SA woman reportedly gives birth to 10 babies at once, in what would be a world record

Ama Nunoo June 09, 2021
Gosiame Thamara Sithole reportedly gave birth by Caesarean section to seven boys and three girls in her second pregancy. She already has six-year-old twins with her husband. Photo: Thobile Mathonsi/African News Agency(ANA)

A South African mother could be making a first-time appearance in the Guinness book of records for most children delivered at a single birth to survive. Gosiame Thamara Sithole initially thought she was going to be an ‘Octomom’, only to be surprised on the delivery day with ten babies — seven boys and three girls, Pretoria News reported.

Officials from the Guinness World Records are awaiting certain tests and confirmation from their correspondents in South Africa before Sithole can be officially declared the first person in the world to give birth to decuplets.

“Guinness World Records is aware of the news that Gosiame Thamara Sithole has given birth to decuplets, and we send our congratulations and best wishes to the family,” a spokesperson for the records listing told The Post Tuesday.

“At the current time, we are yet to verify this as a record as the wellbeing of both the mother and babies is of top priority.

“Our records team alongside a specialist consultant are looking into this,” the spokesperson said.

If confirmed, Sithole will overthrow a record set just last month when a 25-year-old Malian woman, Halima Cisse, gave birth to nine babies in a hospital in Morocco.

37-year-old Sithole is already a mom of six-year-old twins. She welcomed her babies at a hospital in Pretoria on Monday, according to reports. Her husband, Teboho Tsotetsi, said she put to bed by Caesarean section at seven months seven days pregnant.

“I am happy. I am emotional. I can’t talk much. Let’s talk again in the morning please,” Tsotetsi told Pretoria News.

Whereas such multiple-baby births are usually facilitated by fertility treatments, the Ekurhuleni native said hers was natural. During her pregnancy, she was preparing for eight babies and even had a photoshoot with her husband.

Sithole said she struggled to get a good night’s rest but she is grateful for a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery. “God made a miracle and my children stayed in the womb without any complications,” she said of her “hard” pregnancy. “I just pray for God to help me deliver all my children in a healthy condition, and for me and my children to come out alive. I would be pleased about it,” she said to Pretoria News during an interview before she had her babies.

Last Edited by:Mildred Europa Taylor Updated: June 9, 2021

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