Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
October 24, 2001
Multiple births: one family's answer
Tears, prayers part of Deloeras' decision for life
By Mary Borda
Although worries sometimes caused them sleepless nights, Victor and Eva Deloera, the parents of the Denver quintuplets — three girls and two boys — born May 13, relied on their faith and plenty of prayer to see them through the difficult months of pregnancy.
Eva described her, Victor and their 13-year-old daughter Pearl's initial reaction to the pregnancy.
"When I first realized I was expecting, Victor, Pearl and I put our arms around each other and cried — we were so happy," she said. "We all went together to the first doctor's appointment to hear everything he had to say."
It wasn't long, however, before each of them grew speechless as the doctor pointed out first one heartbeat, then another, and another, and another.
"By the time he got to four my mind went blank," Eva said, later adding, "I was thinking of everything and nothing at the same time. Victor thought he saw a fifth `dot' (representing a heartbeat), but I was relieved when the doctor stuck with four."
The dangers of a multiple birth scenario soon became apparent to the family as the doctor warned them not to be surprised if, when Eva returned the next week for another check, there were only three, two or even one baby(ies) still viable.
"That many babies growing so fast takes a lot out of you during the early months," Eva explained, "and chances were good that several could be lost. But, when we went back, the first thing out of the doctor's mouth was, `Holy Moley — there are five!' So, instead of having to be sad over the loss of one or several of the babies, we were blessed with another one."
Upon being referred to a specialist who would closely monitor the developing babies' health, Eva recalled his constant advisements about all the risks that would be involved.
"Without making any specific recommendations," she said, "he warned us that they were going to go through a lot before being born."
For example, there was the chance that one of them could contract an infection and spread it to the others, causing one or all to die or to stall in their development, or two or three of them could be very sick when they were born.
"The possible expense of caring for sick babies did worry me a lot," Victor said. "From then on, we prayed and prayed. We just asked God to help us accept his will, whatever it was. These were his babies, not ours."
Early on, the doctor advised Victor and Eva that heartbeats could be easily stopped in early pregnancy by "putting a needle through the belly" and injecting a solution.
"We never once thought of doing it," Eva said. "Even though we wondered how I would carry five and worried that one or more might be very sick or even die, we just put it all in God's hands."
One of the hardest things for the couple to do was tell other people, especially their immediate families, about the impending birth. After recovering from his initial shock over the news of five babies, one relative asked, "What are you going to do about it; surely you're not going to carry them all to term? And look at how small your house is!"
"Well, I was shocked," said Eva, "and all I could say is that they were all my babies, and they each deserved a chance to live. How could I ever choose one or two over the others?"
A defining moment finally helped the family come to peace with their decision for life when they were forced to respond to a good friend's repeated pleas that they reduce the health risks to both Eva and the babies by aborting one or more of the babies.
"After many tears and prayers," Eva said, "I finally found a way to explain what we were struggling with. I told him to hold up his hand, then asked which fingers he wanted me to cut off. Then I told him that, just as it would be unthinkable for him to loose his fingers, so it would be impossible for us to do away with any of our babies."
Today, 5-month-old Hugo, Eva, Victoria, Lilia and Victor are bursting with health and thriving on their parents' and big sister's lavish, tender care. Asked how they are coping with the monumental job of feeding, changing, washing, burping and loving five babies, as well as carrying on with work and other chores, Victor responded, "Some days are good and some are bad, just like in any family. We just know we want to try our best for our children — we're going to give it all we've got."
A fund has been established by the archdiocese to help the Deloeras. Make your tax deductible contribution payable to Archdiocese of Denver/Deloera Family Fund and mail to 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210. In addition to needing money for day-to-day expenses and a down payment for a larger home, the family is also in need of size two or larger diapers and size six months or larger new or near-new baby clothes. These may be dropped off at Guardian Angels School at 1843 W. 52nd Ave. (north of Pecos Street and Interstate 70) or the John Paul II Center at 1300 S. Steele St. Contact Mary Borda at 303-715-3127 with any questions.
"The possible expense of caring for sick babies did worry me a lot," Victor said. "From then on, we prayed and prayed. We just asked God to help us accept his will, whatever it was. These were his babies, not ours."
Early on, the doctor advised Victor and Eva that heartbeats could be easily stopped in early pregnancy by "putting a needle through the belly" and injecting a solution.
"We never once thought of doing it," Eva said. "Even though we wondered how I would carry five and worried that one or more might be very sick or even die, we just put it all in God's hands."
One of the hardest things for the couple to do was tell other people, especially their immediate families, about the impending birth. After recovering from his initial shock over the news of five babies, one relative asked, "What are you going to do about it; surely you're not going to carry them all to term? And look at how small your house is!"
"Well, I was shocked," said Eva, "and all I could say is that they were all my babies, and they each deserved a chance to live. How could I ever choose one or two over the others?"
A defining moment finally helped the family come to peace with their decision for life when they were forced to respond to a good friend's repeated pleas that they reduce the health risks to both Eva and the babies by aborting one or more of the babies.
"After many tears and prayers," Eva said, "I finally found a way to explain what we were struggling with. I told him to hold up his hand, then asked which fingers he wanted me to cut off. Then I told him that, just as it would be unthinkable for him to loose his fingers, so it would be impossible for us to do away with any of our babies."
Today, 5-month-old Hugo, Eva, Victoria, Lilia and Victor are bursting with health and thriving on their parents' and big sister's lavish, tender care. Asked how they are coping with the monumental job of feeding, changing, washing, burping and loving five babies, as well as carrying on with work and other chores, Victor responded, "Some days are good and some are bad, just like in any family. We just know we want to try our best for our children — we're going to give it all we've got."
A fund has been established by the archdiocese to help the Deloeras. Make your tax deductible contribution payable to Archdiocese of Denver/Deloera Family Fund and mail to 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210. In addition to needing money for day-to-day expenses and a down payment for a larger home, the family is also in need of size two or larger diapers and size six months or larger new or near-new baby clothes. These may be dropped off at Guardian Angels School at 1843 W. 52nd Ave. (north of Pecos Street and Interstate 70) or the John Paul II Center at 1300 S. Steele St. Contact Mary Borda at 303-715-3127 with any questions.
Contact Us
