Malian Mother's Nonuplets To Spend 2-3 Months In Incubators

A Malian mother named Halima Cissé, 25, will now have to keep her nonuplets - five girls and four boys for about two to three months in incubators. This was revealed by the director of the clinic where they were born.

Professor Youssef Alaoui of the Ain Borja clinic in Casablanca, Morocco, told the AFP news agency that the case was "extremely rare" and "exceptional".

Medical director Prof Alaoui said that the Malian mother was 25 weeks pregnant when she was admitted to the hospital. Ten doctors, and 25 paramedics were needed to assist with the delivery. He had also said that the lady hadn't used any fertility treatments.

Malian mother was in serious condition

The director then told BBC Arabic that the woman was in a serious condition, and had been bleeding heavily. However, her condition was subsequently brought under control. "The mother is now in a good condition she's not in danger any more. We wish her and the babies a speedy recovery," he said.

The doctors in Mali conducted an ultrasound on the woman and initially believed that she was going to have seven babies. She was then sent to Morocco for her delivery as better medical facilities are available there.

After nearly five weeks, she gave birth to nine babies through a caesarean procedure on Tuesday.

Fanta Siby, Mali's health minister congratulated the medical teams of both Mali and Morocco for the "happy outcome".

Adjudant Kader Arby, the woman's husband is currently in Mali with their older daughter. He said that he is in contact with his wife, and is not worried about the future of his family.

"God gave us these children. He is the one to decide what will happen to them. I'm not worried about that. When the almighty does something, he knows why," he told BBC Afrique.