Queensland mum gives birth to “one-in-15-million” identical quadruplets

A Queensland family has welcomed four identical baby girls in what’s being considered one of the rarest births in the world.

The quadruplets Emily, Harriet, Alexa and Catherine were born via c-section at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) on July 14, at just 28 weeks and four days.

The girls were naturally conceived and shared one placenta, which is estimated to only occur in around one in 15 million pregnancies.

“So four sacks, one placenta, which means they were monozygotic, they came from one fertilised egg, which split into four, which is incredible,” RBWH obstetrician Dr Alexa Bendall said.

“It is a very, very high-risk pregnancy,” she added.

“There is a high risk of mortality and morbidity for these babies, and for mum.”

The obstetrician said the birth is “very special” and may be the first naturally conceived pregnancy of its kind in Australia.

“We don’t think it’s ever happened in Australia,” she said.

“There may have been a couple of cases elsewhere in the world.”

Mother Jenitar Na’amoana, 34, and her husband, Jortham, were shocked when they found out they were having four babies, and are now adjusting to life as a family of 10, as they have four other children aged 10, 8, 3 and 1.

“Jenitar already had four babies at home, including one that she was breastfeeding at the time.,” Bendall said.

“When they went along and they found out that they had four babies instead of one, they were quite shocked.”

Jenitar was admitted to hospital at about 25 weeks after developing a short cervix and early contractions.

Fortunately, the babies were delivered in good condition and are expected to remain in the neonatal intensive care unit for several weeks.

“Long term, their outlook will be really good,” Bendall said.

One of the girls, Alexa, was named after the obstetrician after she helped guide the family through the high-risk pregnancy.

The family have since launched a GoFundMe campaign as they adjust to a new life with eight children.

“Our four precious miracles have arrived safely, and while our hearts are overflowing with gratitude, the reality of caring for four newborns at once has brought challenges we never could have imagined,” Jenitar wrote.

The page was started to help the family raise funds for additional help with baby equipment and ongoing medical, travel and living expenses, as well as a new 10 or 12-seat van, which the family said they urgently needed.

Image: GoFundMe