The wife of a meat seller in Ogun State and mother of five, Mufiat Olateju, has given birth to quadruplets at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abeokuta.
Olateju delivered the babies on Wednesday and, while speaking with journalists at the hospital on Thursday, appealed to the state government and well-meaning Nigerians for assistance in caring for the newborns, noting that the family is yet to settle the hospital bills.
She explained that the birth came as a surprise to the family, as earlier medical scans did not reveal that she was carrying four babies.
The 40-year-old woman was not registered at the hospital for antenatal care and was only referred to the facility while already in labour.
She said, “I have given birth to five children before. Initially, when we had a scan, it did not show quadruplets, so we did not prepare for it. According to the first scan, we were expecting just one baby, but subsequent scans showed two.
“Please, I need the help of the government and good people because I do not know where to start. I am 40 years old, and I want the government to help take care of these four children.”
Her husband, Oluwaseun Olateju, also appealed for assistance, noting that caring for the quadruplets alongside their other children would be extremely difficult without support.
“I am the husband of the woman who gave birth to four children here at FMC. I come from Atan in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.
“I want the government to please come to my aid because I cannot do it alone. It is beyond my power. At one point, I even thought of running away, but I later changed my mind because I believe everything will be fine,” the husband said.
A Consultant Gynecologist, Dr. Taofeek Ogunfunmilayo, who monitored the delivery, noted that the babies were delivered at 32 weeks, stressing that both the mother and babies require assistance due to the challenges surrounding the unexpected multiple birth.
Ogunfunmilayo stated that it was initially believed the woman was carrying triplets, but during surgery, four babies were successfully delivered.
“The patient is what we call an unbooked patient. She did not register with us for antenatal care and was only referred to us when she was already in labour. Initially, we thought she was carrying three babies, but during surgery we were able to deliver four,” Ogunfunmilayo said.
He added that the mother is currently in a stable condition and responding well after the delivery.
“The mother is stable and there is nothing wrong with her. However, because the babies were delivered at 32 weeks, they are premature and have been admitted to the nursery unit where they are receiving specialised care.”
He further explained that the quadruplets are being closely monitored by medical personnel, disclosing that while two of the babies are doing well, the other two require more attention due to their fragile condition.