Around the world, 2020 will be remembered for the tragedy wrought by coronavirus. But at Mercy Hospital for Women in Heidelberg, the year ended on the most joyous of notes with the safe arrival of the beautiful Yemez quadruplets.
The three boys and a girl arrived within four minutes of each other in the middle of the afternoon on Wednesday 30 December.
First to enter the world was Adem Omer whose birth weight was 1,424g; then came Isa Muhammed at 1,621g. The only girl, Leyla Asya, tipped the scales at 1,418g, with the final arrival, Ezel Hamza, weighing 1,500g.
Fusun and Sinan with their ‘awesome foursome’
Speaking to Mercy Health at the end of January, mother Fusun Yemez says her babies — who are still in the nursery — “are doing great”.
“They are out of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and no longer need their monitors. They are now sleeping in open cots and regulating their own breathing,” she says.
Fusun speaks highly of the care, compassion and effort of the Mercy Hospital for Women staff.
“The amazing doctors, midwives, nurses and others made this a calm, gentle and well-cared-for experience for all our family,” says Fusun.
“The NICU and Special Care Nursery (SCN) staff are angels on earth and we pray that God blesses them for all that they do, not just for our quads, but for all the babies who require intensive care.”
Sleeping soundly
Mercy Perinatal Obstetrician Dr Alison Fung, who guided Fusun through her pregnancy and delivered the babies, told Fusun and her husband Sinan that the chances of a spontaneous quads delivery was one in 800,000. It is just the second time in the history of Mercy Hospital for Women that quads have been delivered.
After managing to reach 31 weeks’ gestation, the quads were delivered by caesarean section and spent just over a fortnight in the NICU.
“2020 was a challenging year for all of us, making this such a good news story,” says Dr Fung.
“So many team members played a role in the mother and babies’ care and support. We have every reason to be very proud.”
Fusun, Sinan and their two-year-old toddler, Arda, all had time to process the probability of amultiple birth.
When Fusun had her first scan at five weeks, she was told there was a chance she might be carrying as many as four babies.
It was all hands on deck in the Special Care Nursery
Dr Fung said it was the next scan only a few weeks later that confirmed the exciting news.
“What needs to be emphasised is that Fusun’s birth and care comprised a huge team effort,”Dr Fung says.
“The operating theatre for the delivery was close to a full house, requiring a cast of close to 30 theatre staff including anaesthetists, a large neonatal team and Mercy Perinatal obstetric staff.
“Later the NICU team and then the SCN staff members worked tirelessly to ensure the babies received the best possible care and were able to go home safely.”
It is amazing to come in every day and see them bigger, better and stronger, all thanks to the caring Mercy staff.
For Fusun and Sinan, the appreciation comes from the bottom of their hearts.
“It’s extremely hard leaving them each night, but knowing that they are in the care of these amazing nurses enables me to sleep comfortably,” Fusun says.
“It is amazing to come in every day and see them bigger, better and stronger, all thanks to the caring Mercy staff.”
Mercy Perinatal is a three-pillar centre of excellence in clinical care, education and research based at Mercy Hospital for Women.
At the heart of Mercy Perinatal is a commitment to bringing mothers and babies safely home.
If you would like to make a donation to Mercy Perinatal, please visit mercyhealthfoundation.com.au or call 03 8416 7766.
Last reviewed March 25, 2021.