In a rare occurance a Lebanese woman has given birth to sextuplets, three boys and three girls, a local news station is reporting.
The Saint George Hospital University Medical Center said that the premature babies, who are in stable condition, will be kept in the neonatal intensive care unit until their due date so the team can monitor them closely.
“The Lebanese couple did not plan the fifth pregnancy as they have already four sons,” the hospital said in a statement.
The mother, who previously gave birth to three of her four sons by caesarian section, delivered the sextuplets naturally and without any complications.
Unlike many of the high order multiples born in North America, the mother did not undergo any fertility treatment in order to become pregnant.
Dr. Nadim Al Hajal, an obstetrician at the hospital, told new outlet Annahar, only 4-5 similar cases have been reported around the world, noting that this is the first time sextuplets are born in Lebanon.
The procedure was critical considering that the woman was planning a VBAC after previously giving birth via C-section.
“We monitored this case right from the beginning and managed to help achieve a successful delivery. The mother and newborns are now in our medical center’s neonatal intensive care unit but are doing great. This is a huge medical achievement for Lebanon,” he said.
The new Youssef Fadl said he was thrilled with the birth of his six babies but also felt nervous and overwhelmed at the thought of raising them all at once.
“We weren’t thinking of having more kids but God granted us this blessing and we accepted it just as it is. So many people told us to keep one of the embryos but we completely rejected the idea. Even though it wasn’t an easy journey as my wife had to spend a month and a half in bed rest, she was given the best medical treatment and her delivery went well,” he added.
