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 left Belinda stunned and overwhelmed, as described by Emmanuel.
“The surprise on her face was clear,” he said. “She was so shocked and overwhelmed.”
The four infants—three girls and one 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 premature babies.
Jourdin Ross, a nurse and midwifery coordinator at King Edward Memorial Hospital, praised the mother for her resilience and the medical team for their 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.”
The birth of the quadruplets, the first set in WA since 2020, required careful planning and coordination. Hospitals across the state had to prepare for potential emergencies, ensure adequate neonatal care capacity, and prioritize the safety of both the mother and the babies.
“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—Amy, Amana, Amon, and Amber—are currently being cared for in specialist neonatal services. This level of care reflects King Edward Memorial Hospital’s strong integration with newborn care pathways for fragile and premature infants.
According to hospital records, there have been 14 sets of quadruplets born in WA, with the last set arriving in 2020. In addition, there have been two quintuplet births in the state—one in 1989 and another in 1999. On average, WA sees five triplet births each year.
Ross highlighted the complexity of the care provided to the family, which involved multiple services working together seamlessly. These included obstetrics, midwifery, anaesthetics, neonatology, nursing, theatre teams, and support services. The coordination was especially challenging due to the time pressure and clinical complexity involved.
Interestingly, all four babies were born within four minutes of each other, showcasing the precision and efficiency of the medical team.
The couple, originally from Ghana and now residing in Kalgoorlie, will remain under the care of King Edward Memorial Hospital staff for at least a month before returning home with their new family.
