Birth Of Octuplets Spurs Debate

   By drodriguez  Feb 01, 2009
154

One young mother and her eight new babies are causing quite a stir in the news recently.  Because of the details surrounding Nadya Suleman’s case, the ethics involved in the birth of her octuplets has become much debated over.  Suleman, who is a 33-year-old single mother of six children from previous in-vitro procedures, currently lives with her parents.

Nadya Suleman's mother, Angela Suleman, has expressed concern over her daughter’s actions and recently told the Associated Press that she was not supportive of her decision to have more children.  Angela Suleman has told the press that her daughter was obsessed with having children and has talked about it since she was a teenager.

The Associated Press reports that all of the 8 babies, 6 boys and 2 girls, were delivered by Cesarean section.  The babies weighed anywhere between 1 pound, 8 ounces and 3 pounds, 4 ounces.  Seven of the eight babies are breathing on their own while one remains on a respirator.  It took 46 doctors and staff to assist in the delivery of these octuplets. 

Much of the recent debate has been about whether doctors should have offered the 33-year-old mother of six the option to undergo in-vitro fertilization treatment.  Ethicists also question why the doctors would have implanted so many embryos.  And still others worry about how the mother will raise 14 children, now ranging in age from newborn to 7 years old and whether she will end up relying on public assistance.

A former caregiver to Nadya Suleman’s autistic son, Yolanda Garcia, spoke with the Long Beach Press-Telegram about the mother’s recent delivery.  She said, “From what I could tell back then, she was pretty happy with herself, saying she liked having kids and she wanted 12 kids in all.” 

What do you think of the news about the recent octuplet birth?

Do you think doctors are at fault for allowing this mother to receive fertility treatment?



 

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iheartjulie by iheartjulie | San Francisco, CA
Jun 06, 2009

She is a joke. Yes she has the right to have as many kids as she wants but I think there's fine line between right and wrong. Her other kids were left alone at the house while she was in labor with the octuplets. I mean is she going to be able to take care of all these kids!

OlympicTriGirl by OlympicTriGirl | Lexington, VA
Apr 19, 2009

First of all, if the women is unemployed, already has six kids, and is single, how on earth would you be able to pay for an IVF in the first place, considering most unemployed people do not have health insurance. I think this is a completely sad situation because as a person with these factors affecting her life, there is no way that she will have the financial means to support these children. Plus, the one support that she had in the family, her mother, does not support the decision to have more children. The doctor's should have never done the procedure and instead referred her to some sort of psychologist for help in realizing that there is no possible way to take care of 14 kids, single and unemployed.

Teresajane by Teresajane | Columbiana, AL
Apr 01, 2009

This is such a difficult subject. If the woman could not afford to provide her existing children with a home, then I would say that she definitely should not have been offered the treatment. There are so many in the US who can provide a good loving traditional home for children, but are unable to conceive even with fertility treatment. The sad thing is that so many who cannot provide for their children continue to conceive and the children suffer (as well as the economy). I feel like I should withhold my judgment of the woman. I'm sure we will never know the full (and true) story behind this spectacular event.

kissmecath by kissmecath | PERU, IN
Mar 30, 2009

When I see this woman's face on TV, my blood boils! You DON'T have children that you cannot provide for!!!!! Let's see.....who is going to pay for these children to each, get the special medical care they need, send them to school, etc.? WE THE TAXPAYERS WILL PAY FOR IT! I only asked for help from the State once and was told TO SELL ONE OF MY CARS to pay for food!! Never went back. I got another job for a total of two, and paid for everything myself! She just infuriates me!! SHE IS A NUT CASE! Nuff said...

grayce by grayce | SPRING HILL, TN
Mar 26, 2009

I think the doctor should support all of her children until they're all 18. I'm tired of my tax money going towards a psychos dream of a family. This has to stop!

mamanordy by mamanordy | Maineville, OH
Mar 26, 2009

It is not our business. I think everyone should leave her alone. If she wants to have a lot of babies/children, that is her perogative. I think the media is too nosy about this. Leave the woman alone!

