Mother of Octuplets
As I sat talking with my manicurist, the beauty salon conversation centered on one subject, the 33-year old single mother who recently gave birth to octuplets in Los Angeles.
These are just some of the many questions:
"How can she care for 8 newborns when she already has 6 children?"
"She's a single mom living with her mom, does that mean she doesn't have a job?"
"If she can't afford to live on her own, how can she now provide for 14 children?"
"Who paid for her invitro-fertilization? I understand it is costly?"
"What kind of Doctor would implant 8 embryos in a young woman?"
"Is she on government assistance?"
"She can have twenty babies if she wants as long as she takes care of them."
I participated in the chatter, wanting the answers myself. I understand the mother is now being deluged with offers for book deals, t-v shows and other business ventures.
What do you think about this story? Is this any of our business? Should she be scrutinized because she reportedly just loves having children? Does she have the right to have as many as she wants?
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Be sure watch NBC's Dateline tomorrow night at 10pm, Ann Curry will hopefully ask her all the questions we've been waiting for answers too.
These are just some of the many questions:
"How can she care for 8 newborns when she already has 6 children?"
"She's a single mom living with her mom, does that mean she doesn't have a job?"
"If she can't afford to live on her own, how can she now provide for 14 children?"
"Who paid for her invitro-fertilization? I understand it is costly?"
"What kind of Doctor would implant 8 embryos in a young woman?"
"Is she on government assistance?"
"She can have twenty babies if she wants as long as she takes care of them."
I participated in the chatter, wanting the answers myself. I understand the mother is now being deluged with offers for book deals, t-v shows and other business ventures.
What do you think about this story? Is this any of our business? Should she be scrutinized because she reportedly just loves having children? Does she have the right to have as many as she wants?
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Be sure watch NBC's Dateline tomorrow night at 10pm, Ann Curry will hopefully ask her all the questions we've been waiting for answers too.
Labels: Octuplets
posted by Romona at
3:52 PM
103 Comments:
As a physician, I have to wonder how the insurance company can justify authorizing this procedure and its financial and ethical implications, yet feel comfortable denying coverage for potentially life saving and life extending procedures and drugs for seriously ill patients on a daily basis...
With no means of support and being a single parent, it is the general public who will foot the expenses of caring not only for the newborns and their enormous expenses but for her other children as well. There is a difference between desire and responsibilty that this person hasn't seemed to understand. As for the doctor, he should loose his license.
This poses a real dilemma-actually is it any of our business?
Personally, I believe the woman needs psychiatric help.
I also believe the person who did the in-vitro should be investigated.
And where did the money for that procedure come from?
There are too many unanswered questions.
I'm trying to wait for more information.
Its tough getting it since this story is in Los Angeles, but hopefully we'll learn more depending on what offer she takes.
Thanks for responding.
I loved your point about the difference between "desire and responsibility."
So true.
Ramona, Who foots the bill for these 14 children, the tax payers of course. I feel this is a total LACK of RESPONSIBILITY on her part as well as mediacal personell involved. What is this teaching her children, have lots children and let someone else pay for them.
Her actions irritate me and persoanlly she should GO OUT AND GET A JOB and support her family.
As a physician, are you familiar with invitro?
I was always told doctors were hesitant to implant more than 3 mabye 4 embryos?
Hi David,
The media there in California have not reported whether or not she has a job...just that she lives with her mother with her 6 children and soon to be 14.
If she doesn't get a new house and numerous gifts, who will provide for them.
I was a single mom of just one and had a hard time. I cannot imagine what this woman must be about to go through. Thank goodness she has mer mother for help.
That said, I don't like the idea that people in these positions do the invitro, knowing full-well the outcome could be multiple births and then willingly accept public handouts. For years, large families have been given things; houses, vehicles, diapers, etc. I say you knew what you were getting into so deal with it! That may sound hard-hearted, but I'd rather see Proctor & Gamble or General Motors or whatever company it is giving more assistance to families who are trying to make ends meet after falling on hard times (especially in today's tough times) than give things to someone who practically planned for this.
