The city of Chittagong witnessed a rare medical and social event when Enni Akter, a woman from Satkania, gave birth to quintuplets after a decade-long struggle with infertility. On the night of 8 December, Enni delivered three daughters and two sons at People’s Hospital, leaving both the medical community and local residents amazed by this extraordinary development.
Enni and her husband had faced years of disappointment despite undergoing multiple fertility treatments. Following medical advice, they chose intrauterine insemination (IUI), a process that increases the chances of conception for couples struggling with infertility. Their determination to become parents, even in the face of financial hardship, is now being hailed as an inspiring story of resilience and hope.
Doctors report that all five babies are currently receiving critical care at Park View Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. The weights of the three girls are 1.6 kg, 1.5 kg, and 1.4 kg, while the two boys are each approximately 1 kg. Due to their premature and low birth weights, the infants will be closely monitored for at least 72 hours to ensure they remain stable.
Dr Farida Yasmin Sumi, an infertility specialist at Rangamati Medical College, highlighted the psychological and social challenges the couple faced. She noted that prolonged infertility had placed a heavy strain on their marriage and had caused significant emotional stress. “This outcome is nothing short of miraculous. To achieve a successful birth of five children after years of struggle is exceedingly rare,” Dr Sumi stated.
While the mother’s health is stable post-delivery, the father, a small business owner, expressed both relief and concern. He is thrilled by the birth of his children but anxious about the expenses associated with their medical care. Despite these challenges, the family is overjoyed, welcoming the quintuplets as a beacon of hope and happiness after many years of heartache.
This remarkable event has sparked widespread interest, not only in Chittagong but across Bangladesh, prompting discussions about fertility treatments, the possibilities of multiple births, and the resilience of couples facing infertility challenges. The story has become a symbol of hope for many couples enduring similar struggles and serves as a reminder of the extraordinary miracles that modern medicine can sometimes achieve.