A 34-year-old woman from Brisbane has given birth to four naturally conceived, identical quadruplets in what is believed to be an Australian first. Jenitar Na’amoana delivered the girls by caesarean section at just over 28 weeks at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital on 14 July, surrounded by a large support team.
‘One in 15 million’ pregnancy
Na’amoana, who already had four children, was not planning another pregnancy. The quadruplets resulted from a single fertilised egg that split into four, a phenomenon described as a “one in 15 million” occurrence. “This is unheard of … we don’t think it has ever happened in Australia,” said Dr Alexa Bendall, a maternal foetal medicine specialist and obstetrician at the hospital. “There may have been a couple of cases elsewhere in the world and when I say a couple, literally two.”
Surprise discovery
Na’amoana was still breastfeeding her youngest child when she learned she was pregnant again. The family was shocked when scans revealed four babies instead of one. “When they went along and found out they had four babies instead of one they were quite shocked,” Bendall said.
High-risk pregnancy managed successfully
The pregnancy was considered very high risk, but Na’amoana “took everything in her stride from day one”, Bendall noted. “We have never seen a spontaneously conceived pregnancy of this type with quads, and she has somehow dodged every complication and risk for both herself and her babies to be here today, with four gorgeous newborn girls.”
New arrivals and family expansion
The quadruplets – Emily, Harriet, Catherine, and Alexa (named after Dr Bendall) – are expected to remain in hospital for an extended period before going home. Their long-term outlook is positive, according to Bendall. Na’amoana now has eight children.
Community support
The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover medical, travel, and everyday expenses, as well as to purchase a van “with at least 10 or 12 seats”. Dr Bendall expressed her pride in caring for the family: “They are very special. We are very excited to be able to care for this amazing little family, well big family now. One is named after me which is such a beautiful tribute.”
