35 years later: what happened to the world’s only six-year-old girls (9 photos)

Janet and Graham Walton wanted nothing more than to be parents. But all attempts to get pregnant ended in failure, as did assisted reproductive technology (ART).

After her twelfth attempt, Janet decided that the next one would be her last. But this time the number 13 brought good luck - the woman became pregnant.

The joy of the future parents knew no bounds. However, when they went for an ultrasound at 8 weeks, they realized something was wrong. The ultrasound specialist was clearly embarrassed and confused, doctors began running into the room, and surprised whispers were heard everywhere. Finally, the Waltons were told that they were having a multiple pregnancy: “You will have six children.”

On November 18, 1983, six girls were born into the Walton family - Hannah, Ruth, Lucy, Kate, Jenny and Sarah, becoming the world's first surviving sextuplets.

The girls were born at 31 weeks via caesarean section at a hospital in Liverpool, England.

Two months later, doctors were convinced that the mother and newborns were healthy and strong, and they were discharged from the hospital.

“They were born healthy at 31 weeks of pregnancy. Two girls were placed in incubators because their lungs did not have time to develop in the womb,” said the father of the family.

The happy parents changed more than 10 thousand diapers a year and practically did not sleep for several years. Six children had to be fed, bathed, put to bed and their diapers changed at the same time. And when the girls grew up, school, clubs and sports clubs began.

“We lived in a fog for the first few years... However, the only regret that haunted us was that we did not have enough time to properly enjoy them growing up.”

Today the sisters are 35 years old and they are closer than ever. Hannah is an elementary school teacher with several educational degrees. Kate works in human resources, and Lucy works for a local airline. Jenny has her own bakery, Ruth is engaged and works in a call center. And in 2014, Sarah made Janet and Graham happy grandparents.

“I loved raising and raising our daughters. I can't say that any stage in their lives was better than another. There was just always so much to do that we couldn't fully enjoy our family life. It’s different with grandchildren,” Janet said.