Octuplets born in Bellflower [UPDATED]

A woman has given birth to octuplets at a Kaiser Permanente hospital in Bellflower, hospital officials confirmed today.

Updated at 5:10 p.m.:  Two physicians who helped in the deliveries said they had planned in advance for the C-section deliveries but were expecting only seven babies. They got six boys and two girls.

“My eyes got to be the size of saucers,” Dr. Karen Maples said, when it became obvious there was an eighth child. “We just went on and delivered the babies.”

“The orchestrated delivery went off without a hitch,” added Dr. Harold Henry. “The babies are all doing well and the mom is also doing well. There were no complications from the surgery, to the best of my knowledge.”

Henry said that hospital physicians and their assistants practiced two dry runs ahead of time.  “We planned well, and it was well executed,” he said.

Maples said 46 people were involved in the deliveries.

“It was exciting, a little anxious,” she said. “But we were prepared.” She said the mother should be released in a week but that the babies would probably remain in the hospital for at least two months.

The six boys and two girls were born between 10:43 a.m. and 10:48 a.m, the doctors said. The babies each weighed between 1 pound and 15 ounces to 3 pounds and 4 ounces, the physicians said.

Updated at 5:50 p.m.: Dr. Richard Paulson, director of the fertility program at the USC Medical School, called the event “unbelievably rare. When people use fertility drugs, 80% even then are single births. The vast majority of the others are twins.”

Still, fertility experts consider the birth of more than two kids with fertility medication to be not a medical triumph, but “a serious complication,” Paulson said. “We do not ever intend to give someone octuplets.”

Usually, he said, births of this kind are brought on by fertility medication, not in-vitro fertilization. Often, during the medication, several of the mother’s eggs are fertilized. In most cases, Paulson said, the mother chooses to reduce the number of fertile eggs to two, “to make sure the two remaining babies will have the best chance at having good health. To have all those babies, the mother would choose to have selective reduction. Apparently the mother made the decision to carry all the eight babies to viability.”

Updated at 7:20 p.m.:

At a Monday evening news conference, the team leaders -- Maples, Henry, and Dr. Mandhir Gupta -- beamed like new parents. “It was a truly, truly amazing delivery,” Maples said. “We have been talking about this delivery for weeks on end. That’s why when we discovered the eighth, we were so well prepared.” The doctors will do predawn interviews today with ABC’s “Good Morning America,” CBS’ “Morning Show,” NBC’s “Today” show and CNN. The doctors said the children, born nine weeks  premature, were in incubators in stable condition, as was their mother. The two girls and six boys weighed between 1 pound, 8 ounces and 3 pounds, 4 ounces. Five of the infants are breathing on their own. One has needed some help breathing, while two are attached to respirators.

KCAL Channel 9 reported that the babies were born today and quoted a doctor as saying they were “doing quite well.”

In 1998, the first known set of octuplets was born in the United States. The six girls and two boys were born in Houston. One of the babies later died. The others survived and recently celebrated their 10th birthdays.

Read the full Times story about the octuplets.

-- Sam Quinones, Jeff Gottlieb and Carlos V. Lozano

Comments

[Albert J Pryor]

While it can be said that ALL live births are to be appreciated as gifts from God, at what point does such a multiple birth cease to be practicable as far as the care and feeding of such a brood? After the excitement and publicity die off, will the need for the care and concerns be any less tasking? With estimates of the average cost of raising just ONE child through high school years approaching $150,000, I hope the proud parents are millionaires.

[ESTELLA DAVIS]

THERE IS GOD, THERE IS HUMANITY, THERE IS BEAST. WHAT ARE WE WHEN WE GIVE BIRTH (OR RISE) TO EIGHT OFF SPRING AT ONCE?

[Naruto]

Omg now the six boys can get marrried with six girls

[Tanya Siekman]

Congratulations! Prayers heading out for "feeders and growers" and no complications during the NICU stay.

Job well done to Mom!

Tanya
Mom to 4 year old triplets

[lb]

Thats what we need. Human litters. What a miracle.

[nmoore6676]

God the creator put in place certain natural obstacles in order to control certain things like population; people unable to have children should rejoice and enjoy those of their friends and other family members. It is not necessary for every person to procreate. When we play with the natural order we get these kinds of problems. How will this family support so many children?

We have created antibiotics and we have killer bacteria. We cut the trees and we have climate issues. When will we learn that we are not quite as smart as we believe?

[amanda]

This is a disgusting story. It is irresponsible to be having that many children, even if they were the richest parents in the world. Adopt 8 if you need that many kids- there are more than enough kids needing adoption. We are overpopulated enough on this Earth and don't need any extra people living American lifestyles consuming most of the world's resources. Replace yourselves if you have to, with 2 kids, maybe 3 if you have to, but 8 is just ridiculous, especially since they are frankenstein babies. Sickening.

[Emilee Joslin]

WOWWWW.
thats insane. those parents have NOOOO idea what their in for.
i thought sextuplets were a lot!

[joy]

I'll be praying for them! No matter your beliefs, these babies deserve a chance.

