A woman has given birth to naturally conceived identical quadruplet daughters, all sharing the one placenta and split from a singular fertilised egg in one of the first cases of its type in the world.
The quads, Emily, Harriet, Alexa, and Catherine Na'amoana, were delivered by caesarean at 28 weeks and four days gestation last week at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH).
Parents Jenitar and her husband Jortham already had four children aged between one and 10 years old and had not planned for another child when the quadruplets were conceived.
The babies were born at 28 weeks and four days and delivered by caesarean. (Supplied: Metro North Health)
The quads are being cared for in the RBWH's neonatal intensive care unit and are said to be doing "extremely well".
Emily weighed 1,025g, Harriet was 1,121g, Alexa tipped the scales at 1,120g and Catherine was the heaviest, weighing 1,151g, at birth.
"Our precious miracles have arrived safely and while our hearts are overflowing with gratitude, the reality of caring for four newborns at once has brought challenges we never could have imagined," Ms Na'amoana wrote on the fundraising page GoFundMe.
Monozygotic quadruplets are estimated at "one in every 15 million pregnancies". (Supplied: Metro Health North)
RBWH maternal fetal medicine specialist Alexa Bendall has been caring for Ms Na'amoana since early in her pregnancy.
Dr Bendall said the pregnancy was high risk and extremely rare.
"Jenitar has taken everything in her stride from day one — we have never seen a spontaneously conceived pregnancy of this type with quads," she said.
"She has somehow dodged every complication and risk for both herself and her babies to be here today, with four gorgeous newborn girls."
Catherine was the heaviest baby born, outweighing her siblings by less than 30 grams. (Supplied: Metro North Health)
Dr Bendall said monozygotic quadruplets, when a single fertilised eggs splits into four distinct embryos during early development, were estimated at "one in every 15 million pregnancies".
"But to share the same placenta, this is unheard of," she said.
"We always said that if we could get her to 28 weeks, we would be doing well, so we are happy she could make it to this gestation."
Ms Na'amoana was admitted to the RBWH last month so she could be monitored in the lead-up to the birth last Tuesday after what she described as "one of the rarest births in the world".
Dr Alexa Bendall has been caring for Ms Na'amoana since early in her pregnancy. (Supplied: Metro Health North)
The family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for a larger van "with at least 10 or 12 seats", essential baby equipment, and help with ongoing medical, travel, and everyday living expenses.
"If you're able to support our family, no gift is too small — every donation will make a real difference," Ms Na'amoana wrote on the fundraising page.
"If you can't donate, we would be so grateful for your prayers and for sharing our story with your family, friends, church, workplace, and community."
