In a remarkable and unprecedented event, a South African mother, Gosiame Thamara Sithole, has come forward with the astounding claim of giving birth to ten babies at once, surpassing the previous world record for the highest number of surviving children born in a single birth.
Sithole delivered the decuplets, two more than what had been detected in earlier scans, via Cesarean section at a hospital in Pretoria. The 37-year-old mother brought seven boys and three girls into the world, marking an extraordinary milestone.
Her husband, Teboho Tsotetsi, expressed his joy and excitement about the arrival of their ten bundles of joy. The birth of ten babies in a single pregnancy is an extremely rare and high-risk occurrence, as stated by Dr. Dini Mawela, the deputy director at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University.
Due to the complexity of the situation, the newborns will require several months of care in incubators before they can be taken home. Sithole and her husband already have six-year-old twins, adding to the family's joy and challenges.
Earlier this year, another world record was set when Malian woman Halima Cisse gave birth to nonuplets (nine babies) in Morocco. The Malian government facilitated her transfer to Morocco for specialized medical attention.
While media reports have circulated about Sithole's extraordinary birth, South Africa's Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has requested further information to verify the claims. The GCIS emphasized the need to confirm the authenticity of the birth at their facilities and expressed their willingness to provide assistance if necessary.
This remarkable event has captivated the world's attention, highlighting the resilience and strength of mothers and their ability to defy the odds in extraordinary circumstances. As the story unfolds, it serves as a testament to the miracles that can occur in the realm of childbirth.