[Fined for Littering]

This is an insult to the planet. Nobody needs eight children, and certainly not all at once. It's an abomination of good science: these techniques were developed so that desperate couples could have a child or two, not eight. Isn't it time we stop breeding indiscriminately? Oh, wait a minute - these are the kids who are going to grow up and pay off our multi-trillion dollar national debt! Have another eight, lady.

[Jean-Paul Travers]

It's a beautiful world!

[bill]

wow they are going to be busy

[John Mac]

Wow, that is some amazing stuff dude!

RT
don.james@ntlworld.com

[paul]

wow thats crazy! an instant family!

[jonny]

i thought this said "woman gives birth to octopus" :(

[Rushain]

It a Miracle. I wish then and their parents all the best.

[Sarah]

Thank the lord those babies are doing so well!!! It takes a strong person to see this through when you realize there's so many babies comming. This couple couldn't have gone into this wanting or expecting to have so many babies. The people talking at how ungodlike it is to have so many babies, would you rather they "selectively reduce" those babies??

[Fiona]

Holy painful birth Batman, that's a LOT of babies!

[Taylor]

Why is everyone judging them so harshly? This either they're problem or they're gift. If they wish to have 8 children that is why they live in America. It's they're choice. Who cares if she couldn't have children before? It is not taking away from Gods plans to go on fertility drugs. You cannot possibly know how much they wanted a baby and lucky them they managed to have 8. You cant say if its wrong or right because it's not your problem and its not your life.

[bev]

OMG.......WOW......8 babbies all at once.....t parents r neva gona hav a minutes peace eva again,....! just think of all t dirty nappys! i wish them all t best of luck & hope all 8 babbies grow big, strong & healthy & are aloud home as soon as possible! x

[Bonnie]

The fact that this family did not chose to selective reduce during their pregnancy shows they must have a strong faith. No one should be cruel in their comments or judgments to or about this family. God will be with them and while they will not have an easy life they will have a very full life rasing all these children. Couples who turn to fertility treatment do not expect more than one child as the doctors stated in the article. Then need support and prayers not judgment and ugliness.

Proud mom of 4 year old triplets!

[Irene]

OH SHUT UP! Who cares how these babies came to be. In the end they are still humans and therefore deserve a chance. So it wasn't a natural conception. If you wanna talk about religion. god gave us the gift of knowledge and gift to learn, he has therefore already given his blessing to this family.... and what's this about rejoicing if you can't have children? If you want to continue to talk about religion, women were given a gift to reproduce. I mean even rachel after so many years was able to give birth, and so is the case with this woman. god gave this scientist the knowledge to create something so that this woman could bare children. there are so many bad ppl out there. maybe these 8 will make up for all that...god bless them

[Mommaof3]

To those that are saying someone should just rejoice the fact that they are unable to have children, you obviously have never been in that situation of wanting a child so badly and not being able to. I have 2 beautiful children and one on the way, and they are all the product of fertility drugs. We were devistated at the possiblity of never having children. God and medical science made that possible. Good for this family of 10! I'm sure they never intended on having 8 children all at once, but maybe that is God's plan for them. How could someone who wants children so badly decide to do selective reduction? It's just not an option after you get to the point where they were at. I hope those babies will continue to do well and get home safely soon. Congrats momma!!!!

[Shannon]

First off congrats to the mom who had to endure that pregnancy. Best of luck and many prayers your way.

I also want to say shame on you people who are not classy enough to keep your harsh words to yourself!!! Just because you would not be able to handle such a thing does not mean that the mother of these children is totally incapable of doing so. Every person and every situation is different and for you to judge this mother's desire to be a mother is rude and down right ignorant. Have you ever had sleepless nights crying out to God or whomever you serve, begging for just one child, one. That's all you want. I myself have been there. I couldn't have children with out a little help from our "new science". This science has given me the greatest gift of all after many long nights of pray. And guess what I am having two at the same time does this make me an abomination to the world of science. God knows everything from start to finish and has given scientist and doctor's the knowledge they have to help other have a family which is biblical sound!

If you are going to judge, judge the scientist and doctors who have not perfected this "science". Do you even know the probability of conceiving one child nonetheless 8. Do you think she didn't know the reproductions of continuing with the pregnancy? She herself could have died! She did what she felt was right for her and her family not you and your family.

You know what about the people out there that have 13 children and are not on welfare, and are certainly not millionaires and do all right by their children, who grow up with more morals than most. I guarantee you if you look in your genealogy you will find a LARGE family who survived and thrived and eventually that large family trickled down to you!

[Jack Fertig]

Obviously this raises all kinds of problems and questions -- personal, ethical, and technological. It's easy -- and very true -- to say the world is overpopulated, but wherever women are educated and have choice the birthrate drops. Let women learn and make their own choices. The rate will go down and every birth can truly be a blessing. This new mother of eight is very happy with all her children, so let's share her joy.

The harsh, nasty judgments on this discussion really are shocking. For the relilgious ones: Judge not lest ye be judged!

