Southeastern Mississippi Celebrates Rare Birth of Two Sets of Triplets by the Same Doctor
ELLISVILLE, Miss. – The small town of Ellisville, Mississippi, recently experienced an extraordinary event that captivated both locals and the medical community. In an exceptional coincidence, two families, both surnamed Crawford, welcomed three babies each within months of each other, all delivered by the same obstetrician, Dr. Joe Washburne, at Merit Health Wesley.
Dr. Washburne characterized the event as particularly remarkable, noting that the occurrence of spontaneous triplets is exceedingly rare, with a likelihood of just one in 8,000 pregnancies. “What is even more astonishing is that both families hail from Ellisville, a town with a population of only about 4,500,” he stated. This unique situation not only highlights the rarity of multiple births but also exemplifies the close-knit nature of small communities.
The first set of triplets, born to Dusty and Marisa Crawford, includes Birdie, Bronc, and Barnett. Meanwhile, Nicole and Jason Crawford welcomed Jack, Rivers, and Cherish. Both couples had previously experienced the trials of parenting and were hoping to expand their families but were taken by surprise at the prospect of three children at once.
“During our initial ultrasound, I thought the technician had the wrong file,” shared Marisa Crawford. “It was quite overwhelming.” Similarly, Nicole Crawford expressed her shock upon learning she was expecting triplets, especially as her attempts to conceive had previously been complicated by medical challenges.
Both couples faced the common challenges associated with multiple pregnancies, requiring intensive care support for their newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). “It is standard practice for multiple-fetal pregnancies to involve NICU care, and both families demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the pregnancy journey,” Dr. Washburne noted.
The shared experiences of the two families led them to connect via social media. After initially learning of each other’s pregnancies through community channels, the two moms found solace in each other’s company, sharing insights and providing support. Nicole recalled reaching out to Marisa, saying, “We bonded over the challenges and joys of triplets, navigating sleepless nights together and celebrating milestones.”
As the families look forward to birthdays, school graduations, and numerous playdates ahead, the sense of community and support between them strengthens. Marisa reflected on this camaraderie, stating, “Her calm demeanor helped me feel reassured that we could weather the challenges of raising triplets together.”
As of now, Jack, Cherish, and Rivers are six months old, while Bronco, Barnett, and Birdie are two months old. Both families emphasize that despite the demanding nature of parenting multiples, they are committed to overcoming hurdles together.
This rare convergence of circumstances not only brings attention to the extraordinary nature of triplet births but also illustrates the power of community support in facing life’s challenges—a story that resonates deeply within the fabric of Ellisville and beyond.
