Many people assume that having children is a given for married couples, but the reality is far different for many.
Courtney and Eric Waldrop, however, were among the fortunate ones. After heartbreaking miscarriages, they finally welcomed became parents to three beautiful boys with the help of fertility treatments.
But just when they thought their family’s story was one of triumph, something happened that would shake their world in ways they could never have imagined…
Courtney and Eric Waldrop, a couple from Albertville, Alabama, have a love story that began long before they said ”I do” in 2004. They met in middle school, where their bond was immediate. Early on, they knew they wanted a big family together.
But as anyone with a dream can tell you, the journey to making that dream come true isn’t always as simple as it seems.
For Courtney and Eric, it took almost five years before they could welcome their first son, Saylor. While they knew they wanted more children, they soon found themselves facing heartbreaking challenges. Courtney suffered multiple miscarriages, each one leaving the family devastated.
But they didn’t give up. Four years after Saylor was born, in January 2012, their dreams came true when they welcomed twin boys, Wales and Bridge, into the world. This time, with the help of fertility treatments after enduring the pain of losing several pregnancies. It was also during this time that doctors discovered Courtney had a clotting disorder that complicated future pregnancies.
Still, their hearts remained set on growing their family even more.
When they decided to try for a fourth child, Eric made it clear: he didn’t want multiples again. But life, as it often does, had other plans.
After another miscarriage, doctors prescribed a low dosage of fertility treatment for Courtney, designed to reduce the risk of carrying multiple fetuses.
“I wasn’t on a very high dosage at all,” Courtney explained.
Then came the moment that changed everything. A positive pregnancy test led to a routine ultrasound, where they got the shock of their lives.
As the nurse looked at the screen, her face drained of color.
“It’s six,” she said quietly, as Eric could only stare in disbelief.
“I literally almost passed out,” he recalled.
The odds of getting pregnant with sextuplets on the medication Courtney was taking were one in five million. And yet, against all odds, that’s exactly what happened.
“Most people think it was in vitro and we implanted six embryos, but we did not. The medication was just an oral medication that helps you to ovulate.”
Given the immense risks associated with carrying six babies, doctors advised Courtney and Eric to consider selective reduction, a procedure to reduce the number of fetuses to give the others a better chance at survival.
The idea of losing any of their babies was unimaginable, and Courtney, overwhelmed with emotion, broke down in tears.
“All I could think about was how I could carry six babies without anything happening to me, so that I could be there for my three little boys?” she said.
In the face of such uncertainty, the Waldrops made a decision that would change everything. They chose not to reduce the pregnancy, despite the grave risks.
“It was like a weight lifted off our shoulders,” Courtney shared. “It was the first time I had felt happiness since finding out about the pregnancy.”
On December 11, 2017, their family of five grew by six.
Courtney and Eric welcomed three beautiful baby girls — Rivers, Rayne, and Rawlings — and three precious baby boys — Blu, Tag, and Layke. But while their hearts were full of joy, their minds were filled with worry. The sextuplets were born prematurely, before 30 weeks gestation, and there was a real risk of complications for both the babies and Courtney.
“I was scared to death,” Courtney admitted.
“I’m a smaller framed girl, and my first thoughts were on how I was going to successfully get six kids here without something happening to them or me. There was a lot of fear. We didn’t know what to do or think.”
Despite the fears, their faith in God never wavered.
“We never would have thought we would have considered that,” Courtney explained about selective reduction. “But with the risks involved, no doctor could sugarcoat what could happen. The risks are real for me and for the babies. When we let it go and turned it all over to [God], those fears – though we knew the risks are still there – were lifted from us.”
By November 2017, Courtney was placed on bed rest at 24 weeks in an effort to stave off premature labor. She had been a first-grade teacher for 14 years, but it became impossible for Courtney to work once her belly began to swell.
By Thanksgiving, she was hospitalized, with doctors preparing for the arrival of the sextuplets.
Finally, at 29 weeks and six days, the babies were born via C-section after Courtney’s water broke. She lost a lot of blood and required a blood transfusion. But against the odds, all six babies were born weighing just over two pounds each—and they did well.
The journey was far from over, but after nearly two months in the NICU, the Waldrop family got their miracle. On February 3, Rivers and Rawlings, two of the baby girls, were the first to go home. By February 17, Rayne joined them.
And on February 23, all six babies were home with their big brothers, Saylor, Wales, and Bridge.
In the beginning, things were, of course, hectic for the family. Courtney reflected, “There were days when we were barely surviving but too busy to realize it. We changed 100 diapers a day and fed 100 bottles a day. At the time, it was exhausting, but now, looking back, I miss it. I’d love to go back, even for just a little while, and really soak it all in.”
By 2025, the Waldrop sextuplets are 7 years old and seem to be thriving just like any other 7-year-olds. Their home is still filled with joy, and their incredible journey continues to inspire others. Courtney, their mom, has become somewhat of an influencer with nearly 700,000 followers on Instagram, where she regularly shares glimpses of their everyday life.
Recently, Courtney posted about the sextuplets’ birthday celebration, reflecting on the challenges leading up to the party:
“At the rate we were headed I wasn’t for sure if we were ever going to party or not. But when six little ones ask you 60 times a day when their party is going to be….you finally make it happen!!
Originally, their party was on the day my Daddy passed away. I told my Daddy that morning when we talked on the phone that we would see him as soon as the party was over😔 He definitely would have wanted us to make their Birthday Party happen. We finally did, and the Six had a blast🎉🎉🎉”
Their celebration was filled with love, laughter, and a bittersweet reminder of how far they’ve come. Despite everything, the Waldrop family has learned to keep moving forward, embracing every moment together.
The Waldrop family’s journey is nothing short of amazing. From the tough times with infertility to the miracle of bringing six babies into their lives, they’ve shown what real love and perseverance look like. Through all the challenges, they’ve stuck together and made it work.
Now, their home is full of laughter, love, and all the chaos that comes with raising a big family. Their story is a beautiful reminder that no matter how hard things get, the best parts of life often come from the unexpected.