[Bill]

Okay, I to those who believe this is strictly a private decision to have a litter of eight children, I tell you that you are absolutely wrong. 47 doctors were involved in this spectacle. Who pays for all of that? There will be MILLIONS of dollars of medical bills associated with this nonsense. I doubt these parents are paying for all of that. Let's not even get into the lifetime of care for these kids, whom, many experts say, may very well have significant developmental challenges due to the fertility drugs used. This is not natural and affects us all. Humans are not rabbits and should not try to breed as if they were. If this couple could not have children and wanted them, there are thousands of children in California that need homes. But I guess this way they get their 15 minutes of fame.

[jamia]

Girl i know you not having nooooooooooooooo more kidsssssssss you doing i hope so

[paul]

Good luck to those eight babies.

Please, please, please LA Times do a follow-up story on this family 4 to 6 years from now. Please let the world know what kind of issues a litter of 8 kids presents to their parents, uncles, aunts, grandparents, cousins, teachers, babysitters, nannies, pediatricians and social workers. Not to mention their checking account. The burden of deciding to keep 8 babies after going through fertility treatment is larger than these parents can possibly imagine.

[Mciehlle]

My husband is a doctor and he believes it is malpractice to allow these 8 embryos to go full term. I agree. Now each child will tax the insurance company, Kaiser, at approximately 1/2 million a year...so about 4 MILLION DOLLARS to ensure the health of developmentally & physically disabled babies. Not to mention what all the learning disabilities will cost the school system to provide all of the special accommodations they will need in "least restrictive environment". I am a teacher and a farmers daughter, and I can simply say that I feel sorry for the insurance, company, the school system, for the cost this will be, when so many others are not able to get what they need. This is not a gift from G-d because it is unnatural for humans to produce "litters" they are not dogs, cats, etc... even horses only have 1 or 3 max... large mammals do not have natural litters. so don't confuse fertility treatments with the work of G-d. This is just grossly negligent on the part of medical professional--and unreasonable on the part of the parents....because no reasonable people would choose to consciously bring into the world, 8 sickly--unintelligent people to further tax our insurance and educational systems.

[lupe]

All the very best to this family...every child deserves a chance.

[Renee]

This is endangerment of children & the planet. The hospital care of them will be in the millions. Sad story.

[Bree]

I agree with Taylor. As long as the family has the money and time and love for the children, then it's no one's business how many children a family has! I wish them the very best, God bless them.

[Teko]

Hahaha... Laughing at "woman gives birth to octopus"
Too funny!

[Ted]

Wow. My dog has had litters with less offspring.
Difference is, she was capable of taking care of them.

[Skip]

Does anyone know if the mother is "Legal"? I still remember the last story the Los Angeles Times ran about the illegal alien mom who used fertility drugs and ended up with 10 kids, all at California Taxpayer expense.

[Barb in Akron]

I heard she's an illegal and we the taxpayers are gonna foot the bill. For the rest of their lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[renni]

All I can say, is that this family obviously is NOT doing this for the fame and attention and freebies, like SOOO many other mutiples parents being that they choose to remain anonymous. I wish them the best....

It is those families (Jon Kate +8) (Jones Family) (Masche Miracles) that are sickening. They are all over the place expecting everyone around them to pay for their kids.

[e.d.]

What ever happened to the goal of zero population growth?
Replace yourself and no more.

It's like watching late great planet earth for real.

[Connie Aitken]

Wow!! I'd just like to say a HUGE CONGRTS to the parents and well done to all those involved during thr delivery. Um may you please, please please post pictures of these wee angles as soon as. Of course only with their parents consent

[Jessica McDonald]

Congrats to you and your babies and may God bless you to treat them with love and care! God bless you!

[huh.]

Why the heck is people putting god into everything.
Mother nature did the job. NOT GOD
Hey its not my problem to take care of all 8, good luck for her. thats what i have to say

[mylo]

god nor mother nature had anything to do with this, just drugs,scientists with sick minds experimenting on people.more like frankenstein. going full term was'nt just a risk on mother and babies,but what about if they were all still born,would it have made the news then, i bet not.the scientists would have just gone back to the drawing board and found another"subject"how are they going to afford anything,what with this recession and all.i can only just afford to look after myself,let alone 8 kids. just wait till hands are held out.all you that say its god, will actually be paying for them. i bet you wont see god putting his hand in his pocket the.its wrong.if its gods will, she would have had them naturally. for some reason, "god" did'nt want them to have kids. now who's playing god,eh. ask your selfes that?

[mylo]

what a load of crock...you dont even want to no the truth

[larry]

WOW! talk about population growth. What goes in California, should stay in California. I'm hoping the superbowl will drown out this welfare baby momma news.

[SteelerGirl]

I dont think this is a miracle.... I think this is medicine or science at work.

It certainly goes against the nature order of things. I wish them the best now that the babies are here but I certainly hope they are in a position to pay the thousands if not millions in medical bills. Not to mention the money it costs to raise all those babies.

[Amanda]

I think it's amazing that the children are doing well. I hope that they manage to do well and grow to be loving, smart, productive members of society. :) I also think it's amazing that people think this family intentionally set out to have 8 babies.. are you kidding me? They were praying to God for one I'd imagine. It's an amazing thing for multiple babies to be born. No family wishes for this. I figure that God gives that many children to people that have the ability to handle it. Now those Duggar people that have 18 children... that's different. They're insane and have willed that upon themselves.