Hi Single Mom,
Your words may sound harsh, but a lot of people share your same thought.
These are tough times with people through no fault of their own are finding themselves out of work and possibly losing their homes and on the flip side a woman who just loves have children with apparently no plan on how she'll take care of them.
I have a daughter that cannot have children. The cost of infertility treatments is extremely high--the average person cannot afford it. Some insurance companies will cover a small amount and some will not cover at all. I really agree with those that question her stability and question the ethics of the doctor. This should not be paid for by the taxpayer. An insurance company should not pay for a person that is already blessed with 6 children. So many people that want children and can't have them---these fertilized eggs could have been donated.
Something about this story makes me wonder if this woman had this many children to purposely receive whatever gifts would be donated to her and her children, or to possibly get a reality tv show. I don't know enough about this to have a solid opinion, however, I will say that multiple births are dangerous for the mother as well as the children. I would hope she didn't willingly put her newborn children at risk, as well as her other children at risk for losing their mother; all to receive attention and free things.
I believe its a known fact that when there are multiple births, one or even a few of the children can have some medical issues.
I sure hope they will all be okay, though I remember reading they were between 1 to 3pounds.
I too wonder about a doctor who would implant 8 embryos in a young woman, of course they could all take?
I think it is sad that our country is in economic crisis and she adds to our trouble by relying on our tax dollars to pay for her and her 14 kids. There are so many kids who need adoption- why she couldnt do that instead?? I just pray that the kids get enough attention from mom -- would be awfully hard to give one on one attention between mom and baby!! I have a feeling we would need to call Jo, the supernanny, one of these days to their house???
Apparently, she just loves "having" babies...according to her mother. It doesn't sound like she ever considered adoption.
I am a grandmother, and I also love children and would have had a large family of my own, had I been able to afford it. But 14 children with no father on site and no visible means of support, I don't think so. The doctor should definitely be investigated, and the mother's mental state be checked before those babies are allowed to come home.
Perhaps the dr. that did this should take on the responsibility of helping raise the children. There are so many unanswered questions, at that age I, too wanted a large family (not 14!) but was unable to conceive and then invitro was not heard of, we have 2 adopted children that we are so proud of and thrilled at the opportunity to have them and now one beautiful grandchild. I just don't think this was thought thru at all, it is too easy to be gready with what we want and what is logical. I pray that the children get a proper up bringing and are not abused due to stress of too many.
Sounds like receiving gifts and money was her main motivation. Hiring a spokesperson and offering to sell information about the babies is exploiting them and the situation. If media coverage stopped and sponsors ignored her perhaps this would send a valuable message to others who think they can leech off society by publicizing their outragous behavior.
There seems to be alot of anger when people are discussing this lady and her 8 babies. Some think she should go to work to support them but who will take care of the 14 kids??? Either way, tax payers will be paying for her to either stay at home, or they will be paying for her child care expenses. I hope that she gets a couple of books deals and I hope some fool does pay her 2 million for an interview. The tax payers can deduct that from their money. Also, I hope social serices checks in on the kids because I think the mother is no well mentally and they should not have to suffer for their mother and her doctors poor choices.
Drock,
Nice food for thought!
Thanks for responding.
Anonymous,
I did read that some sponsors and big companies were holding back...waiting to see what the public response is going to be...before they offer gifts and freebies.
