A mother has given birth to five babies at once in Harari regional state of Ethiopia.
Bedriya Adem, the 35-year-old delivered four boys and a girl, all of whom are in “full health”, at the Hiwot Fana Specialised Hospital.
Adem was initially told that she was pregnant with four babies, but gave birth to a fifth child after 12 years praying to deliver a baby.
“I cannot express my happiness in words,” Adem told local reporter adding “I prayed for just one child, and Allah gave me five.”
Hospital medical director Dr Mohammed Nur Abdulahi said the mother and babies remained under medical care at the hospital. The babies weighed between 1.3 and 1.4kg (3lb).
He told local media that newborns who weigh more than a kilogram have a high chance of survival and healthy growth.
The doctor said that Bedriya had conceived naturally, without the aid of in vitro fertilization (IVF), which the hospital does not offer.
IVF can increase the chance of multiple births if more than one embryo can be transferred.
“I honestly don’t know how I’m going to survive with five children. I will need a lot of help raising them,” she added. “But I believe God will not give me something beyond my strength. However, I would be very grateful for any support.”
Adem said that she had spent “12 years in pain” and “praying constantly” to have children of her own. Her husband has a child from a previous marriage who lives with them.
MG/as/APA