[holly]

congratulations!! i wish you the best and a great fun-loving life full of goodtimes and smiles!

[Lawyer24]

YES YES YES. This woman's comment hit the nail directly on the head, thank you!

Miracle it is not, pathetic and desperate childless people will all praise the lord, but reality and the future are much darker than eight incubators lined up in pinks and blues.

"My husband is a doctor and he believes it is malpractice to allow these 8 embryos to go full term. I agree. Now each child will tax the insurance company, Kaiser, at approximately 1/2 million a year...so about 4 MILLION DOLLARS to ensure the health of developmentally & physically disabled babies. Not to mention what all the learning disabilities will cost the school system to provide all of the special accommodations they will need in "least restrictive environment". I am a teacher and a farmers daughter, and I can simply say that I feel sorry for the insurance, company, the school system, for the cost this will be, when so many others are not able to get what they need. This is not a gift from G-d because it is unnatural for humans to produce "litters" they are not dogs, cats, etc... even horses only have 1 or 3 max... large mammals do not have natural litters. so don't confuse fertility treatments with the work of G-d. This is just grossly negligent on the part of medical professional--and unreasonable on the part of the parents....because no reasonable people would choose to consciously bring into the world, 8 sickly--unintelligent people to further tax our insurance and educational systems."

[Kayla]

Nice to know where my tax dollars are most likely going.

[momofboys]

She is not giving her name yet but it said the mom will go through the list of freebies. I bet she is an illegal alien. Who would sacrifice all their children? These babies are going to have a very tough life and we are going to pay for it not the parents.

[Kristy]

Well after reading though all the comments I feel sad that there is so much negativity. Jesh! I have done IVF twice with no luck and now facing a surrogate so how ever the babies get here, it's a blessing. Good luck to the parents! I sure hope there is enough money to support the family!! The kids better get good at a sport and or academics to help with college bc all the college money will be spent on diapers! grins. I hope all 8 stay healthy and mom and dad stay married.

[gina]

I honestly hope you people do not consider yourselves "AMERICANS"! This family probably didn't mean to have 8 children in one pregnancy, but when fertility is needed generally a couple eggs take, and there are a few miscarriages along the way. I personally agree fully with pro-choice and the fact that women can choose to have an abortion in our country, so who is to say that women who WANT their children and have tried so hard to prepare themselves instead of getting "knocked up" should be so harshly ridiculed. It makes me sick to think that it is anyones business (taxpayer or not) to be so cruel to this family. Life is a gift and at least we aren't murdering their children because we live in a country where we are only allowed to have 1 kid. This might not be a miracle, or an act of god or whatever you want to call it, but its none of YOUR business, and let this family be happy. Hopefully you rude people out there can maybe become a little more stable in your own lives, and realize that you live in the best country in the world where things like this are possible! I would never wish death upon anyone, ever... but if any of you become ill with cancer, etc. may you never use the cure that will be found by one of the CHILDREN in this world. All of our parents had to have us in order for us to be alive and I sure as hell think your parents would be ashamed of you... either that or you were raised in some dysfunctional family who obviously didn't teach you to love and be loved. Congratulations to the family who now has 8 more little hearts to love, best wishes and good luck!

[Elaine]

Its's amazing all negative comments these people will hear! If you must leave negative comments just know that nothing you can or will say will bring this couple down! This is a blessing. I wish them all the best! I pray all the babies grow up healthy and without any problems but if complication arise I know that these unselfish people won't wish they had had selective abortion! As for the cost, we spend trillions supporting other countries. I'm happy to think some of my tax dollars are staying in our country!

[Nicola-KiwiChick]

Firstly CONGRATS going out to the parents, WELL DONE!!!!!!!
Secondly........To ALL those that have posted negative comments.............
WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE????? The mother obviously thought long and hard about the impact of having these tots would have and she obviously decided that they can handle it.............So why dont you narrowminded folks out there just leave em alone and get on with your own lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ED]

I think the mother and father should be charged with crimes against the environment. There is nothing so damaging as having a child who in turn for 80 years l damage and pollute the environment.

There is a real shortage of water in this state. In san Diego residents are being asked to cut back by 20 gallons per day and this woman willingly does something like this!!!

I hope they make in the seven figures to support such a large family and can afford to send their brood to private school because I don't want to pay one penny to support the decision of one so careless with regard to the safety of the planet.

But...
I will bet anything that the familiy is 'not' wealthy.
I will bet anything that neither the mother nor father have collage degrees.
I will bet anything that they are going to use this litter to suck the life out of the already dying state of California.
In fact has anyone but me noticed that the father or marital status of the the mother. (Couldn't be that religous to have children out of wedlock now can she).
In fact I will bet my house that this person isn't even in the country legally and that she had planned from the start to use this brood for monitary gain.

[Anja]

OMG! like Apu´s wife!! Manjula! she had octuplets! XD

[Misty]

It is absolutely hilarious to me the people that are making comments about these babies being a drain on society, when you can't even spell or construct an intelligible sentence. Before you go around starting debates, maybe you should learn how to effectively present your case without sounding like a moron.

