Pakistani Woman Gives Birth to Healthy Sextuplets After Extensive Operation

Zeenat Waheed, a 27-year-old woman from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, has given birth to healthy sextuplets - four sons and two daughters - following an extensive operation at the District Headquarters Hospital on Friday. Both the mother and babies are doing well, according to doctors.

The rare event occurred after Zeenat was brought to the hospital on Thursday night with labor pains. She delivered the six babies within an hour, each weighing less than two pounds. The newborns were placed in incubators and are currently receiving medical care in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit until they are cleared to go home.

"The sextuplets and their mother are healthy, and the doctors are providing the best possible treatment," stated Dr. Farzana, the hospital's medical superintendent. Family members expressed happiness at the birth of the sons and daughters.

Why this matters: The birth of sextuplets is an extremely rare occurrence, with the odds estimated at one in 4.7 billion. This event highlights the challenges and joys faced by families welcoming high-order multiple births, as well as the importance of advanced medical care in ensuring the health and survival of both mother and babies.

Sextuplets can be either fraternal, meaning they come from six separate egg and sperm combinations, or identical, which happens when a single fertilized egg splits into multiple embryos. While the popularity of fertility drugs has increased the chances of such large multiple births in recent years, doctors warn that they are best avoided due to the associated risks.

The family now faces the challenge of caring for six newborns, which is an endless job for parents. "This is an extremely rare occurrence," noted a hospital spokesperson, emphasizing the specialized medical care the babies will continue to receive in the neonatal intensive care unit until they are ready to go home.

Key Takeaways

• Zeenat Waheed, 27, gave birth to healthy sextuplets in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
• The babies, 4 sons and 2 daughters were delivered within an hour, weighing under 2 lbs.
• The odds of sextuplets are 1 in 4.7 billion, highlighting the rarity of the event.
• Both mother and babies are healthy and receiving medical care in the NICU.
• The family now faces the challenge of caring for 6 newborns until they can go home.