A mother in Australia has given birth to identical quadruplets, a rare occurrence. Jenitar and Jortham Na-amoana welcomed four baby girls named Emily, Harriet, Alexa, and Catherine at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. These quadruplets were naturally conceived and monozygotic, meaning a single fertilized egg split into four embryos.
The girls were delivered via caesarean section at 28 weeks and four days on July 14th. The chances of naturally conceiving quadruplets are estimated to be around one in 15 million. This birth doubled the couple’s number of children, as they already had four kids aged between 10 and one.
Dr. Alexa Bendall, who one of the babies was named after, provided care for Mrs. Na-amoana during her pregnancy. She praised Jenitar for handling the pregnancy smoothly, noting the rarity of spontaneously conceived quadruplets with shared placenta.
The hospital expressed that Jenitar and Jortham were taken by surprise at the news of expecting quadruplets. Dr. Bendall highlighted the high risks associated with monozygotic quadruplets and the need for close monitoring.
The quadruplets will spend time in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit until they reach full term. To support the costs of raising four additional children, the couple set up a GoFundMe page. They seek assistance for essential baby equipment, medical expenses, and everyday living costs. Donations of any size are appreciated, along with prayers and sharing their story with others.