Personally, I don't want to say one way or the other as to how I feel about someone else having 8 babies. That is not for me to judge. It's not my life. And I don't want people like you sticking your nose into my personal decisions. The fact that we are all sitting here analyzing whether this mother was right or wrong in her decision is outrageous. Who are we to say??? And the doctors? Well, doctors can only advise patients; they cannot force them to do anything. If this mother chose not to kill off any of these babies and go full term, all the doctors could do was to give her to best medical care as possible – which is exactly what they did.

Finally, for all you California residents complaining about illegal aliens taking your tax dollars... YOU SHOULD MOVE OUT OF CALIFORNIA and stop paying State taxes!! If you pay taxes in CA, you are supporting illegal aliens and their children. Period. So if you don't like it, move!! I paid for my own college education... illegal aliens in CA get theirs for free. What's that about?? I’ll never live there. If you don’t like it, leave the state of California. Sorry, Arnold.

[Mary]

Well, I don't think the mother was an illegal if she delivered at Kaiser. She must be employed to have Kaiser unless she's paying out of pocket for her medical insurance.

Second, this isn't a miracle from "God" because she obviously took fertility medication in order to get pregnant. God obviously didn't want her to have children or else there wouldn't have been the need to fertility medication.

I was listening to the radio this morning and they were saying that the mother was a single mom who already had 5 children. Not sure if this is true but if it yet, this is really irresponsible on her part.

My grandmother had a stroke and she is suppose to go to Kaiser in Bellflower but because of this mother and her 8 kids, she has to remain at a different hospital because there is too much media covering the story. We were told that the hospital was closed and not excepting any transfers at this time. Truely sickening!

[angie]

I jsut want to see a "before burth" photo.

[A.M.]

What a wonderful miracle! Yes, even though the birth of these babies came by
way of modern medicine/science, the births are miraculous. I don't know whythe
Media does not want to mention the names of the mother and father. Yes, she is
married and I believe the couple is African-American (Black). That is the reason
for Jay Leno's "Katrina" joke- which was funny. (You know Jay Leno.) It would be
great to show a picture of the proud parents of these eight babies. This accomplishment did make history. Good luck to all!

[A.M.]

What a wonderful miracle! Yes, even though the birth of these babies came by
way of modern medicine/science, the births are miraculous. I don't know whythe
Media does not want to mention the names of the mother and father. Yes, she is
married and I believe the couple is African-American (Black). That is the reason
for Jay Leno's "Katrina" joke- which was funny. (You know Jay Leno.) It would be
great to show a picture of the proud parents of these eight babies. This accomplishment did make history. Good luck to all!

[A.M.]

What a wonderful miracle! Yes,even though the birth of these babies come by
way of modern medicine/science, the births are miraculous. I don't know why
the Media does not want to mention the names of the mother and father. Yes,
she is married and I believe the couple is African-American (Black). That is the
reason for Jay Leno's "Katrina" joke- which was funny. (You know the humor of
Jay Leno.) It would be great to show a picture of the proud parents of these
eight babies. This accomplishment did make history. Good luck to all! And I hope
this message gets displayed because so many people are still hateful toward
others. Sometimes certain messages/comments don't get posted. Thank you
for posting this one.

[Georgi]

Congratulations to Mom and Dad on the arrival of the Eight! Amazing and wonderful. Invest in a good camera or two as the kodak moments will be fast and furious I'm sure. So here's hoping everyone is well and the wee ones plump up quickly and breath strongly on their own and that there are no further complications.

To the surprising number of thoroughly nasty, mean, cruel, selfish, racist and ignorant people who posted such vile, disgusting and bigoted thoughts, all brought on by the birth of 8 children; who are you people? How can I identify you when next I visit LA. Are you all good church going folk? Many of you seem to be. One nasty piece of work couldn't type out god, she had to type G_d. Does she think that hides the filth in her mind that she aim at people around her? Oh, and ED@6:56 who thinks the parents should be charged with crimes against the environment. Tell us what you drive ED, and don't lie. Do you recycle by the numbers? So so many of these idiots. Is it always like this or has this family brought out the wingnuts in force?

Tell you what. Suggest to this family that they move north to Canada. We love children up here. And we don't whine about the medical costs. We didn't start the recession and tho we are getting walloped by bad Bush policies of the past we are in much better shape up here than you down there. In all of Canada our population is about the same as the your state. We have lots of room and water. And no we are not going to sell it. We need it. Our education system is better up hear too. We can handle 8 more:)

[American]

This family already has 6 -count them 6- kids. This was a frankenstein experiment gone wrong. The American taxpayers are already supporting the other kids. This is unbelievable.

[Mary]

This is an abuse of the medical system. I doubt these people have the money to pay for the medical care themselves, so taxpayers are paying for it in an already tough economy. They already have 6 kids, so the doctor is unethical who allowed this to even start. This is not a miracle, it is a man-made disaster. God had no part in this.

[Ruth]

People, you don't know how these babies were conceived so stop throwing darts.

Those of you that speak about God then pray to God for these 8 babies to be healthy and make it through their early delivery.

I can't phathom some of your nasty comments. These are human children that were born! I'm sure no one planned on 8 but that's the way it is.

