pregnant with quadruplets, marking a surprising turn in their lives as they prepared to transition to a family of “two under two.” Unfortunately, this joy was overshadowed by the loss of baby Rivie, which Marae publicly addressed on social media, questioning her identity as a “quad mom” after the loss. Her heartfelt TikTok post resonated with many followers, who reassured her that she still rightfully held that title.

Following the outpouring of support, Marae’s story garnered attention across various media platforms, leading to generous donations that fully equipped the nursery and changing area for the new babies. “I didn’t expect it to blow up, but the response was incredible,” she said. “It relieved some financial stress as I plan to be a stay-at-home mum for at least five years while the children are still young.”

Initially, the pregnancy presented complications, including a diagnosis of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. In this condition, identical twins share a placenta, sometimes impacting the health of one of the babies. In this case, one of Marae’s twins was receiving half of the blood supply while the other received only a quarter, necessitating medical intervention. However, prior to the tragedy, Marae recounted that all appeared well during routine checks.

The day of the tragic news came just after a celebratory gender reveal at 21 weeks. “At that point, she was doing fine,” Marae recalled. However, her elation quickly turned to despair when she discovered that Rivie had passed away. The response to her TikTok had been overwhelming but was now intertwined with her grief.

Marae’s determination to include Rivie in the family narrative is poignant. “She’ll be in the house with us,” she said, explaining that they have created a shelf in the nursery dedicated to their daughter. Marae believes this will help the surviving girls grow up knowing they have a guardian angel watching over them.

The quadruplet sisters were born in May, spending their first days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) before eventually coming home. The family now includes Renlyn, Hartley, and Whitley, along with their older brother Atticus, who is just a year old. The couple has turned to family for support, as they are currently living with Patrick’s parents, who are readily assisting in caring for the children.

Despite the challenges of raising three infants and a toddler simultaneously, Marae shares that the experience has been “surprisingly calm.” She credits the infants for their good nature, bringing joy to the household.

Marae’s background adds depth to her perspective on family and parenting. Growing up in Sioux City, she faced challenges but found solace through a middle school teacher, who unexpectedly turned out to be the mother of her fiancé. Their connection, revealed years later, led to a serendipitous relationship, and Marae expresses her gratitude for the support network that has formed around her growing family.

As she and Patrick contemplate raising their children in the same community they grew up, they are keen on embracing each day as it comes. “It’s definitely going to be a wild ride,” Marae reflects. With her experience thus far, she also hopes to return to work in the veterinary field once her children are a bit older.

The Fischer family’s story is a heartfelt reminder of resilience and support amidst life’s unpredictable nature. Marae balances her grief for Rivie with the joy of her surviving daughters, and she remains optimistic about their future together as a large family.