Many people assume that having children is just part of the package when you get married. But for countless couples, that path is anything but straightforward. Courtney and Eric Waldrop were among those who faced heartbreak on their journey to parenthood. Despite a love that had blossomed since middle school and a clear dream of raising a big family, their story began with unexpected challenges. Yet, through it all, they remained determined—and were eventually blessed in the most extraordinary way.
The couple, hailing from Albertville, Alabama, tied the knot in 2004. They had known from an early age that they wanted to build a large family together. But turning that dream into reality wasn’t easy. It took nearly five years before they welcomed their first child, a son named Saylor. With joy in their hearts and hope for more children, Courtney and Eric soon found themselves navigating an emotional rollercoaster. Courtney suffered multiple miscarriages, each one leaving them shattered.
However, they never lost faith. In January 2012, four years after Saylor was born, Courtney gave birth to twin boys, Wales and Bridge. These births came with the help of fertility treatments, and during this time, doctors discovered that Courtney had a clotting disorder that made pregnancy risky. Despite the complications, their desire to expand their family never faded.
When the couple decided to try for a fourth child, Eric expressed concern about having multiples again. The emotional toll of previous pregnancies made him hope for just one more baby. Doctors prescribed Courtney a low dosage of fertility medication to minimize the chances of multiples. “I wasn’t on a very high dosage at all,” Courtney later recalled. But fate had something else in mind.
A routine ultrasound following a positive pregnancy test turned into a jaw-dropping moment. The nurse’s expression turned pale as she examined the screen. “It’s six,” she whispered, prompting Eric to nearly pass out from the shock. The odds of conceiving sextuplets with the medication Courtney was taking were estimated at one in five million. Yet somehow, it happened.
Courtney and Eric were stunned. “Most people think it was IVF, and we implanted six embryos. But it wasn’t. It was just an oral medication to help with ovulation,” Courtney explained. The news came with overwhelming concerns. Doctors recommended selective reduction—a procedure to reduce the number of fetuses—to improve the chances of survival for the others. But to Courtney, the thought of losing any of the babies was unthinkable. She was overcome with emotion, wondering how she could safely carry six babies while still being there for her three boys at home.
After much thought and prayer, the Waldrops made a courageous decision—they would not reduce the pregnancy. Despite the overwhelming risks, they felt peace in trusting their faith. “It was like a weight lifted off our shoulders,” Courtney shared. “It was the first time I had felt happiness since finding out about the pregnancy.”
On December 11, 2017, Courtney delivered six babies—three girls and three boys—via C-section. Rivers, Rayne, Rawlings, Blu, Tag, and Layke were born prematurely, just shy of 30 weeks. Each weighed a little over two pounds. It was a dangerous delivery. Courtney lost a significant amount of blood and needed a transfusion. Yet, against all odds, all six babies survived and were doing well.
The journey wasn’t over. The sextuplets spent nearly two months in the NICU, receiving round-the-clock care. By early February 2018, they began coming home. Rivers and Rawlings were discharged on February 3. Rayne joined them two weeks later, and by February 23, the entire family was reunited under one roof. It was the beginning of a beautiful, chaotic new chapter.
Courtney looked back on those early days with a mix of exhaustion and fondness. “We were barely surviving, too busy to realize it. We changed about 100 diapers a day and fed 100 bottles. At the time, it was overwhelming, but now, I miss it. I’d love to go back—even for just a moment—and soak it all in.”
Fast forward to 2025, and the sextuplets are now seven years old. They’re healthy, energetic, and full of life—just like any other group of second-graders. The Waldrop home is still lively, full of laughter, love, and the beautiful chaos that comes with raising nine children. Their journey continues to touch the hearts of people everywhere.
Courtney, now a well-loved figure on social media, has amassed nearly 700,000 followers on Instagram. She frequently shares glimpses of their daily life, including milestones, celebrations, and the little moments that make their story so unique. Recently, she posted about the sextuplets’ birthday party, reflecting on how much had changed in just seven years.
“At the rate we were headed, I wasn’t sure if we were going to pull off a party,” she wrote. “But when six little ones ask you 60 times a day about their birthday, you make it happen!”
Tragically, the original party date coincided with the passing of Courtney’s father. She remembered their final conversation that morning. “I told my Daddy we’d see him right after the party. He would’ve wanted us to celebrate. So we did, and the six had a blast.”
The celebration, filled with joy and bittersweet memories, was a reminder of everything the family had overcome. Through all the struggles—from infertility and miscarriages to the risks of carrying six babies—Courtney and Eric never gave up. They held onto hope, leaned on faith, and cherished the miracle that life had given them.
Today, their home is a place of energy, love, and unwavering commitment. Their story is not just about surviving hard times—it’s about embracing the unexpected and finding beauty in the challenges. The Waldrops have proven that even when life doesn’t go according to plan, it can still turn out more extraordinary than you ever imagined.