I don't blame this woman for what she did. I feel she was looking for a meal ticket. Now she can exploit her children like Jon & Kate Gosselin exploit their twins and sextuplets. She probably saw all the freebies they get, along with free trips and tons of donations and thought "why not"? I wish they would keep these families off of TV and stop turning them into freak shows. It's the children who end up suffering. Ask Paul Peterson, http://www.minorcon.org/
I've been following this story closely and it certainly sounds like she had these babies with the idea of free gifts and TV shows floating in her head. How could she not? Watch TLC and all you see are families being handed houses, trips, clothing, and every need taken care of. Watch the Gosselins, the Duggars, or the Roloffs, they all have huge houses (the Gosselins just bought a $1.1 million home on 27 acres) and with the exception of Matt Roloff, not one of these parents leaves the house and goes to work everyday. The Duggars have 18 kids, the Gosselins have a set of septuplets and a set of twins.... and parents that have no job. How exactly does that work? Ahh... the magic of getting your own TV show. Is it any wonder this new mother has a publicist, is looking to be paid $2 million for an interview, and is looking for free products. It worked for all these other families. And word has it that TLC has already contacted her. The Learning Channel indeed.
Hi Sybil,
I would hope a woman isn't crazy enough to have these babies hoping for a payoff? But, I don't know one single woman who loves having children so much she just keeps getting invitro?
As I am reading through everyone's comments, I am holding my 7 week old son who was the result of IVF (invetro-fertilization. It greatly upsets me that this woman went through this proceedure and was implanted with so many embroys. My husband and I had to go through IVF and I begged my DR to implant more then 2 embroys in November 2007 but he would not do so because of chances of multiple births. Sadly, we lost those 2. When it came time to try again with the remining embroys (3 were left out of 9), I was told that 2 didnt make it so I would only get 1 embryo back. My husband and I are so thankful to God that the embryo took and we now have a beautiful baby boy.
We desperatly want to have another baby, to give our son a brother or sister. However, my insurance doesnt pay for it and it is just way too expensive to do the proceedure again :( For this reason, we are deeply saddened.
Because my husband and I struggled just to have 1 baby, this lady who had IVF after having 6 children already greatly upsets me. I believe in my opinion that she is very selfish and irresponsible not to mention the situation she has now put all those children in. Is this lady banking on the fact that people will help support these children? Donate supplies etc? Im sorry, but she doesnt deserve support from people because of what she did. she should have been thankful for the children she had and cared for them. hwat kind of life will those 14 children now have?
As for the IVF doctors, I believe that they were irresponsible and should be under investigation.
This is just my opinion since my husband and I just went through IVF ourselves and now have to pray to God that someday soon we will be able to somehow afford to do it again just to have 1 more child. We are not being greedy, we would just like to have 2 children.
Carrie,
Thanks so much for your thoughts and congrats on your new baby boy.
I will pray that you and your husband are blessed with another.
I too want to hear from the doctor who implanted 8 embryos in this woman.
I just don't get it...Why would anyone want that many BABIES at one time, and then also...why would any DOCTOR implant that many embryos, What happened to ETHICS, what about the oath Doctors take? In my opinion? There's something not quite right with this mother, i think a mental evaluation is needed in this case! I feel for all these babies most of all, as well as the 6 other children !
I just heard Ann Curry of the Today Show here on NBC has been granted the first interview with the mom...so we will be able to see and hear from her.
I'm more interested in hearing from the doctor. He should lose his medical license. This wasn't a childless woman trying to get pregnant, she already has 6. What doctor is his right mind would allow this procedure? This is very disturbing.
I hope this doesn't become a trend. The world is already over-populated. I agree with others that say this woman was out to make a fast buck.
Jocelyn,
I just heard NBC's Ann Curry will have the first interview with her tomorrow morning on the today show.
We'll have picture of her tonight at 11pm.
This woman obviously has some issues. She does not realize the long-term affects this will have on these kids. Why is it the children who always suffer in these situations? She should turn to God and not her uterus. It seems like what she has done to her body has taken control over her life. And if one is feeling lonely and lacking in some area, God is the only one who can remedy this issue. If she were doing things His way she would not have had this many children. And no father, no sense of security. Her parents won't be around for long and then what? It's just not fair to those who can't have children and those who are looking to adopt while she hoards all of these children. It's just not right Romona, ethically and morally, it's just not right at all.
