On Friday, October 25, 21-year-old Teddy Apolot from Uganda welcomed quadruplets in a rare and miraculous birth that left her family, the local medical community, and many across the nation in awe.
The delivery, which took place at Katakwi General Hospital, is considered a unique occurrence, with experts noting that quadruplet births happen only once in a million deliveries.
A Miracle Unfolds in Katakwi
Apolot, overwhelmed by the joy of her new arrivals, described the event as a “miracle.”
Speaking from her hospital bed, she expressed gratitude: “This is a miracle! I am very happy, and I thank God for blessing me with four babies.”
Initially, she delivered one baby at her home in Mooam but struggled with the remaining three births, prompting her transfer to a local health centre and, eventually, Katakwi General Hospital, where she safely delivered the remaining babies via C-section.
A Family Blessed Beyond Expectation
Apolot’s husband, Charles Ijukamo, an officer with the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, was equally elated.
He noted that the quadruplets are a precious addition to his family and clan, bringing their total number of children to nine.
“I am thankful to God for blessing me with quadruplets. I never expected this to happen to me,” said Ijukamo, who has already decided to name one of the babies after his aunt, Uganda’s Vice-President Jessica Alupo.
No Prenatal Scan for Apolot’s Pregnancy
Interestingly, Apolot and Ijukamo had not conducted a prenatal scan, which could have revealed the multiple pregnancies early on.
“It is good that we did not do it. Otherwise, it would have put us under undue pressure,” Ijukamo remarked.
The family had previously welcomed five children, consisting of two girls and three boys, making the arrival of quadruplets an unexpected blessing.
Medical Perspective: Quadruplet Births Are Rare and Often Genetic
Dr Martin Duna, a consultant gynaecologist at Moroto Hospital, explained that quadruplet births are extraordinarily rare, noting that he last assisted with such a delivery over two decades ago.
“Naturally, women are programmed to release one egg per month. When a woman releases four eggs, it turns heads. Alternatively, one egg might split multiple times in early stages, leading to multiples,” Dr. Duna explained.
While multiple births are often associated with genetic factors, neither Apolot nor her husband have a family history of twins or multiples.
In recent years, however, technology such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) has enabled many couples to achieve multiple births more easily.
Looking Forward: No Plans for More Children
After the arrival of their quadruplets, both Apolot and Ijukamo have decided to close this chapter of expanding their family.
As of Sunday, Apolot and her babies were under medical care at Katakwi General Hospital, supported by her sister-in-law and hospital staff.
This miraculous birth serves as a testament to resilience, hope, and the remarkable capabilities of modern medicine and dedicated healthcare workers.
