First quadruplets born in Cagayan de Oro

MANILA, Philippines - It had been a hard and sensitive pregnancy for Emelyn Deoduco who hails from Cagayan de Oro City.

On her eighth month, she delivered not one but four babies through caesarian section.

The Deoduco couple named their quadruplets John Matthias, John Simeon, John Alexander, and John Ezekiel. The newlyborns weighed between 1.6 and 1.7 kilos.

The quadruplets are currently in incubators as their lungs are not yet fully developed and may result in breathing problems.

"They are still adjusting to the environment outside the womb of the mother. They are currently being monitored by four nurses," obstetrician and gynecologist Ellen Ranises told ABS-CBN News.

Quadruple costs

Though happy with the new addition to their family, the Deoduco couple worry over mounting hospital bills and the costs of raising all four babies.

Capitol University Medigal City, where Emelyn delivered the quadruplets, pegs the overall expenses at P1.2 million.

The babies' father, John Robert, is a ship apprentice while Emelyn is a school secretary.

"We're appealing for help with the hospital expenses and also for the needs of our babies, such as milk and clothes. It's really hard for us because there are four of them," he said.

Aside from the newly born babies, Robert and Emelyn also has a one-year old son.

According to the hospital, this is the first quadruplet delivered in Region 10. - from a report of Rod Bolivar, ABS-CBN News Cagayan de Oro City