Birth of Octuplets Illustrates the Extent of Modern Fertility Methods

Listen to an NPR account of the amazingly rare event as described by a doctor who assisted the birth.

Doctor in Octuplet Delivery Speaks
All Things Considered, National Public Radio
Jan 27, 2009
http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=4&islist=true&id=2&d=01-27-2009

Watch MSNBC Today Show interviews with two more doctors (there were a grand total of 46!) who also aided the octuplet birth.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/28871000#28871000

Yesterday, on January 27, the unbelievable birth of 8 especially tiny infants – octuplets-- inundated media headlines. Several of the 46 doctors and nurses who assisted the delivery gave interviews and updates to news audiences eager to hear about the amazing event – one which has occurred in the U.S. only once before. The Cesarean section birth lasted only about 5 minutes at the Bellflower Medical Center in Bellflower, CA. Luckily, all eight babies were healthy and able to breathe on their own by the end of their first day, despite being born 9 weeks premature and ranging in weight from 3lbs. 4oz to a mere 1lb. 8oz. The mother was reported to be healthy as well although she was closely under watch for possible problems involving an over-extended uterus.

It is almost a certainty that these remarkable multiple births would never occur if not for the infertility treatments being practiced today. A woman having difficulties conceiving may opt to have artificial insemination while ovulating multiple eggs in one cycle, or having several fertilized embryos implanted in her uterus at one time. The option of selective reduction is available for parents that don’t want to undertake the risks associated with carrying a pregnancy of three, four, five, six, seven, and even eight babies. Naturally, the idea of a controlled miscarriage in order to bear one or two healthy children raises much ethical debate, and regardless of a woman’s moral opinion there are always inherent health risks to consider as well. Normally, the female uterus is designed for no more than 2 fetuses at a time. The risk of complications arising for both the babies and the mother is increased with the number of births. Multiple birth children often initially have problems breathing on their own because of underdeveloped lungs and are more prone to asthma later in life. As infants, they are more likely to suffer from seizures. As growing children, they can experience physical and mental developmental issues as a result of their smaller size.

The story of the octuplets can be both inspiring and unnerving at the same time. If anything, it encourages discussion of what some women are willing to undergo in order to give birth to a child of their own, and to what extent are they willing to risk their own health and that of their unborn children? In surrogacy arrangements, this topic is discussed when you begin the process to ensure that you are matched with a surrogate that is willing to either carry a multiple pregnancy, or selectively reduce a high risk multiple pregnancy of more than two fetuses. All parties involved are in agreement prior to the embryo transfer, alleviating any concern as to “what would we do if this happened to us?”