A team of more than 30 people, led by Dr Asma Khalil, delivered quadruplets for the first time in 13 years at St George’s. At the Tooting hospital, Hindu Kaye-Kisambira gave birth to two boys, Ahmed and Ayub, two daughters, Asma and Hana.
The identical twin girls were born first, weighing 2lb 11oz and 3lb 7oz, followed by the boys, weighing 3lb 7oz and 3lb 12oz.
Dr Khalil, Consultant Obstetrician and Multiple Pregnancy Service Lead at St George’s, delivered the babies at 32 weeks via a scheduled caesarean section following a complicated pregnancy.
During Hindu’s pregnancy, the identical twin girls were not sharing the placenta equally, known as “selective fetal growth restriction”. As a result of being smaller than the other twin and having restricted blood flow through the umbilical chord, one of the girls was at risk of dying in the womb.
Due to this, Hindu was receiving twice-weekly ultrasounds to check for any indications that the four children—especially the younger girl—were in danger.
Dr Khalil, consultant obstetrician and multiple pregnancy service lead, said: “It was a great achievement to be able to carry on with the pregnancy until 32 weeks despite the complication, which is above the average gestational age for this type of pregnancy.
“This is really important as the risk of prematurity, and the associated risk of disability, in multiple pregnancy is increased.”
She added: “Quadruplets are incredibly rare, so we were all very excited. It was the first time that most of the people in the delivery suite had been present at a quad birth and so it was very special to be a part of it – I’ll remember it forever!”
Hindu, who already shares a two-year-old son named Haris with her husband Farouk Kisambira, was transported from her local hospital to St. George’s at 24 weeks in order to receive specialized care for multiple births.
Hindu, who already shares a two-year-old son named Haris with her husband Farouk Kisambira, was transported from her local hospital to St. George’s at 24 weeks in order to receive specialized care for multiple births.
She said: “I was so nervous but also really excited. I knew I was in the best hands with Asma.
She added: “I can never thank her enough – it was so lovely to see her reaction when I told her that I’d named the first born baby girl, Asma, after her!”
Dr Khalil added: “Delivering the babies was honour enough – but having one named after me makes the whole experience even more special! I’m so pleased that Hindu and all four babies are doing so well and required very little help post-delivery. It’s a very rewarding experience to be able to give them the best possible start to life and I wish them all the best.”