Hi Karen,
After listening to a little bit of the interview...I think she does need help. She says she came from a "dysfunctional" family... and wanted children to fill a void in her life.
Oh, Romona, that's just over the top! Fill a void in her life? If 6 kids aren't filling a void in her life, nothing will. This is truly a sad story and I really don't see a good outcome for these children.
I know, I hate to be judgemental...but it really is sad.
I worry about the children though.
Here's a pic of the new Mom.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/02/post.html
Ok people, the mother was on the Today and she did not sound to crazy (and she kinda looks like Angelina Jolie). She said that she was Never on welfare and she does not expect any handouts. She plans on going back to school in the fall to get her masters degree and that is how she will be able to take care of her kids(don't know if she heard how bad the job market is right now). So, she has already started her "Pay me to Appear" media blitz and I am sure she is being compensated well. I hope the doctor involved with her invetro gets his licenses revoked. All in all, if she makes enough money from her appearances, the taxes payers will be off the hook. With that, I wish her and her children well. Oh, I do expect to see her and her 14 kids on some TLC show in the near future. So move over Jon & Kate plus 8, there is a new mega family in town..lol
Shell,
Did you see her interview with Ann Curry this morning?
I don't think she has a clue about what she's in for.
Does anyone feel sorry for the woman's mother? She has had the 6 children to care for while mommie was in the hospital giving birth. I am 59 years of and could not imagaine caring for 14 children at my age. . . it would be exhausting! I assume Wonder Mom did not consult her parents on her objective to have litters of children and that she would reguire their assistance in raising them. What a mess!
It really is a mess!
She said in the interview she guessed her church would help out.
For the kidsake I hope she does get help. Its not the childrens'fault. They didn't ask for this, so now that they're here...someone has to take care of them and we all know she can't alone.
My gosh, lots of negative comments about this. Playing Devil's Advocate for a minute here...first off, why is it the doctor's fault? Why should he lose his license? If you go to a doctor for IVF you better hope he doesn't have the power to tell you that he won't do it because he doesn't think it's right. Where would he draw the line? If you have 2 kids, you can't get IVF? 5 kids? Who made doctors the baby police? That doctor did his job. I'm sure there is some sort of psychological screening process required for IVF and apparently she passed it.
And to those who say that it's not "fair" for her to have more children because there are some people who have none. That's a ridiculous argument. Is it then not "fair" that some people live better financially than others? Or that some people have a better body than others?
I don't necessarily agree with her decision to grow her family so exponentially, but I will argue her right to do so.
It is our business if the taxpayers are paying to keep them. You have to wonder how she will manage. Did she do this just to get tv deals, book deals, ect. If she did I feel sorry for the children, they deserve a good life and happy home. I wonder about if she was ever married or all her kids by differnt fathers. I am not sure she is being fair to those children. So many times people only of themselves not the impact on the child.
Hi Romona -
Thanks for taking the time to host a blog on this. Like Carrie, my husband and I have gone to great lengths to have children, and unfortunately, we have not been successful. We are doing another try at the end of Feb with a previously frozen embryo. What is truly miraculous about this story, and I have not heard the physicians comment on this, is that the success rate for pregnancy with a frozen embryo is only 25-30% - that is compared with 75-80% for a fresh try - so for all 8 of the embryos to "take" is nothing less than a miracle. Our doctor will under no circumstances implant more than 2 embryos because multiples like these 8 have such a small chance of leading "normal" lives. I agree there should be some more oversight by the physicians and insurance co's. It boggles my mind to think of all the money we taxpayers will have to shell out for the care of these 14 kids! Ouch! God bless her mom, too, for helping her out.
I am complete at a loss when it comes to what this woman is thinking. She is completely irresponsible and so is her doctor. Who is going to care for those kids while she is getting her master's degree? She should also know that no matter how much she earns it will NEVER be enough to provide for all her children. I do feel sorry for the grandmother...grandma may want to consider running away from home. Also I read that the mother was on disability for many years due to some work injury...how was she able to carry 8 babies? The BWC should look into her claim and the medical board should look into revoking that doctor's license!
