For most people, giving birth to one healthy baby is a miracle in itself. But imagine giving birth to not one, not two, but five babies all at once. This is exactly what Alexandra Kinova did in 2013, becoming the first woman to give birth to quintuplets in the history of the Czech Republic.
Quintuplets in the Czech Republic
At 23 years old, Alexandra Kinova and her husband Antonin were excitedly awaiting the birth of their second child. Already parents to a son, they were about to expand their family in a way they never expected.
What was thought to be twins turned out to be actually quadruplets during Alexandra’s second ultrasound. And just a month later, the doctors discovered a fifth baby, making it quintuplets [1].
Five Healthy Babies
Alexandra gave birth to her quintuplets via cesarean section, and the whole process went incredibly smoothly. The hospital had a bigger staff on hand, and the mother and babies were held in the intensive care unit to be monitored [1].
The babies were named Deniel, Michael, Alex, Martin, and Terezka, with the Kinovas being overjoyed with their expanded family.
How Common are Quintuplets?
Quintuplets are incredibly rare, often a result of assisted reproductive techniques. In the case of the Kinova family, the spontaneous conception of quintuplets without the use of fertility treatments is even rarer. And according to Dr. Alena Mechurova, quintuplets are born in the Czech Republic once every 480 years on average [4].
Where are They Now?
The Kinova family has been successfully raising their expanded family, with great support from their mothers and the community. While they have faced challenges, they have continued to raise their family with love and support from their family and friends [1].
Today, all five children are healthy and happy. The Kinovas are content with their not-so-little family and have no plans for more children.
Sources:
- ‘This Mother Was Preparing For Her Twins But Then Everything Changed’ House Diver. Published February 23, 2020.
- ‘Czech woman gives birth to country’s first quintuplets’ BBC. Published June 2, 2013.
- ‘Everything You Need to Know About Quintuplet Multiple Births’ VeryWell Family Pamela Prindle Fierro. Published December 3, 2020.
