In brief
A 34‑year‑old mother in Brisbane gave birth to four identical sisters at only 28 weeks, a super rare pregnancy described as "extremely high‑risk" by the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. The baby girls—named Emily, Harriet, Catherine and Alexa—are thriving in the NICU and expected to reach full term. Doctors say naturally‑conceived quadruplets are about 1 in 15 million, and the family has launched a successful fundraiser for a multi‑seat van. The story has captured hearts nationwide, showcasing the resilience of both mother and babies.
A 34‑year‑old resident of Brisbane, Jenitar Na'amoana, gave birth to four identical girls in a very early delivery that has stirred emotions across the nation. The babies—named Emily, Harriet, Catherine and Alexa—were born at 28 weeks and 4 days via caesarean section on 14 July.
These quadruplets are monozygotic, meaning a single fertilised egg split into four embryos, a medical event that occurs roughly once in 15 million pregnancies. Doctors warned that the process carried a high risk for both mother and babies, and the hospital admitted Jenitar for intensive monitoring when she reached 25 weeks.
After the birth, each girl’s journey to be healthy began in the neonatal intensive care unit. The pair’s grandparents and around seven other family members are already staring out of the windows as the babies slowly push toward full term. Dr. Alexa Bendall, who led the maternity care, praised the mother’s flawless handling of the pregnancy’s complications and said the quadruplets are "doing extremely well."
The family’s relief and gratitude also sparked a fundraiser to purchase a van that can seat up to ten people, as their other children range from one to ten years old. Donations surpass $37,000 AUD, demonstrating community support for this newly expanded family.
Beyond the medical drama, the story shines a spotlight on the rare joy of identical quadruplets. While the odds of such a birth are around one in 700,000, the family’s experience reminds everyone that miracles can happen with surprise—and “heavenly” preparation.
For the baby girls, Dr. Bendall said naming one after her signified a beautiful tribute—an appointment to the future known in the NICU as “Alexia’s time.”
