8 + 6 = Lots of Baby Talk Around the World
A still-unnamed California mother made global headlines earlier this week when she gave birth to octuplets. Her 8 babies, 6 boys and 2 girls, were born during the 12th week of pregnancy and, although painfully small, their doctors say they are all doing quite well.
If 8 babies generated lots of baby talk, as they did almost everywhere, the revelation that there are already 6 children in the family has generated even more. The octuplets’ siblings range in age from 7 to 2-year-old twins.
There’s been no confirmation that the octuplets were the result of fertility treatments of one kind or another but the babies’ grandmother has said her daughter had been warned about the risks of having so many babies but her daughter chose to keep all embryos viable, apparently under the assumption that not all of them would continue developing. She describes her newest grandchildren as “so tiny and so beautiful.”
Dr. Harold Henry confirms the counseling given to the mother but the choice was hers to keep all seven babies she thought she was carrying. Once the caesarean delivery was in progress, an eighth child made a surprise appearance in the delivery room at the Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center.
Seven of the babies are said to be breathing without mechanical assistance but one of them still needs an oxygen tube in his nose. According to Dr. Mandhir Gupta, all babies are being fed intravenously and won’t be released from the hospital for several weeks.
The babies’ grandfather, sounding as if he’s grown weary of the media spotlight, told reporters this week that, once the babies are released, they’ll have a huge house to call home. He would not say where but did hint that it will be hard for reporters to find.
After learning of the six older children, many conversations about the octuplets have turned to the ethical issues of having so many babies and of using fertility treatments to have babies when there are already six children in the family. There are guidelines to suggest doctors in the US urge their patients to limit the number of embryos they carry to term but doctors have been quick to acknowledge they are not in a position to regulate the size of a patient’s family. As James Grifo said, his job is to “educate patients,” not to serve as “policeman for reproduction.” Grifo, of the New York University School of Medicine, is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology.
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I would love to know how it is that a woman that already has 6 kids is allowed to have this elected surgery, when ppl that need surgery like my husband that has a broken neck ( 3x ACDF non-union) and is getting the shaft all because he has a smoker in the house….. It is ppl like her and millions around the world that have me sooo upset at the goverment and the doctors that will elect to give a person cosmedic surgery but for the millions that really need surgery it is no where to be found!!!!!!!
WHat happened to this country that a person that can die from a neck injury that the doctors have went and told him that he WILL DIE IF HE DOESN’T HAVE THE SURGERY but won’t get off their a$$ to get it fixed…… This woman should be ashamed of herself, one for thinking that she can take care of 14 kids on her own and living with her parents not married and living off welfare…… YOU LADY ARE A DISGRACE……..
This is an abomination. With the world undergoing drastic climate change due to our overpopulation and rape of the planet, for some selfish religious freak to pop out 8 more children after already having 6 is obscene. While I hesitate for government involvement in issues like this - I think it’s up to society to shun greedy, selfish people such as this woman to deter other miscreants from doing the same. We shouldn’t be fawning over her - but showing her derision for being a wanton glutton.
As James Grifo said, his job is to “educate patients,” not to serve as “policeman for reproduction.”
No one says you have to give in to patients desires, either, especially when it is so damaging to society and the world.
I am sickened that this woman has let out that she wants to host a parenting show. There Is NOTHING that this woman can ‘teach’ about parenting. She isn’t paying her bills, coping with a marriage, and all the while loving and nurturing her children. Where are the 6 that she shopped sperm for? At home while she is having 8 more from shopped for sperm? The doctor’s license should be suspended and a really close look at her ‘parenting arrangement’ by CPS should be in order. How fair is this to the 6 from before? Where do they fit into this absolute craziness? I guess since California is swimming in funds right now they will be more than happy to step up to the plate to fund her ‘need’ to procreate. If I hear of one company that is sponsoring her I will make sure that I never purchase from them and I will make it my duty to make the public aware of their ‘buying’ in to this freak show parade. We are talking litters here not children!
i dont understand why everyone is mad at this woman who wanted more babies! Who said your only allowed a certain number of kids? last I checked it was a free country!!!! Also who said she doesn’t have a husband! As for the lady with the broken neck husband go either save some money for the sugery or get on welfare and stop haten on this woman! Non of you commenters know this woman so you cant judge her! who knows maybe she does deserve them maybe not but thats up to god to judge. Im sick of people thinking its a religous reason for whatever happens! and who cares if you dont shop from the company that decieds to sponcer her, this is for the babies needs not hers. Stop being selfish. Ya shes wrong for taking fertilty pills or what not but whats done is done, get over it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nonof your buisness, you need to get real. I agree that everyone should have the right to have as many childern as their heart desires–but only if they are physcially, mentally, and financially able!!!!!!!!!!!! Who do you think is going to pay for these kids? The American people and our screwed up government–thats who. It’s people like you who has helped screw our country into the ground.