A South African woman will etch her name in the Guinness World Records for giving birth to ten babies in a single delivery after it has officially been conferred. The 37-year-old Gosiame Thamara Sithole claimed that she has given birth to 10 surviving babies through a C-section.
If confirmed, the birth will be a world record that has been held by a Moroccan woman for delivering 9 babies, all are surviving. Gosiame is said to have delivered seven boys and three girls.
The current record is held by Halima Cisse, who gave birth to nine kids in Malia earlier this year.
Multiple births involving more than three babies are rare and often the result of fertility treatments - but in this case, the couple says they conceived naturally.
If confirmed, Sithole's delivery would make it the first known birth of decuplets.
Reports further indicate that the Sithole and her husband Teboho Tsotetsi were expecting eight babies but two babies had apparently missed the scan due to the fact that they were tucked inside the wrong tube.
Ms Sithole said she was worried about the health of her children during the pregnancy, that she experienced a lot of pain in her legs and suffered heartburn, while she struggled to sleep at nights.
Sithole, who is already a mother to six-year-old twins, said she is now seeking funding to raise her one dozen children and appealed for any kind of help from the public.
"It's seven boys and three girls. She was seven months and seven days pregnant. I am happy. I am emotional," her husband, Teboho Tsotets said.
A spokesperson for the Guinness World Records listing said Tuesday that they are aware of the news that Gosiame Thamara Sithole has given birth to decuplets, and added that they have sent their congratulations and best wishes to the family.
"At the current time, we are yet to verify this as a record as the wellbeing of both the mother and babies is of top priority," the spokesperson said.