Octuplets born in California doing 'very well'

[Anonymous]

Could you even imagine having 8 kids at one time? And the kicker is: she thought she was having 7!! Good to know that they're all doing well.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/27/AR2009012700530.html?hpid=sec-nation

[Anonymous]

As a mother of twins I can't imagine. What a nightmare.
All the best to them!

[zumbamama]

wow. I cannot imagine having 8 newborns. and breastfeeding x 8! ouch!

It wasn't in vitro or anything?

[Anonymous]

zumbamama wrote:wow. I cannot imagine having 8 newborns. and breastfeeding x 8! ouch!

It wasn't in vitro or anything?

Yes, the report I listened to (CNN) said there was artificial fertility assistance. In fact, the reporter went on to say that many doctors in the fertility industry are disgruntled because there are "ways" to prevent (extreme) multiple births which dubiously may not have been followed. Not that more babies aren't welcome, but the issue was more for the health of the mother and (all) babies of big multiple births.

I was just amazed that the womb was able to support such weight. The combined weights of all those little babies in one womb of one mother is amazing. Being 9 weeks early doesn't seem that bad - relatively speaking.

[Anonymous]

It wasn't in vitro or anything?

In vitro is actually a very controlled process with extremely low odds of anything more than triplets (and in the vast majority of cases anything more than twins).
Crazy higher order multiples are the result of poorly monitored IUIs (artificial insemination) or clomid use. Or maybe some really freakish natural fertility but I doubt it.

All the best to them! wow.

[zumbamama]

9 weeks...better than me, I was 11 weeks early. Amazing what they can do now.

[Anonymous]

I feel for the poor babies who have been born to such selfish parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel for the poor babies who have been born to such selfish parents.

How so?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel for the poor babies who have been born to such selfish parents.

Here we go with the "selfish" troll again! Like you know the parents and their situation. Yeah, right.

[Anonymous]

Any expression of a controversial opinion inevitably brings the moniker "troll." Sigh...Is it worth explaining?

I know that I would not allow 8 embryos to be implanted in my womb, no matter the magnitude of my desperation to bear biological children. Not taking their health into account is simply selfish. All the forthcoming impassioned protests to the contrary will not change that fact or the developmental and physical challenges these children will have to confront.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any expression of a controversial opinion inevitably brings the moniker "troll." Sigh...Is it worth explaining?

I know that I would not allow 8 embryos to be implanted in my womb, no matter the magnitude of my desperation to bear biological children. Not taking their health into account is simply selfish. All the forthcoming impassioned protests to the contrary will not change that fact or the developmental and physical challenges these children will have to confront.

Almost certainly this was a clomid situation. Those with PCOS especially often ovulate a ton of eggs when treated with clomid. Many doctors then convert to an IVF in order to control the situation. But not everyone can afford IVF. And once there were 7 fetuses not everyone is ready to abort any of them. I agree that 8 at once is likely to lead to developmental issues and would definitely have taken action myself, but selfish is not necessarily the right adjective here.

[Anonymous]

"I agree that 8 at once is likely to lead to developmental issues and would definitely have taken action myself, but selfish is not necessarily the right adjective here. "

Its amazing that the babies were only 9 weeks early. 31 weekers do very well and don't carry the same risk of developmental problems that you see with 25-29 weekers. While I am pro choice, choice means choosing not to abort is as reasonable as choosing to abort. I would never characterize a mother who chose not to abort some of her babies as selfish.

[Anonymous]

1.8 lb 31 weekers are not off to a good start.

This is a very unfortunate situation. Personally, I think that if one is not willing to do selective reduction, one should not use clomid (without IVF).

This situation is comparable to babies born to addicted mothers. Yes, it is legally their right to procreate, but that doesn't make it morally so.

Her doctors should be ashamed of themselves.

[Anonymous]

What a bunch of jerks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1.8 lb 31 weekers are not off to a good start.

This is a very unfortunate situation. Personally, I think that if one is not willing to do selective reduction, one should not use clomid (without IVF).

This situation is comparable to babies born to addicted mothers. Yes, it is legally their right to procreate, but that doesn't make it morally so.

Her doctors should be ashamed of themselves.

Hear, hear! The doctors ultimately bear the most responsiblity for this dangerous outcome. How could one ethically proceed in such a case?