‘Natural Quadruplets’ Born in Livingston Hospital — Couple Thrilled by Their Miracle Babies
Aja Kennon and her fiancé, Emmanuel Volmar, expected a typical pregnancy checkup — but what they discovered was far from ordinary.
Twins run in both sides of Kennon’s family, and she had noticed she was showing more than during her first pregnancy with their son, Emmanuel Jr., now 8. So when doctors initially told her she was expecting twins, she wasn’t entirely surprised.
Excited, she FaceTimed her sister-in-law, Terika Volmar, to share the news — holding the phone up to the screen.
“Then my sister-in-law said, ‘Wait, I think I see another head,’” Kennon recalled with a laugh.
The doctor confirmed three boys, but the biggest surprise was still to come.

Because multiple pregnancies carry higher risks, Kennon was referred to a specialist at Maternal Fetal Medicine at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey. Two weeks later, during another scan, the specialist began counting: one, two, three, four.
“I was saying to myself, if there’s a fourth one, it better be a girl,” Kennon said — and it was. Tears of joy followed. A video capturing her reaction was posted on Instagram on April 5, showing her discovering she was carrying quadruplets.
“It’s unreal,” she said. “You always imagine this being someone else’s story — not yours.”
A Rare Natural Miracle
Volmar received the life-changing news while working in Port Newark.
“Once they told me, my heart started racing,” he said.
The couple, who live in Orange, New Jersey, conceived the quadruplets naturally — without fertility treatments. Experts note that natural quadruplets occur in roughly 1 in 700,000 pregnancies, while most quadruplets result from medical interventions like IVF.
“I say it was God’s plan, not ours,” Volmar said. “I’m just here to take on the job.”
Preparing for Four
Initially, the couple hadn’t planned a baby shower. But learning they were expecting four prompted them to quickly organize one.
“If it had been just one baby, we could handle everything ourselves,” Kennon said. “But when you hear ‘four,’ you realize you’ll definitely need help.”
They also set up a GoFundMe campaign to help cover costs of diapers, food, and childcare, raising $4,880 toward their $24,000 goal. Childcare in New Jersey averages $18,155 per year — more than in-state college tuition.
Kennon, an employee of the U.S. Postal Service, continued working until eight months into her pregnancy.
“I didn’t want to just sit at home and do nothing. Staying busy and active helped me feel better throughout the pregnancy,” she said.
Careful Monitoring
Doctors at Cooperman Barnabas closely monitored her due to the increased risks of complications like pre-eclampsia and preterm labor.
“We assembled a team from the NICU, anesthesia, blood management, and OB/GYN departments,” said Dr. Claudine Sylvester, associate program director of OB/GYN. “We met regularly because you never know when a mother carrying quadruplets will deliver.”
Kennon received intravenous iron treatments to avoid transfusions, and she met with dietitians, social workers, and doctors every two weeks.
By 34 weeks, the strain became evident. Doctors scheduled a cesarean section, as vaginal delivery was too risky.
“It’s amazing she made it to 34 weeks,” Sylvester said. “Most quadruplet pregnancies end between 20 and 30 weeks. She was positive and followed every medical recommendation, which made a huge difference.”

A Coordinated Effort
More than 20 medical professionals prepared for the birth, explained Dr. Joanne Bishara, director of neonatology.
“Each baby needed its own team ready for resuscitation. There was an assembly line of providers — each baby came out, was handed to their team, and taken to the warmer. That happened four times.”
None of the quadruplets required intubation. Once stabilized, they met their parents.
“It was such a relief to see them,” Kennon said. “Doctors have to tell you everything that could go wrong, so you worry — but thank God, everything went smoothly.”
Four Little Miracles
Kennon was discharged on July 5, four days after the C-section. The babies — Ean, Evan, Alayha, and Eamon — spent extra time in the NICU before going home.
Adjusting to life as a family of seven has been challenging.
“Sleep — you start appreciating it a lot more when you don’t get any,” Volmar said.
Still, Kennon says the joy far outweighs the exhaustion.
“Every time you look at them, even when you’re burping them, and you see those little smiles — it’s just pure happiness,” she said.