January 3, 2007, ST. LOUIS - Barnes-Jewish Hospital was the site of a Christmas miracle Dec. 21. Physicians, nurses and other health-care professionals helped Peter and Jenny Ferrill become parents of five newborns.

The Danville, Ill., couple became parents to five newborns Dec. 21. Peter and Jenny Ferrill''s quintuplets came at 31 weeks, and the two girls and three boys each weighed more than 3 pounds. The two girls, Irelyn Kadyn and Kieran Skye; and the three boys Drayden Karter, Landyn Konner and Layne Mykel, were delivered at approximately 2:30 p.m. Dec. 21 by Caesarean section. Dr. Michael Paul, Washington University high-risk obstetrician, led a team of about 100 physicians, nurses, paramedics and other staff members in the delivery.

The newborns are doing well, although they are expected to stay in the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Louis Children''s Hospital for several weeks. They are the first quintuplets born in the 92-year history of Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the first set of quints cared for in the newly opened neonatal intensive care unit at St. Louis Children''s Hospital.

The Ferrill''s are one of only an estimated 203 parents to give birth to quintuplets in the United States. The couple had previously endured two miscarriages. They turned to a physician in their local community and were treated with fertility drugs. Jenny Ferrill was admitted to Barnes-Jewish Hospital on Oct. 30, in the 22nd week of pregnancy, so that she and the babies could get the high-risk care they needed.

A production crew from The Learning Channel is following the Ferrill''s story for a four-part documentary tentatively titled "...And Baby Makes Seven" to air in 2008.