A woman in her mid-twenties, Halima Cisse, gave birth to nine babies in May 2021. Cisse is from Mali but was transported to Morroco before giving birth to receive specialized care. The young woman and all of the babies are doing fine, they are still in the hospital and their health is progressing. It has been over a decade since Nadya Suleman, otherwise known as Octomom, gave birth to eight babies in 2009.
Cisse welcomed five girls and four boys to the world via C-section when she was around 30 weeks into her pregnancy. She originally checked into Ain Borja clinic in Casablanca at 25 weeks, but doctors were able to prolong the birth for another 5 weeks. The girls are named Hawa, Adama, Fatouma, Oumou and Kadidia, and the boys are Mohamed, Bah, Elhadji and Oumar. All of the infants weighed between 1.1 and 2.2 pounds at birth.
Cisse’s husband Kader Arby, 35, had to wait in Mali until the babies were born due to the current health crisis. He was finally able to fly to Morrocco on July 9, then was required to quarantine for 10 days before he was able to meet his children. The family also has a two and half-year-old daughter named Souda who has been staying with relatives.
The young mother insists that she did not use IVF or any other type of treatment to get pregnant, saying the nonuplets came about naturally. As of early June, all of the babies are breathing on their own, which is a substantial feat for infants born so early. Read on to learn more about these miracle babies.
Cisse found out moments before giving birth that she was having nine babies, as she was originally told there were seven. “As the babies were coming out, there were so many questions going through my mind. I was very aware of what was going on and it seemed as if there was an endless stream of babies coming out of me,” Cisse told Daily Mail.
The mother continued, “My sister was holding my hand but all I could think about was how would I look after them and who was going to help me?” The babies have been cared for by around-the-clock staff since being at the hospital, and go through an estimated 100 diapers a day. It will be challenging to care for all 10 of her children when returning home to Mali.
The babies’ father could not be more grateful that all of his children are doing well. Arby said, “It was an incredible feeling and I just give thanks to God that they have survived and that their health is improving and that of my wife. When I saw them, I was lost for words, it’s been difficult to take it all in.”
The birth has gained the attention of the entire world, with Malian officials even reaching out and congratulating the family. “It is a pride for all of Morocco,” said Youssef Alaoui, director of the Ain Borja Clinic. “Now the challenge is to get these babies out in good health.” Daily Mail reported that the couple has not ruled out the possibility of having more children either.
The health of the infants and the mother is improving and it looks like they will all be going home in a couple of months. We wish the family all the best now and in the future.
What do you think about this incredible delivery? Do you know anyone with 10 children? Let us know and be sure to send this on to your loved ones.
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