A 35-year-old woman in Ethiopia’s Harari Regional State has given birth to rare naturally conceived quintuplets after spending 12 years trying to have a child.
Bedriya Adem and her husband are celebrating the arrival of four boys and one girl, born at Hiwot Fana Specialised Hospital through a Caesarean section on Tuesday evening. Hospital officials confirmed that both the mother and babies are in stable condition and receiving medical care.
The newborns, who each weigh between 1.3kg and 1.4kg, were described by doctors as healthy and showing promising signs of growth and survival.
Speaking after the delivery, Bedriya said she was overwhelmed with joy after years of emotional pain and social pressure over her inability to conceive.
“I cannot express my happiness in words,” she said. “I prayed for just one child, and Allah gave me five.”
According to the hospital’s medical director, Dr Mohammed Nur Abdulahi, the pregnancy occurred naturally without the aid of in vitro fertilisation (IVF), making the birth extremely rare. Experts estimate the chances of naturally conceiving quintuplets at about one in 55 million.
Dr Mohammed explained that Bedriya had attended regular prenatal check-ups and was aware she was carrying multiple babies, although she had initially been told she was expecting four children.
The first-time mother recalled the emotional struggles she faced during her long wait for motherhood, saying she often felt isolated as people in her community questioned why she had no children.
“What I endured in the past feels like a distant dream,” she said. “I spent 12 years praying constantly for children, and at last Allah answered my prayers.”
Bedriya, a subsistence farmer, admitted she is uncertain about how she will support her expanded family but remains hopeful.
“I believe Allah will provide through the support of my community and the government,” she said.
The five babies have been named Naif, Ammar, Munzir, Nazira and Ansar.
