adminThe Herald, 19 March 1974
THE first quadruplets to be delivered at Harari Maternity Hospital were born to a Harare housewife, Mrs Jesca Nyamvundu (27), yesterday.
A Ministry of Health spokesperson said yesterday that the babies — all-boys were delivered by Caesarean section and that the mother and the babies were doing well.
The babies weighed 2 120g, 1 825g, 1 700g and 1 420g. The first was delivered at 8.02am and the fourth at 8.07am.
The spokesperson said the babies were being kept in the neonatal unit. But he said no photographs could be taken until the mother and the babies were fit enough to be discharged.
The father, Mr Hama Onias Nyamvundu (30), was beaming when a Herald reporter met him outside the hospital soon after he had seen his wife and children.
Mr Nyamvundu, who earns $23 a month as a hotel cleaner, said: “I can’t say how happy I am today. I am still excited because I have been under strain since my wife was detained in hospital since January 21.
“To see that she has given birth to four boys makes me excited.”
He said he had been going to see his wife in hospital daily since January 21 this year after she was detained.
Mr Nyamvundu has not yet thought of the names for three of the boys , but it is certain one will be named Onias, “after my name.”
Mr Nyamvundu said he will throw a party after the discharge of his wife and children to celebrate the birth of his quads.
The couple have two other children, a boy Tendayi (7) and a girl Patience (3). They are staying with grandparents at Inyanga.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
Mothers of multiples sometimes need to be hospitalised during the final weeks of the pregnancy, and most multiples are born before term, hence the need to treat such pregnancies with utmost sensitivity
Multiples have higher health risks, too, because of their likelihood to be born prematurely and to have below-normal birth weights, which can cause medical and developmental problems.
Giving birth to multiples presents greater health risks to both the mother and babies. Also, there are many emotional, financial, and logistical challenges faced by the parents, and they end up receiving humanitarian assistance from well-wishers.
It’s important to find health care professionals who have experience with multiple births, and to see health care providers recommended, so that they can be on the lookout for problems and treat them as needed.
The Nyamvundu quadruplets are now 46 years of age. It would be interesting to do follow-up stories on multiple births to see how they are faring.
Online Reporter