A Remarkable Arrival of WA’s First Quadruplets in Six Years
The arrival of Western Australia’s first set of quadruplets in six years has been a heartwarming and unexpected event for a Kalgoorlie family. The four babies, born at King Edward Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, have brought immense joy to Belinda and Emmanuel Lotsu, who already have a three-year-old son.
Belinda and Emmanuel had initially believed they were expecting triplets after undergoing a successful IVF journey last year. However, halfway through the pregnancy, they were surprised to learn that there were actually four babies on the way. The news was met with shock and awe, as described by Emmanuel, who shared his wife’s reaction with 9 News Perth: “You could see the surprise on her face. She was so surprised and stunned.”
The four infants—three girls and a boy—were delivered via cesarean section on Tuesday at 32 weeks and three days. Their weights ranged from 1.5 to 2 kilograms, which is considered excellent for such an early birth. Jourdin Ross, a nurse and midwifery coordinator at King Edward Memorial Hospital, praised the mother’s resilience and the medical team’s efforts. “She’s done absolutely amazing getting them to 33 weeks for four babies, growing at the rate that they did,” Ross said. “They’re all doing exceptionally well. They were all born with really good weights.”
Coordinated Care for a Unique Situation
The birth of the quadruplets marked a significant event for the hospital, as it was the first set of quads born in WA since 2020. This rare occurrence required careful planning and coordination to ensure the safety of both the mother and the babies. The hospital implemented emergency scenarios, neonatal care capacity measures, and focused on the overall safety of the family.
“Beyond clinical care, the hospital wrapped comprehensive support around the family,” Ross explained. “Ensuring compassion, dignity and continuity of care during an extraordinary and stressful experience.”
The four babies, named Amy, Amana, Amon, and Amber, are currently being cared for in specialist neonatal services. This reflects King Edward Memorial Hospital’s strong integration with newborn care pathways for fragile and premature babies.
A Rare Occurrence in WA
According to hospital records, there have been 14 sets of quadruplets born in WA, with the last one occurring in 2020. In addition to these cases, there have been two quintuplet births in the state—one in 1989 and another in 1999. On average, WA sees five triplet births per year.
The care provided to the Lotsu family involved a wide range of medical services working together seamlessly. This included obstetrics, midwifery, anaesthetics, neonatology, nursing, theatre teams, and support services. All of this was done under significant time pressure and clinical complexity.
A Quick and Successful Delivery
The delivery of the four babies was remarkably quick, with all of them being born within four minutes. This highlights the efficiency and skill of the medical team involved in the process.
Belinda and Emmanuel, originally from Ghana and now residing in Kalgoorlie, will remain under the care of King Eddies staff for at least a month before they can take their newborns home. Their journey has been one of surprise, strength, and community support, marking a special chapter in their lives.
