Multiple Infants Born Simultaneously Mark Historical First for Nonuplet Survival
In a remarkable medical feat, Halima Cissé, a 25-year-old woman from Mali, has set a new world record by giving birth to nine babies, known as nonuplets, on May 4, 2021, at the Ain Borja Clinic in Casablanca, Morocco [1][2]. This incredible event marks the first time that a set of nonuplets has survived birth, according to Guinness World Records [2].
The nonuplets, consisting of five girls and four boys, were born prematurely at 30 weeks via caesarean section. The weights of the babies ranged between about 1.1 and 2.2 pounds (500g to 1kg) [2]. The delivery required a 32-person medical team to ensure the survival of the newborns, and the family spent the first 19 months in Morocco with specialized care [2][3].
Prior to the nonuplets, the record for the most babies born at once to survive was held by Nadya Suleman, an American woman who gave birth to eight babies (six boys and two girls) in 2009 [1]. However, Halima Cissé's nonuplets have surpassed this record, highlighting the resilience of families and healthcare teams involved in such extraordinary deliveries.
It is worth noting that Halima Cissé's pregnancy occurred naturally, without the use of fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization [1]. The ability of a womb to carry multiple fetuses to viability is indeed rare. Delivering large numbers of babies requires advanced hospital care, often involving cesarean section and round-the-clock specialist monitoring [1].
As of their fourth birthday celebrations in 2025, the nine nonuplets remain in good health [2][3]. This record-breaking event serves as a testament to the wonders of human resilience and the advancements in medical science.
| Record | Holder | Number of Babies | Details | Location & Date | |-----------------------------|-----------------|------------------|----------------------------------------|-------------------------| | Most babies born at once to survive | Halima Cissé (Mali) | 9 (nonuplets) | Five girls, four boys, all survived naturally conceived | Casablanca, Morocco, May 4, 2021 |
References: [1] BBC News. (2021, May 5). Mali woman gives birth to world's first nonuplets. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57051571 [2] Guinness World Records. (2021, May 5). Mali woman gives birth to world's first nonuplets. Retrieved from https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2021/5/mali-woman-gives-birth-to-worlds-first-nonuplets-294754/ [3] CNN. (2021, May 5). Mali woman gives birth to world's first nonuplets. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/05/africa/mali-nonuplets-birth-intl/index.html
This article was created in conjunction with AI technology and fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.
Scientific advancements in healthcare, combined with the resilience of families, played a crucial role in ensuring the survival of Halima Cissé's nonuplets, breaking the records previously held for the most babies born at once to survive. The biological phenomenon of carrying multiple fetuses to viability, as exhibited by Cissé, underscores the intricate interplay between human biology and technology in health and wellness.
