The story about a woman giving birth to 10 children, but the doctors later realizing that one of them was not a real child, is linked to the case of Gosiame Thamara Sithole in South Africa.
Initially, it was reported that she gave birth to decuplets (10 babies at once), which would have been a world record. However, after investigations, authorities declared the claim a hoax.
Reports found no medical evidence, hospital confirmation, or official documentation proving the birth of 10 babies. Some hospitals denied involvement, and medical tests indicated that Sithole had not been pregnant recently. Her family and the news outlet that first reported the birth have had conflicting statements, and the whole story turned into a widely publicized case of misinformation.
This story circulated worldwide but was later debunked, with Sithole being placed under observation under the Mental Health Act. It appears the claim was fabricated or greatly exaggerated, and the supposed multiple births never happened.
Thus, the narrative of doctors realizing one of the 10 was not a child comes from this misinformation, as the entire birth claim was found to be false upon investigation.