Gazing at the photograph of her tiny baby's hand clutching her finger, Jenitar Na'amoana, the mother who recently experienced an identical quadruplet pregnancy, was moved to call it a "big miracle." On her social media page, she wrote, "Every day watching my children grow healthy is another answered prayer for our family. I love you, my little angels, more than words can express."
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Four fetuses. Photo: GoFundMe |
Four fetuses. Photo: GoFundMe
On 14/7, doctors at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) successfully performed a C-section for Jenitar at 28 weeks and four days of gestation. The four baby girls, Emily, Harriet, Alexa, and Catherine, were born safely, bringing overwhelming joy to the family. After three days post-surgery, the mother's health recovered well, and she was discharged, while the babies continue to receive special care at the hospital to stabilize their vital signs.
This birth marks a significant medical event in Australia, as it is the first recorded case of identical quadruplets in the nation in 76 years, since the first surviving quadruplets in 1950. Professor Nick Fisk, a fetal medicine specialist, noted that the rarity of this family's case far exceeds the one in 15 million statistic, as the four fetuses sharing a single placenta elevated the risk to an extreme level.
Typically, monochorionic multiple pregnancies face risks such as unbalanced blood flow between fetuses or intrauterine growth restriction due to limited space. Doctor Alexa Bendall, who directly monitored the case from the 10th week, admitted she had significant concerns about these dangerous complications. However, thanks to her experience from four previous births, Jenitar's body adapted astonishingly well, allowing the pregnancy to reach its term without any major complications apart from premature birth.
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Jenitar Na'amoana's four babies were born via C-section at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. Photo: GoFundMe |
Jenitar Na'amoana's four babies were born via C-section at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. Photo: GoFundMe
The arrival of the four new members has increased the Na'amoana couple's total number of children to eight. They previously had four children aged one to 10 years old. Cathy Scott, President of the North Brisbane Multiple Births Association, stated that this was a completely unplanned surprise. Caring for eight children simultaneously, including four newborns requiring hospital breastfeeding, is creating significant logistical pressure for the family.
Currently, the community is appealing for support to find suitable transportation for the 10-person family, ensuring enough space for six child safety seats. Despite the road ahead holding many challenges, Jenitar remains emotional, calling her children's presence a "big miracle" that answered her family's prayers.
By Binh Minh (According to ABC)