You're not paying for their upbringing so let the parents worry about it being they all live.

[katt]

Ridiculous! 8 babies! They are so low in birth weight that some if not all of them will have some sort of disibility, whether it be physical, mental, etc.... And supposedly this "super Mom" has like 6 kids already and is already on supposed goverment & state assistance......so yeah, I'm really thrilled that I can work my butt off to take care of my family and my paychecks that are so overtaxed can help take care of her and her growing brood. I understand all you bleeding hearts out there about a woman wanting to have a child of her own, but I'm telling you, you can adopt a child and love it just the same as if it were from your belly. Stop being so ignorant and selfish, loving a child is not about YOU it's about the child. Enough already!!!!

[Bernie]

Here's one for the record:
This family ALREADY HAS SIX CHILDREN!
Why do they need any more?
When is enough REALLY enough?!?!
C'mon folks...14 children?!? Who is paying to raise all these children?
Answer: You and Me!
I had my two...has anyone heard of "zero population growth"?

[GodSeesYou]

Pro-life forever!
Good job Mommy!
Raising eight babies will be hard, but worth it.
Eight lifetimes of joy.
God's blessings are upon you, no matter what any *sickos* say about overpopulating the earth! If they think we're heading for overpopulation, they should feel free and kill themselves *since they have the option* instead of advising people to have abortions.

[No assumptions]

You people are assumng alot! No one said she took fertility medication, no one said she's on welfare (but it's okay to have 8 babies on the welfare roles as long as it's one at a time?) No one said this was assisted reproduction.

Until you have the facts don't assume anything including that there are 6 other children. I have not heard that, where did you dig up that one?

It doesn't matter what the birth weight is, it's the gestational age and development of the organs. 31 weeks is pretty far for 8 babies in the womb at 1 time. There are many health babies born at 31 weeks alive today.

Actually, this isn't any of our business. It's the parent's business. Don't you have anything else to do than trash someone else's happiness?

I hope these babies continue to thrive and prove those that feel they shouldn't be here WRONG.

[barbe]

Helloo, there is no "Dad", so to speak. This was done by fertility treatments. This woman already has 6 children by the same method, and is single, unemployed and lives with her elderly parents, who tried to stop this insanity. But apparently she found one Dr. who was willing. And you who belong to Kaiser will end up paying for it. Her parents are stuck with raising the kids. What cracks me up, that this mother wants to nurse all 8 of them. Yeah, right, like around the clock. Shows her state of mind. I feel so sorry for her parents and for the kids too, all of them.
Barbe

[rose]

This is terrible. Mom has 6 children already. She should have herself
fixed. No way can she take care of all these children.
God please watch over the children.

[Joe]

First this is single mom with 6 kids already. Who know who dads are? Now she brings a liter of 8 kids into an already over populated world. These babies will cost taxpayers millions. They already have. I think this is criminal and should not have been allowed. How many families will not be able to get heath care because so much money is spent on them. Someone said they are humans and deserve a chance. Then I say increase taxes to pay for people responsible like this. By the time they are 18 taxpayers will be out 100 million. But care for them will be for the rest of their life if there is brain damage.

I bet she will have more kids.

[sapna Jain]

CONGRATULATIONS................A very good news to entire world.
We are happy to hear,Our best wishes.

Sapna.

[Annie]

Conceiving 8 children at once is an oddity even with IVF, which apparently this woman had, according to a story the Times posted today.

Only unethical fertility doctors allow this to happen. Most will implant 3 at the most just so there isn't such a potentially harmful health situation for mom and babies alike.

So it's not like this is an accident. And it's unfair to judge the many couples who responsibly choose fertility treatments. Stories like this give them a bad name.

[YHW]

Holy cow! Eight! I don't fault the parents for wanting a large family or for refusing to "reduce" the number of embryos. How do you decide which child to kill?

But whatever fertility clinic decided to implant EIGHT embryos at once has some serious questions to answer. They were the ones in a position to ultimately limit the number that went into mom at any one time. What were they thinking?? They were gambling with mom's health.

[William]

More power to her! Maybe in a year or two she could have some more fertility "treatments" and produce say 5 or 6 more. A gift from God or maybe the taxpayers of California.

I don't want to sound critical: but what is going on here? The doctors at Kaiser Bellflower (and I am very familiar with that institution) are gobbling up their 15 minutes of fame. But I can bet that not a one of them will take a dollar out of their pocket and donate it to the care of these children.

Well, better start thinking about the PRE depression that we are all in now. Should last a good 5 years! That will distract me.

[Deborah]

This is a single woman who already has 6 children! This is the most irresponsible thing I've read in a long time. Not blaming those poor babies (hopefully they will have more brains than their mother or her physicians). I also read she is single. Hmmm....wanna bet who will be supporting these bundles of joy? Me and you.

[Deborah]

Our education system is better up hear too. We can handle 8 more:)

Posted by: Georgi | January 28, 2009 at 05:37 PM

Your education system should teach you how to spell "here" then.

