By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,
MBARARA
A couple in Nyamifumura , Sheema district was overjoyed after they received sextuplets (six babies) on their first delivery on Good Friday.
The couple, Tumwesigye Vincent and Betonde Gracious, say this was their first birth and stated that both the babies and the mother are in good conditions. The babies were delivered at Neocare Fertility Hospital in Mbarara and were later referred to Holy Innocent Children’s Hospital, Nyamitanga Mbarara for further care.
Speaking to Parrots Media, Gloria Betonde, the mother shared her emotional and physical journey through the pregnancy.
“When it reached three months, it threatened to come out,” she recalled. “I had to consult the doctor who took me for a scan, and we found out that the scan was reading more than one child. It was reading five children. Since then, the doctor gave us some medication.”
From that point on, Gloria was under close medical supervision. “He gave us medication until the day they reached seven months, I could not manage to move Because of the pregnancy, I couldn’t work.”
Her condition became critical, leading to an early delivery. “The doctor decided that I should remove them early because the uterus was threatening to burst. Then on the 18th, that was Good Friday, I went to the theater. They removed the babies. They were all okay, and I’m also okay,” she said with relief.
Tumwesigye Vincent, the father expressed surprise and gratitude, vowing to support his family.
“The scan showed five, but on delivery they were six. So, they were delivered at 33 weeks,” he said. “I will work hard to provide for my family and I urge people to support us financially.”
Dr. Mike Kyewalyanga, a paediatrician at Holy innocents children’s hospital said the babies are still small in size but are being cared for at the hospital where a team of specialists at the hospital is working around the clock ensuring their survival and wellbeing.
“Much as we have these babies, yes, they are small. We expect challenges from the mother. One of the challenges is feeding them,” said the attending pediatrician.
“There are other challenges these babies may get, but we are doing our best to minimize those. One of them is the breathing problem. We have the modern CPAP machines that help them breathe well. We also give them a drug called surfactant, which has tremendously improved our outcome at Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital when it comes to prematurity care.”
Dr. Kyewalyanga said that both the mother and the father still need support to care for their babies
“This mother needs support. The father needs support. And we’re seeing that relatives have gathered and are participating in the care of these babies.”
As the family prepares for life with sextuplets, community members and hospital staff are calling on the public and government to offer any support possible financial, material, or emotional to the couple.
“This is a miracle, but one that comes with many needs,” said a family friend. “We ask everyone to stand with this young couple as they raise these children.”
