IN what would be called a rare case, a 25-year-old woman in Mali has given birth to nine babies “nonuplets” in Morocco.

Halima Cisse was flown from the north of the West African state to Morocco by the Mali Government for her better medical supervision and safe delivery March 30. She was initially believed to be pregnant with septuplets according to multiple ultrasounds which were performed by the health-care specialists in both Morocco and Mali. The woman has now given birth to five girls and four boys, the government authorities told local news outlets.

Moroccan health ministry spokesman Rachid Koudhari told Africa’s Khaleej Times that it would be the first time that the country has witnessed such a rare scenario, and the detection of nonuplets in the woman’s womb shocked the West African nation.

Medics had earlier suggested that Cisse needed special care and that’s when the government officials had decided to take the mother to be out of the country for a better medical checkup.

Earlier Tuesday, an American woman, who had remained oblivious about her pregnancy, also gave birth to a baby, although under challenging circumstances on a flight from Salt Lake City to Honolulu. Lavinia Mounga was traveling to Hawaii on a “getaway” when she started having contractions mid-flight. Fortunately, nurses and doctors, who were also on board, immediately rushed to her aid. (SD-Agencies)