[Shannan]

I'm curious to know more about this family. Now it's being reported that she already had six children. Why would she be taking fertility treatments? Why would she want more children? If she already has six children then this is an irresponsibility of hers and the doctors. In this economy...which we all knew was deteriorating nine months ago...how could anyone possibly have enough money to support 14 children?!!? (Except millionaires, which they are not) The news also reported that she was counseled on what her options were for the pregnancy....Where was the pre-pregnancy counseling on why she would want more children? Where were the doctors to say "This is crazy to do this?" Who paid for the fertility treatments in the first place? And why does no one know where the father is? I am infuriated! IRRESPONSIBLE!! That being said....I hope the babies continue to do well, poor little things, maybe they will rise above the stupidity they were born into.

[Amanda]

OK- here's the deal if you learn all the info people: There's no couple- this woman isn't married. She didn't use in vitro- she most likely took fertility drugs and was already pregnant when she showed up at the hospital for care. She lives with her parents- so I'd say the chance of her having money to take care of these kids is slim to none. And she already had SIX children ages 7 to 2 yr old twins!!! So if you still think this is all so wondrous, then I hope you don't mind your hard earned tax dollars taking care of these preemies, as well as the rest of her brood. 14 kids is almost unthinkable even under the best of circumstances with two good parents and money to take care of them. Let alone when 8 of them are premature and spending 2 months in the hospital and all 14 belong to a single mother. I am a single mom to one 2 yr old and know how tough that is! This lady needs to either have her head examined, seriously, or there is something else going on here that we aren't privy to. The facts in this are too weird. So please stop praising God- this is no miracle. It's the height of human irresponsibility. God had nothing whatsoever to do with this. And yes, if women can choose to ask science to intervene in reproduction, then they can choose to ask science to intervene in removing some of the fertilized eggs- if it's what's best for the babies, the woman and let's face it, our society in general. If God is really the creator, then we shouldn't be using science to second guess him. I believe if you can't have kids, then adopt- there are plenty of children that need good homes. Don't be such an egomaniac that you have to have your "own" kids. Or such a hypocrite to say it's ok for science to create the children, and in this case risk their health and well-being, but it's then wrong for science to remove some because you're then "too principled" in your beliefs that it's suddenly murder and wrong to remove some fertilized eggs. In this case especially, the woman really didn't need any more children anyway if she's taking care of 6 by herself and living with her parents and it seems she was perfectly capable of getting pregnant already!

[6 wasn't enough?]

She had 6 kids already. That wasn't enough? Does she aspire to be Michelle Duggar? Seriously, what's the point of having so many kids?

[liha]

have you heard rumor that she is single?
living with her parents?
ALREADY HAD 6 KIDS?
It was on the radio this a.m.
Why would the insurance co pay for fertility if this was the case.
I can't wait for this to come out if it is true...
criminal child abuse if you ask me

[Laquondisha]

First of all, Canada and Japan and everyone else who relies on our country started the recession - NOT the United States. Maybe if you got off our backs and decided to run your own country for a change, this recession wouldn't have begun or gotten as deep as it has. (that is to A.M. @ 5:16pm who told us to send the kids up to Canada, where they LOVE kids and wouldn't complain about the medical costs... well of course you wouldn't, given your socialized medical system, idiot! If we had it that way down here in the States, we wouldn't complain either!)

This Mom of this digusting brood is already on Goverment assistance (the system that requires we taxpayers get a cut out of our paycheck every week or two weeks to fund those who "need" the assistance, when in reality probably only half of them really NEED it and could have followed smarter paths in life, but were too lazy or dumb). Now we'll be paying for the rest of her kids, I assume. So that is when it transcends the realm of being a "personal" and "private" matter to this woman into becoming all of our problem.. because we're all bearing an expense in this already horrid economy.

Tell me that wouldn't upset you just a TAD, Canada????

THIS MOTHER IS IRRESPONSIBLE. PLAIN AND FREAKING SIMPLE.

[elm]

Amazing. I haven't heard a word about the father. If I was him I would be proud enough to say something.

[Chantel]

What's wrong with you people saying it's sickening! God wants us to Procreate! How dare you say that America is overpopulated and that these people shouldn't have more kids. Maybe your mom shouldve aborted you so that we can room for these babies! It's none of your business if this lady wanted to have 200 babies. It was meant to be. I can't stand the way people look down on humans for having many children. What about the cats and dogs overpopulating the world? Maybe you need to worry more about them and how to help these homeless animals!

[vickie]

This is absolutely insane! I am in the medical field and DO NOT believe any person who has had 6 OTHER CHILDREN needs to do fertility treatments!!!! That is a slap in the face of all the other couples who go through rounds of treatment to have their first child. The physicians need to be examined about their practice. This women, who no where mentions a father of these children or her other six, has six children 7,6,5,3, and 2 yr old twins. They did not state her age, only saying she was fairly young, and lives with her parents. I hope for the childrens sake she has the means, other than goverment assistance, to raise these children on her own. My money should not help fulfill her need to raise a football team!!! Or maybe she is a surrogate for someone and not saying anything, or maybe doesn't want her name released because now she realizes how embarassing her personal life looks. I was an unwed mother of two and married their father, put myself through college and support them by working hard to give them a great life. Two children, not 14!!

