In a remarkable medical achievement, a Korean couple recently became the first in the country to naturally conceive and successfully deliver quintuplets. The birth took place at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, and the medical team faced numerous challenges to ensure the safe delivery of all five babies. This rare and extraordinary event has captured national attention, symbolizing both medical advancement and the resilience of human life.
1. The Birth of the Quintuplets
On September 20, 2024, a 30-year-old couple, both education public officials living in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province, gave birth to three boys and two girls at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital. The quintuplets were delivered via C-section, with the first baby born at 11:37 AM and the last at 11:43 AM. Despite being born prematurely at 27 weeks, the babies are reportedly healthy, though they will remain in incubators for some time due to their low birth weights, which ranged from 736 grams to 969 grams.
2. Natural Conception and Preparation
The couple, who married in October 2023, were preparing for pregnancy when the mother was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and began treatment. Surprisingly, the first round of treatment led to natural conception, resulting in quintuplets—a first in South Korea.
The parents, who met in college and had just begun their married life, were initially overwhelmed by the news of having five babies. The couple affectionately named their unborn babies "Pang Pang," a playful name that later evolved into "Pang Pang Rangers," inspired by the Power Rangers, due to their decision to keep all five babies.
As the mother’s pregnancy progressed, she developed preeclampsia, a condition that can pose serious risks to both mother and babies. This led to the decision to deliver the quintuplets at 27 weeks.
3. The Complex Delivery Process
The medical team at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, led by obstetrics professors Hong Soo-bin, Yoon Young-ah, and Shin Jung-min, prepared meticulously for the high-risk surgery. The delivery required a multidisciplinary team, including pediatricians, anesthesiologists, and dedicated nurses for each baby. The C-section was performed with careful monitoring of each baby's position and condition, ensuring their safe delivery. Each baby was immediately transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for further care.
Outside the operating room, preparations were also extensive. The hospital prepared five incubators, five newborn identification bracelets, and five medical teams, each comprising a neonatologist, NICU nurse, and delivery nurse.
The father, who had been consulting with experts in multiple births, expressed relief and excitement following the successful delivery. However, he also admitted to feeling nervous about the logistics of caring for five newborns, including finding enough space in the hospital for them.
4. A Collaborative Medical Effort
Professor Hong, who led the surgical team, shared that the birth was a global rarity and required extensive planning and cooperation. She credited the success to the joint efforts of various medical departments, including anesthesia and pediatric specialists who rushed to the operating room after finishing their outpatient appointments. Thanks to this collaboration, the mother and her quintuplets were able to safely undergo the complex procedure.
The birth of South Korea's first naturally conceived quintuplets marks an extraordinary milestone in the country's medical history. It is a testament to the power of modern medicine and the dedication of healthcare professionals. Though the journey ahead will be challenging for both the family and the medical team, the safe arrival of these five babies has already been hailed as a miracle.
3-line Summary for you
- A South Korean couple successfully gave birth to naturally conceived quintuplets, a first in the country.
- The three boys and two girls were delivered via C-section at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital after extensive medical preparation.
- Despite being born prematurely, the babies are healthy and are currently being cared for in incubators.
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