blackcat35 by blackcat35 | DOYLESTOWN, OH
Mar 19, 2009

Maybe she's a fan of Jon&Kate plus 8? Even though they didn't ask for a show look at all of the perks they get! Only he works as an IT analyst and now they can afford a huge house and all of those vacations and trips here and there and hair plugs and plastic surgery for her doesn't that sensationalize multiple births?

duvessa by duvessa | El Paso, TX
Mar 17, 2009

In my opinion I think there should be a limit to how many children you can have by in-vitro. The doctors should not have put so many embryos in her this time as the last, if any at all. To me this woman is just obsessed with kids and of course the government is helping her. Not to be mean I know there are people who truly do need the help but she is not one of them. She has made herself one of them so she does not have to work ever. I think she should definitely get her tubes tied now so she can't have anymore and child welfare should watch her closely because she will need to take care of those kids.

iokijo by iokijo | Louisville, KY
Mar 15, 2009

and for the mention of the "crackheads" etc... if you are going to have offspring like an animal and walk away unlike most animals, then you ought to be spayed ..like like an animal. Having and raising kids should be seen as a privilage to do, since it is an incredible responsibility {and I don't mean like only for the rich etc..} Not a right you have just because you can. I feel really sorry for those kids. And this limit is a pain!!!! you want us to comment and discuss... then let us.

iokijo by iokijo | Louisville, KY
Mar 15, 2009

"People use to have lots of kids & it wasn't a problem" they did it usually because of religions telling them birthcontrol was a damning offense...they needed the extra work hands for the farm,and in many cases the infant mortality was high & they were hoping a couple survived... yes in some countries its still the norm. and if its not from one of the above its from stupid men that think their power is proven by a butt load of kids they rarely ever see. as to the women who have a bunch of kids naturally being all right even though they cant afford them... wrong... one while on welfare can be a mistake.. 2 ought to get you inplanted.. you choose to have kids.. you pay for them.

iokijo by iokijo | Louisville, KY
Mar 15, 2009

cont. "A person should be able to have as many children as they want".. BULL.. it takes more than financial ability to raise a stable contibuting person. "Just because you can, does not mean you should".. I have no kids.. not because I can't have them, but because I shouldn't.. I do not have the temperment or personality to raise kids. I have no desire to have a permenent partner [ although I don't think that is a must, but I think a partner helps].. I do not have the genetics for it.. bluntly I'm a medical misfit, and have no desire to pass that to another person. On top of that now I don't have the finacial stability to raise a kid..... "Just because I can doesn't mean I should"

iokijo by iokijo | Louisville, KY
Mar 15, 2009

To all of the posters who commented this was ok because "she loves her childeren".. how do you know that.. because she says so? .. personally I think she "loves" the idea of babies.. that's different than the reality of it. Go work at a daycare. For all the people who can not have children traditionally, I think it's wonderful IVF has come to the level it is at. I wish it was at this level 25 yrs ago for my sisters sake..These people have to go thru so much to be able to have a family, as do those who adopt. I just hate to see what her actions are going to cause in this area...

illysnunu by illysnunu | Oakland, CA
Mar 12, 2009

It's not fair for anyone, even all of us. We're the ones footing the bill for this woman's insane desire to have so many children. And then she has the nerve to ask for donations??? It's appalling. The dr. is so wrong. She is so wrong. I feel horrible for her mother. Does this young lady (I really want to say "twit") realize what a tough spot she's put her mother in? I believe she's way to selfish to have ny children, let alone 14.

lvknisley by lvknisley | Laurel, MD
Mar 09, 2009

Bottom line is what is in the best interest of the children. When going to adopt a child or even a pet for that matter you have to go through a lot before making this happen. And it just seems like this dr who did the in-vitro didnt do his job trying to find out about the mother. From everything I heard the grandmother begged the dr not to do the procedure indicating the mother was unemployed and all ready had so many children. How is she going to take care of them? How is this fair to the kids who are already at home. I have 2 children, I am married and work full time and it is so hard to find quality time to spend with the 2 I have. The thought of 14 is just down right scary!

meowmix by meowmix | peach bottom, PA
Mar 07, 2009

it is also not fair to her mother who raised her family and never gets to take a guiltless break! I raised my kids, love my grandchildren, but their parents will raise them, not me!