The South African woman from Gauteng, Sithole, who gave birth to 10 babies, has come out appeal for help to raise the decuplets, saying she can’t afford the financial and emotional demands.
The 37-year-old Gosiame Thamara Sithole raised many eyebrows when she gave birth to her decuplets at a hospital in Pretoria, breaking a world record held by Malian Halima Cissé, who gave birth to nine children in Morocco last month. Doctors predicted she will give birth to 8 babies but her 7 boys and 3 girls have got the world surprised as it hasn’t been unheard of.
Per this, Sithole might get her name in the Guinness World Records. However, this doesn’t guarantee her financial aid and as such come out to seek help.
In an interview with a media house at her family residence in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, Sithole, who is a retail store manager mentioned that she won’t be able to return to work due to the situation she finds herself in at the moment.
Sithole who is already a mother of twins disclosed that she has exhausted all her life savings after taking a leave of absence from work when she was only 2 months pregnant.
“I was sick and left my job early and decided to stay at home because I couldn’t cope. I realized I was battling and decided to quit earlier than expected because my body couldn’t take it anymore and decided to stay at home until I started feeling better”.
Sithole quits her job to take care of unborn children
According to Sithole, working is no longer an option for her. She also stated that her current salary won’t be able to cover the cost of helpers she will need to take care of her babies. She appealed to the general public to help her meet her immediate needs such as clothes, baby formula, diapers, and accommodation for the decuplets.
“I appeal to the public to help me in whatever way they can. Anybody who has anything I would appreciate it. I am relying on my mother-in-law now. She is old, lives on her old age pension, and has grandchildren. I will also need people who can volunteer to help me raise the children – helpers”.
That notwithstanding, it is worth mentioning that Sithole’s husband is also currently unemployed.
It can be recalled that after Sithole gave birth, her husband, Tsotetsi disclosed that his wife gave birth to the kids both naturally and by cesarean section. He further revealed that his wife has been in the hospital for 29 weeks.
“It’s seven boys and three girls. She was seven months and seven days pregnant. I am happy and am emotional. I can’t talk much”
Guinness Book of Records investigate the issue
Meanwhile, Guinness World Records stated that it was investigating the claim of Sithole giving birth to decuplets. If Sithole gets her name in the Guinness World Records, she only;gets the title for ‘Most children delivered at a single birth to survive’.
However, the record holders don’t get paid for their achievements. According to a statement on the Guinness World Records website, it read: “We do not;pay record-breakers for their achievements or for carrying out a record title attempt. We are also unable to cover any expenses, offer sponsorship, or provide equipment for anyone attempting a record”.
Nonetheless, the Guinness World Records for most children delivered at a;single birth to survive is currently held by Nadya Suleman, who;gave birth to six boys and two girls in California, US, in 2009.
