By Jill Hanning
Enquirer contributor

Clockwise from top right are Gavin, Roan, Brennan and Morgan, the Postich quads, at 2 1/2 months; with Jonathan, Jenna and Jordan Shaul, who are 2 months old. Jeremy Shaul is still in the hospital. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

WEST CHESTER TWP. - With a 7-year-old son and four newborns at home, it's a good day if Tracy Leugers can find the time to take a shower.

"Our lives are no longer ours, they belong to the kids. But it's worth every minute," she said.

Leugers, 31, and her husband, Shane Postich, 32, of West Chester had quadruplets on May 4 after using in vitro fertilization. Another set of quads was born in May to a family living just a few miles away.

Leugers said two embryos were implanted in her uterus - a standard method to double the chances that one will develop into a fetus - and both developed. But one split into triplets, for a total of four babies.

"It was a combination of science and nature," Leugers said.

The results are Brennan, Gavin and Roan, identical boy triplets, and their sister, Morgan. The quads were premature and spent two months in the hospital. At birth each weighed about 21/2 pounds, but now they are healthy and at home, gaining weight and keeping mom and dad up with their every-four-hours feeding schedule.

"My husband and I rented a DVD and it took us four days to watch it," Leugers said. "You only get 15 minutes here and there."

Jennifer and Jeff Shaul of neighboring Mason know that. Jennifer gave birth to fraternal quads, Jonathan, Jordan, Jeremy and Jenna on May 23. Jennifer, 31, and Leugers met and became friends while following bed rest orders, preparing for their deliveries at Good Samaritan Hospital's Seton Center for High Risk Pregnancies

"Multiple gestations run the same risk as any other pregnancy, but premature labor is significantly higher - you know from the outset with quads that they won't be delivered at term - and there are increased risks of complications with blood pressure, diabetes and growth restriction," said Dr. Deward Voss, Shaul's obstetrician at the Seton Center.

Shaul had pursued fertility treatment in the form of injectable hormones, a riskier method for pregnancy because the results aren't as predictable as with in vitro. "I had a feeling we might need a little help, a little extra boost," Shaul said.

The Shauls decided they wanted their son Joshua, now 2, to have a brother or sister, and wound up with four siblings for him.

For now, Leugers and Shauls are receiving help and donations from friends, family and the community, and are just happy to have their babies healthy and at home.

"We feel so incredibly blessed," said Leugers, "not only with the babies, but from seeing the love and support of friends and family."

"There's a long road ahead," said Shaul. "We knew how hard it was with just one (baby), but we see the support we have and feel more confident."