The record-breaking Malian nonuplets celebrated their first birthday in perfect heath on May 4, 2022. The babies hold the Guinness World Record for most babies delivered in single birth to survive and are the only naturally conceived nonuplets globally.
The nonuplet's father, Abdelkader Arby, said that nothing is better than the first year, and their family will always cherish their experience in raising their kids in their first year. The family had a simple birthday celebration in their home in Morocco where they invited some nurses and a few people from the building.
Birth of nonuplets
The Malian government flew the mom from Mali to Morocco for special care at the 25th week, way before the planned caesarian section on May 4, 2021. Her husband, Abdelkader Arby, had to stay in Mali to look after their three-year-old daughter, EpochTimes report.
Arby and Cissé welcomed five girls and four boys at Ain Borja Clinic in Casablanca, Morocco, at 30 weeks gestation.
The doctors and the couple were not expecting the eight and ninth babies, as their previous ultrasound indicated seven fetuses. Fortunately, the "surprise" did not faze the medical team of "one of Morocco's largest neonatal resuscitation services."
The babies were placed in incubators and were cared for several months after being born. Nurses also provide the babies with the necessary medical and supportive care.
The proud dad met his newborns in October 2021 before returning to Morocco to take care of their three-year-old daughter. He and their firstborn daughter came back to Morocco six months later, in time for the nonuplet's first birthday celebration.
The babies have reached their expected milestones are in good health, Today's Parents says.
It takes a village to raise babies
While in Morocco, the children and the nine babies live in what Arby calls a "medicalized flat" that belongs to the owners of the Ain Borja clinic in Casablanca.
The proud dad, an officer in the Malian army, said that her wife could care for the nine babies because nurses from the clinic helped her. The hospital also provided a menu that has to be given to the children all day to ensure that they are getting proper nutrition.
The babies, five girls, and four boys, were born at 30 weeks. They weighed between 500g and 1kg (1.1lb and 2.2lb) and were delivered through a caesarian section a year ago.
As per BBC, multiple births are so risky that in some countries where abortion is legal, mothers with more than four babies are advised to terminate their babies. Most multiple births babies are born premature, making them vulnerable to health problems like sepsis and cerebral palsy.
However, in their case, the Malian state has put everything in place to care for and treat the nine babies and their mother, the proud father, said. He admits that raising the kids is not easy, but it is "beautiful" and "comforting."
The dad of ten has been grateful to the Malian government for its support.
The nonuplets have not been to Mali yet, but they are already very popular. Family, friends, their home village, and the whole country are very keen to see the babies with their own eyes, Arby said.
