In Sokoto, 2 sets of quadruplets born in 2 months
Few months after the celebrated birth of the Illela quadruplets in Sokoto, another set of quadruplets -three males and a female, have been born in the state. Thirty five-year-old Isa Usman and 30-year-old Habiba Isa from Kwannawa Village in Tangaza local government area of the state, who have three other male children, are the proud parents of the new quadruplets.
At the Specialist Hospital Sokoto where the quadruplets were delivered through caesarean section, Daily Trust learnt that they weighed 2kg, 1.9kg, 1.9kg and 1.8kg respectively at birth. Other patients at the hospital shared in the joy of their birth as they paid the quadruplets and their mother special attention.
Mother of the quadruplets - Habiba, who was ecstatic over the bundle of joy, expressed gratitude to God for the safe delivery of the four children.
She said the quadruplets arrived with a male first, then another male, the female among them and another male.
The birth of the quadruplets is the first in the history of their community, though there is history of twin births in the families of both maternal and paternal grandparents of the quadruplets.
Habiba tells of her experience: “I had difficulty carrying the pregnancy right from conception. I just felt weak most of the time. I couldn’t sleep or lie down comfortably, so most of the time I walk about or sit down.”
“There was a day I fainted, and had to be rushed to Tangaza Primary Health Centre for medical attention. I just felt dizzy and breathless before I lost consciousness only to wake up at the hospital.”
She was however glad that all that was over. “I am now looking forward to quick recovery from the caesarean section so that we can travel back home to celebrate the birth,” she said.
Isa, the quadruplet’s father, who is a farmer and shop owner, said his wife visited the Gidan Madi Primary Healthcare Centre for antenatal services during the early stage of the pregnancy.
He however said it was at Binji Primary Health Centre, where she was referred to subsequently, that she was told that she was carrying quadruplets.
“As a result of frequent complaints of fatigue at the early stage, a medical personnel at Kawakawa PHC told her to avoid strenuous chores.
He recalled: “When the pregnancy entered its ninth month and the expected date of delivery was near, we were referred from Binji PHC to Specialist Hospital Sokoto where she gave birth to the quadruplets on Thursday around 12noon.”
The couple expressed appreciation to the Sokoto State government for its assistance to them and the medical personnel for their care and attention.
The two female relations -Suwaiba and Mairo, who have been taking care of the nursing mother since the pregnancy period, said Habiba preferred to eat spinach, zogale, milk and bread.
They were impressed with the attention and support she got from the hospital staff and other patients. The state Commissioner for health Dr Balarabe Shehu Kakale, who was at the hospital, said: “We visited today as part of the ministry’s philosophy on promoting maternal and new born health. We just got the good news that a woman was delivered of quadruplets.”
Kakale stressed on the need for mothers to ensure they take nourishing foods during pregnancy and after childbirth. “Nutritious food is very important in maintaining their health.”
The commissioner donated food and baby items to them.