A woman in Katsina state in the northwest of Nigeria has been called the most fertile woman in the country because of the number of children she gave birth to.
IMAGE VIA BBC
Hajara Shu’aibu has given birth to twins twice, nine singletons, and now she has given birth to quintuplets, for a total of 18 children.
Giving birth to five, she said was no different than her experiences with one.
IMAGE VIA BBC
She delivered the babies at home with the help of midwives before they were taken to the Funtua General Hospital to check on their health. Sadly, two of the babies passed away after their birth.
When they arrived at the hospital, she said, she was given more blood and was told that she was able to rest.
The stay-at-home mom has said that there is no different food or anything else that she does that makes her give birth to many children.
“It’s only the power of God, I don’t eat anything special that makes me give birth more.”
The new mom appealed to the government and her community to help with resources to take care of the children. The chairman of Faskari local government in Katsina state helped them with 100 thousand Naira but more was needed.
Three of the quintuplets are still alive and they are currently at the Federal General Hospital of Katsina with the mother to receive better care.
The Funtua General Hospital did not have bottles or the proper equipment to look after the babies.
Umar Hussaini, who is Hajara’s father, said that he married his daughter 21 years ago.
He said, “Hagara is 35 years old and has been married for 21 years. In terms of her number of births, I would say that she is a gift from God.”
When BBC asked Hajara if she will give birth again in the future, she said that the situation is not in her hands, God has everything, “If He wills it, I will give birth again, I will give birth.”
