A Rhode Island woman has given birth to four identical, naturally conceived daughters, a medical rarity estimated to occur in just 1 in 11 million pregnancies, according to Banner Health, the hospital that managed her care.
Rachel and Marco Vargas, parents of two young children, were stunned when a routine ultrasound revealed that Rachel was carrying four genetically identical girls, conceived spontaneously without fertility assistance. The couple traveled from their home in Cranston, Rhode Island, to Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix in Arizona for specialized care for what would become one of the most medically complex pregnancies ever treated at the facility.
Rachel delivered Sofía, Philomena, Veronica, and Isabel via cesarean section on January 24, 2025, at 30 weeks and three days of gestation. After spending over two months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the quadruplets were healthy enough to be discharged, and the family returned home to Rhode Island in late March.
A High-Risk Journey Few Doctors Ever See
Rachel’s pregnancy, while miraculous, was fraught with risk. According to a press release from Banner Health, the medical team faced a rare and dangerous set of complications. Two of the babies shared the same amniotic sac, a condition known as monoamniotic twinning, which dramatically increases the risk of umbilical cord entanglement and fatal outcomes. Complicating matters, the two also experienced velamentous cord insertion, a condition where the umbilical cord attaches to the fetal membranes rather than the placenta, posing a 30 to 40 percent risk of fetal death. Additionally, two of the babies were diagnosed with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a life-threatening disorder in which shared placental circulation causes an uneven distribution of blood between twins. If left untreated, TTTS can result in heart strain, growth restriction, or death for one or both fetuses.
“Rachel’s pregnancy was one I had never seen before,” said Dr. John Elliott, a globally recognized maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Valley Perinatal Services who managed Rachel’s care. “We were very candid about the risks and potential outcomes, but Rachel and Marco never wavered. Their positivity and trust in the process made a tremendous difference.”
Parents Reflect on Life-Changing News
Rachel recalled to Good Morning America the moment she learned she was carrying quadruplets.
“She said, ‘Right now, there are four of them.’ And I just kind of went blank. I don’t know. I think I was in shock,” Rachel said.
Marco echoed her emotion, adding, “This was something that could have cost her life, her health.”
Despite the uncertainty, the couple leaned on faith, family, and medical expertise to make it through. “While it hasn’t been an easy journey,” Rachel said, “we’re thankful that we came to Banner and Dr. Elliott for care. We can’t wait to watch these girls grow.”
A Triumphant Recovery and New Life at Home
On January 24, 2025, Rachel’s four daughters were born in a moment of mixed emotions. “It was glorious seeing these girls triumphantly being pulled out,” Marco said, recalling the intense relief and joy of the birth.
Rachel added, “I felt a huge sense of relief because I felt like they had made it, they were going to be okay.”
After their early arrival, the four girls required continuous care in the NICU from an expert team of neonatologists, nurses, and respiratory therapists. According to Dr. Suma Rao, medical director of the NICU at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix, the babies made steady progress despite early challenges. “These kinds of pregnancies can be quite scary for the parents and family members,” she said. “We are thrilled that they are all back home now with their healthy girls.”
Family of Eight Adjusts to Life at Home
Now back in Rhode Island, the Vargas family of eight is finding new rhythms and routines. Their 3-year-old son, Walter, has eagerly embraced his role as big brother—helping with diaper changes—while 1-year-old Stella is still adjusting to the idea of having four younger sisters.
“We never imagined this would be our story,” Marco said. “But now that we’re living it, we wouldn’t change a thing.”
A Hospital Built for Miracles
Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix, part of the nonprofit Banner Health network, is nationally recognized for its expertise in managing high-order multiples and complex pregnancies. As Arizona’s first Level IV certified perinatal center, the hospital is also home to one of the country’s leading maternal-fetal medicine programs and serves as a teaching hospital for the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix.
For Rachel, Marco, and their six children, it’s the beginning of a joyful—and very full—new chapter. “We’re just so grateful,” Rachel said. “It’s been a journey we’ll never forget.”