California mom gives birth to 8 babies
Associated Press
San Jose Mercury News
Posted:01/26/2009 05:46:34 PM PST
BELLFLOWER — A woman gave birth Monday to eight babies in a span of five minutes, only the second time in history live octuplets have been born, doctors said.
The mother, who has not been identified, gave birth to six boys and two girls weighing between 1 pound, 8 ounces, and 3 pounds, 4 ounces, doctors at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center told The Associated Press.
The hospital had scheduled a Caesarean section for seven babies, but doctors were surprised when an eighth came out at 10:48 a.m.
"My eyes got to be the size of saucers," Dr. Karen Maples told the Los Angeles Times, explaining her reaction to the last birth. "We just went on and delivered the babies." She said the babies were in stable condition and would probably remain in the hospital for at least two months. She said the mother should be released in a week.
Kaiser spokeswoman Myra Suarez said she could not release any information about the mother, including her condition or whether she used fertility drugs.
"They are all doing the best they can," Suarez said.
"They were all screaming and kicking around very vigorously," Dr. Harold Henry said.
The first live-born octuplets were born in Houston in December 1998. They were three months premature and their weights at birth ranged from 11 ounces to 1 pound, 11 ounces.
The tiniest infant died of heart and lung failure a week after being born. The surviving siblings — girls Ebuka, Gorom, Chidi, Chima and Echerem, and their brothers Ikem and Jioke — turned 10 in December.
Their mother and father, Nkem Chukwu and Iyke Louis Udobi, said they are astonished and grateful their children have grown up to be healthy and active. They are now in the fourth grade.
Chukwu said the mother of the octuplets has much to look forward to in the coming years.
"Just enjoy it. It's a blessing, truly a blessing," Chukwu said. "We'll keep praying for them."
Dr. Richard Paulson, director of the fertility program at the University of Southern California, said that if the babies were born prematurely they may face serious health risks, including possible breathing problems and neurological damage. The mother faces an increased risk of hemorrhage, said Paulson, who did not have a role in the delivery.
Associated Press
San Jose Mercury News
Posted:01/26/2009 05:46:34 PM PST
BELLFLOWER — A woman gave birth Monday to eight babies in a span of five minutes, only the second time in history live octuplets have been born, doctors said.
The mother, who has not been identified, gave birth to six boys and two girls weighing between 1 pound, 8 ounces, and 3 pounds, 4 ounces, doctors at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center told The Associated Press.
The hospital had scheduled a Caesarean section for seven babies, but doctors were surprised when an eighth came out at 10:48 a.m.
"My eyes got to be the size of saucers," Dr. Karen Maples told the Los Angeles Times, explaining her reaction to the last birth. "We just went on and delivered the babies." She said the babies were in stable condition and would probably remain in the hospital for at least two months. She said the mother should be released in a week.
Kaiser spokeswoman Myra Suarez said she could not release any information about the mother, including her condition or whether she used fertility drugs.
"They are all doing the best they can," Suarez said.
"They were all screaming and kicking around very vigorously," Dr. Harold Henry said.
The first live-born octuplets were born in Houston in December 1998. They were three months premature and their weights at birth ranged from 11 ounces to 1 pound, 11 ounces.
The tiniest infant died of heart and lung failure a week after being born. The surviving siblings — girls Ebuka, Gorom, Chidi, Chima and Echerem, and their brothers Ikem and Jioke — turned 10 in December.
Their mother and father, Nkem Chukwu and Iyke Louis Udobi, said they are astonished and grateful their children have grown up to be healthy and active. They are now in the fourth grade.
Chukwu said the mother of the octuplets has much to look forward to in the coming years.
"Just enjoy it. It's a blessing, truly a blessing," Chukwu said. "We'll keep praying for them."
Dr. Richard Paulson, director of the fertility program at the University of Southern California, said that if the babies were born prematurely they may face serious health risks, including possible breathing problems and neurological damage. The mother faces an increased risk of hemorrhage, said Paulson, who did not have a role in the delivery.
