For generations, the birth of nonuplets nine babies delivered in a single pregnancy was considered almost impossible. Even when such pregnancies occurred, none of the babies survived. That changed with one remarkable family from Mali.
In May 2021, Halima Cissé made history after giving birth to nine babies five girls and four boys in Morocco. Today, the children are thriving, making them the first known set of nonuplets in the world to survive beyond infancy.
Doctors had feared the worst. Multiple pregnancies of this size carry enormous risks for both the mother and babies, with premature birth, low birth weight and other life-threatening complications common. Previous attempts had ended in heartbreak.
The first recorded nonuplets were born in Sydney, Australia, in 1971, but none survived. Another set born in Malaysia in 1999 also died within hours of birth. Because of these tragedies, Cissé’s pregnancy was closely monitored by medical specialists.
After their birth, the nine babies spent months in incubators under intensive medical care. Images of Cissé smiling beside her children quickly spread around the world, becoming a symbol of hope and medical achievement.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the pregnancy, Cissé’s husband, Adjudant Kader Arby, remained confident.
“God gave us these children,” he said. “He is the one to decide what will happen to them. I’m not worried about that. When the Almighty does something, He knows why.”
His faith was rewarded as each of the babies overcame the difficult first months of life.
The survival of the nonuplets has been celebrated as a major milestone in modern medicine, highlighting advances in neonatal care, specialised obstetric treatment and intensive care for premature babies.
Their story has inspired millions around the world and brought joy to Mali during a period marked by political instability and insecurity. What once seemed medically impossible has become a symbol of resilience, hope and the extraordinary progress of healthcare.
The Cissé nonuplets have not only rewritten medical history but also proved that with specialised care, determination and hope, even the rarest pregnancies can have a happy ending.