[Joe]

8 kids....come on now. Really? Like the 6 kids she already has at home weren't enough? Now they have 14...yes...14 kids. And she lives with her parents. It boggles my mind. So it is not a family of 10. It is a family of 16. THAT IS RIDICULOUS! Good luck to the family.

[Lou]

I believe I read somewhere this young lady is single? What in the world is a clinic doing implanting babies into a single mom of 6 already? The bible says One man and One woman! Not woman and her clinic, I don't think this news is impressive in any way... babies created from the knowledge of science the normal thing now a days... I always thought God gave a man and woman the ability to have a baby... do we ever stop and think there may be a reason why some females and males have trouble trying to reproduce? I think this young lady is another "Jon & Kate" wanna be.

[Rachael Montgomery, Akron Ohio]

Umm-No God didn't want her to procreate, duh!! That is why she was taking fertility treatments. God probably thought like the rest of the educated people who blog here that she DIDN'T need to procreate. This is science (poorly used) that we will be paying for!!

[emily]

Yep! 6 kids already (set of 2 year old twins!) and she goes and does this. There is no father in the picture and the mother lives with her parents. So, fourteen kids! This mother is on Medical and receives welfare checks. How can someone in that situation even be considered for a procedure like that? How will she feed 14 children? This is insane.

[christine forster]

I can not say how irresponsible I find the birth of these children. The women already had 6 children and to choose to have 7(8) more ,,,,,,, well I can't find words for this. I guess she feels that people well donate donate donate and then there can be the reality tv program. As a member of Kaiser and having my insurance go up yearly the thought that I am helping pay for this is more than upsetting. Does the women read the paper listen to the news have any idea of the state of the economy I hope they have tons of money- but I doubt it they well expect to be taken care of by others and the government.
christine-san diego

[Meredith]

no congratulations to the parents-cause THERE AREN'T ANY PARENTS..it's
a single mom who abused the system!! whose gonna pay for 14 children? um..how about the STATE!! stupid people. the doctor's are idiots!! when someone already has 6 kids WHETHER SHE'S MARRIED OR NOT-does not NEED more children..if so..adopt!! how dare they. soo stupid!! 14 kids under the age of 7-no husband & NO ROOM IN their shack? who paid for the invitro?
THE STATE SHOULD ONLY ALLOW 1 CHILD TO BE PAID BY THE STATE- IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN THAT..THEN OOPPSS..SORRY YOU SHOULD OF LEARNED THE FIRST TIME THAT YOU COULDN'T AFFORD A BABY..
this "lady" is irresponsible & ignorant!! stop congratulating her.

[Tynettam]

I'm happy that the babies are ok and i respect her right not to do the selection process,

BUT...I do have a problem with her doing the procedure when she alread has had six healthy kids....staying with her mom and dad........My prayers go out to those 14 children .....

[Meredith]

GOD made the blue prints of the creation of a baby-
the creation is a miracle..not the way it was done..(irresponsibly)
i'm all for fertility drugs or whatever..but
i don't think he-GOD-planned on ONE having 8 at a time!!
plus..he'd "want" them to be married..
off the subject-but you'll get my point-
conception of a baby=miracle..
what if someone is raped & gets pregnant? GOD didn't "plan"
on babies being created out of hate..
this is an example of IRRESPONSIBLE doctors-parent (if you wanna call her that) & technology.

[Rachael Montgomery, Akron Ohio]

The mother won't be feeding 14 kids-the rest of us who have 2 or 3 kids and work great jobs will be feeding them. The doctors who gave her the fertility treatments should be on trial for malpractice. All of us who pay for our insurance get to watch it go up because of morans like this lady (no husband, 6 kids and lives with mom & dad), while the fertility clinic decides to implant EIGHT embryos, in a woman with 6 kids!!! She has 2 year old twins and they think she is having trouble getting pregnant?? A panel needs to look into this practice- and this should be illegal, if you have that many kids or have not given it proper time. No worries from her she will be getting an even larger government check. YIPPIEE

[Linda Schultz]

This lady already has 6 children yet to give birth to 8 more?! WHO'S PAYING FOR THEIR MEDICAL BILLS?? I bet I can tell you who. I'm trying to be stoic about the whole situation but I can't stand when women, who already have a handful of children, continue to have more kids knowing they don't have sufficient resources to support these children. Again, I bet I can tell you who's paying for their 24-hour round the clock care.

[T.K. Ridings]

Everyone keeps saying wait until we hear the facts. Well why aren't we hearing the facts? Why is her family so closed mouthed and secretive about the situation. If you are truly proud that your family just increased by eight, you should let the world know, before we have to read what the news feeds us about it.

[Sarah]

1. Not married
2. lives in parents basement
3. each baby cost 1 million dollars for delivery
4. We the tax payers are footing the bill! :)
5. Priceless

[rita]

She is a single mother already with six children and living with her parents. Now they can add eight more to the mix, 14 Total. No husband/boyfriend just her parents. But I wonder who really is footing the bill for this. I'm sure our tax money will help. I doubt her parents will be able to foot the medical costs and cost of raising these children for years to come. The doctor(s) involved in this fertility mess should lose his/her license. This is not ethical by any means. Didn't they already know the single mother had a family of six already? SHAMEFUL.