Follow Up Blog: I Cannot Believe That She Already Had Six Other Children
Posted 30th January 2009 by Natalie, tagged octuplets; multiple births; pregnancy; infertility
I just could not let this pass. I posted a blog yesterday on many issues surrounding the birth of octuplets. After I posted my blog I learned (along with the rest of the world) that this mother already has SIX other young children.
I have been listening to this story and taking in all of the tidbits of information available: the neighbors thought that she was a single mother - apparently the husband has been in Iraq came home for the birth and is going right back; the family lives with the grandparents in a three bedroom 1300 sq ft house; that the mother implanted eight fertilized eggs but never expected all of them to implant and survive; she showed up to her current doctor in her twelfth week and was counseled on her options (selective reduction or maintain the pregnancy) and she chose to continue with the pregnancy. The health of the mother should not be dismissed during the pregnancy of many multiples - what would happen to all of these children if the mother died or became incapacitated.
The doctors read a prepared statement from the mother this morning on the morning shows that requested the public respect their privacy and when they are ready they will share their story of this miracle soon! MIRACLE? There is no miracle here? Do you think this is a miracle?
Let's look at the definition of miracle: an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs; a supernatural act or effect. I don't know......I am thinking that this does not qualify as a miracle - maybe a misstep.
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. How this family will cope and what will become of this family. It will truly be a hardship to raise these 14 kids on a military salary.
This highlights the need for more regulation of the infertility industry - too much power put into the hands of physicians or patients? Is there any psychological review done of the family asking for these procedures? Was this some sort of experiment? Why did this mom feel like six children were not enough? I guess we need to learn more about the family. After all we have not walked in their shoes, right? Just something to think about.
6 comments so far...
The single mother of octuplets born in California last week is seeking $2 million from media interviews and commercial endorsements to help pay the costs of raising the children.
Nadya Suleman, 33, plans a career as a television childcare expert after it emerged last week that she already had six children before giving birth on Monday. She now has 14 children younger than 8.
Although still confined to a Los Angeles hospital bed, she intends to talk to two influential television hosts this week — media mogul Oprah Winfrey, and Diane Sawyer.
Her family has told agents she needs cash from media deals.
Her earning power, though, could be diminished by a growing ethical and medical controversy. Experts believe that the unnamed fertility specialists who gave her in vitro fertilization (IVF) should not have implanted so many embryos, and in choosing to carry all eight to term, Suleman ignored guidelines, risking both the babies' health and her own.
Public reaction has been mixed: Many have asked how an unemployed single mother can raise 14 children, as her first six have already strained the family budget. Angela and Ed Suleman, Nadya’s parents, bought her a two-bedroom bungalow in the Los Angeles' suburb of Whittier in March 2007, but soon after fell on hard times and had to leave their own home.
Flag as inappropriate Posted by JKLD on 2nd February 2009
The other 6 are ages 7 - 2.
I'm sorry, but I have NO empthy for her at all. There are a heck of a lot of women out there who can't have kids, even 1 and this person up and cons some doctor so she can have 14. I don't care how much you love kids, you have to be able to provide for them or the public (i.e. you and me) is going to have to do it. I can understand couples trying to get preggers after many years of trying, but this woman in in her mid-to-late 20s.
Give me a break.
Flag as inappropriate Posted by JKLD on 2nd February 2009
Flag as inappropriate Posted by Momof3Boys on 31st January 2009
Flag as inappropriate Posted by oceans mom on 30th January 2009
Flag as inappropriate Posted by Lori_S on 30th January 2009
Obviously there's something not right here.
Flag as inappropriate Posted by Mom2Rylie on 30th January 2009