Hajara Husseini, 35, was on Wednesday,October 5, 2022, delivered of a set of quintuplets in her home at Doma “A” village,Tafoki Ward in the Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State. Assisted by Asiya Halliru who served as an interpreter, Husseini speaks to OLAIDE OYELUDE about the experience
Congratulations on the safe delivery of your babies. How are the babies doing?
Thanks, the babies are doing fine. Initially, they were five – three boys and two girls. But we lost two of them. One died on Wednesday evening, another died on Thursday morning. So, we now have three remaining – one boy, two girls.
We learnt the babies were delivered at home. Tell us what exactly happened.
I went into labour and delivered the five babies at home on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 around 3am in our village, Doma ‘A’, Tafoki Ward, Funtua Local Government Area of katsina State. After the delivery, I was taken to the Funtua General Hospital before I was referred here, Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, for further treatment and care. Since then, the staff here have been taking good care of me and the babies. As you can see, I am okay. It is only the babies that are being given medical attention.
Before the arrival of these babies, how many children did you have?
Before now, I had been delivered of twins twice. I lost the first set of the twins when they were still infants. For my second set of twins, I lost one of them when he was just one year and eight months or 20 months old while the second one died when he was six years old. After the twins, I had single babies three times before these new babies.
How many children do you now have?
Currently, I have nine children who are alive – six boys and three girls. In fact, two of the girls are married while one of the boys currently attends Arabic school in Kano.
A report quoted you to have explained that all your children were born at home; does that mean you were not attending ante-natal care?
I did attend ante-natal during the pregnancies but the truth is that for someone to go to hospital in Funtua from our village, you would have to pay the okada rider N1,500 as transport fare. So, God naturally comes to my aid whenever I want to deliver and I do it at home.
You’ve had two sets of twins before this set of quintuplets. Do you have a history of multiple births in your family?
No, there is no history of any woman giving birth to quintuplets in our village; none of my family members either; neither my mother nor any of my sisters has had twins. I am the only one God has blessed with all these multiple births.
What about your husband?
He has been with us here since we were referred here on Wednesday. He went out to source for funds and other assistance.
Are you his only wife?
I am his only wife. We were married in 2000; I was 13 years old then. Our marriage is now 22 years old. I engage in petty trading while my husband is a farmer in our village. That is how we sustain the family.
What have been the reactions from your people back home at the village and in the council since you gave birth to the five babies?
People have been showing me support and offering assistance. The wife of the Chairman of the Funtua Local Government Area, as well as others, has been showing support. Some gave us money; some gave us baby clothes and other items. The staff at the Federal Teaching Hospital here have also been supportive.
What about government?
Not yet, but I appeal to our father, His Excellency, Governor Aminu Bello Masari, and his wife to come to the aid of my husband and me. My husband is a farmer and I am a petty trader. If the governor can come to our aid and empower us, we will be able to live a more comfortable life.
Do you plan to stop childbearing after this?
Only Almighty Allah would determine that; our destiny lies with Him and He has total control of our lives, no matter how hard we try.
From your childbearing experiences, what advice do you have for other women?
My only advice is that they should get themselves engaged with one form of trading or the other, so that they can support their family too.