I really hate to be mean about this situation because those poor babies are going to suffer. There is just no way that she will be able to provide for 14 children – even with welfare– which she states that she will not accept. I honestly think that she expects people to come forward with money and gifts for her. I would not be surprised if Oprah has her on and gives her all kinds of stuff. I’m hoping that doesn’t happen. I would be VERY disappointed in any show that “congratulates” this woman and provides for her. Even if she does get a book deal or a movie deal, that money will be gone in the blink of an eye. Her hospital bill is estimated to be well over $1,000,000. Those babies are going to need medical care for the rest of their lives because of the selfishness of this woman. There are a lot of people that love children. It doesn’t mean that you should go out and have as many as you can. I would love to have a big family but there is no way I could afford it. I’m a single mother with two kids and it has been a rough road. She said in the interview that she is going to college in the fall to get a degree in counseling. First of all, how is she going to go to school with 14 children at home? Secondly, does she honestly think that being a counselor is going to provide for all of them? I realize that she has to do something but she just has no clue whatsoever what this entails. I believe that she has mental issues and needs to be watched closely by childrens’ services.
I head on the internet that the mother was married for several years but did not have children with her husband prior to divorce. Wonder what he thinks of all of this?
I really hate to be mean about this situation because those poor babies are going to suffer. There is just no way that she will be able to provide for 14 children – even with welfare– which she states that she will not accept. I honestly think that she expects people to come forward with money and gifts for her. I would not be surprised if Oprah has her on and gives her all kinds of stuff. I’m hoping that doesn’t happen. I would be VERY disappointed in any show that “congratulates” this woman and provides for her. Even if she does get a book deal or a movie deal, that money will be gone in the blink of an eye. Her hospital bill is estimated to be well over $1,000,000. Those babies are going to need medical care for the rest of their lives because of the selfishness of this woman. There are a lot of people that love children. It doesn’t mean that you should go out and have as many as you can. I would love to have a big family but there is no way I could afford it. I’m a single mother with two kids and it has been a rough road. She said in the interview that she is going to college in the fall to get a degree in counseling. First of all, how is she going to go to school with 14 children at home? Secondly, does she honestly think that being a counselor is going to provide for all of them? I realize that she has to do something but she just has no clue whatsoever what this entails. I believe that she has mental issues and needs to be watched closely by childrens’ services.
I really hate to be mean about this situation because those poor babies are going to suffer. There is just no way that she will be able to provide for 14 children – even with welfare– which she states that she will not accept. I honestly think that she expects people to come forward with money and gifts for her. I would not be surprised if Oprah has her on and gives her all kinds of stuff. I’m hoping that doesn’t happen. I would be VERY disappointed in any show that “congratulates” this woman and provides for her. Even if she does get a book deal or a movie deal, that money will be gone in the blink of an eye. Her hospital bill is estimated to be well over $1,000,000. Those babies are going to need medical care for the rest of their lives because of the selfishness of this woman. There are a lot of people that love children. It doesn’t mean that you should go out and have as many as you can. I would love to have a big family but there is no way I could afford it. I’m a single mother with two kids and it has been a rough road. She said in the interview that she is going to college in the fall to get a degree in counseling. First of all, how is she going to go to school with 14 children at home? Secondly, does she honestly think that being a counselor is going to provide for all of them? I realize that she has to do something but she just has no clue whatsoever what this entails. I believe that she has mental issues and needs to be watched closely by childrens’ services.
I just don't know how she's going to keep up with all of the parent teacher conferences, doctor's appts, after school activities, etc. once they are older. Plus did she think about all 14's college future?
Before seeing pieces of her interview this morning, I thought "Well it's her business if she wants a lot of kids". Then I seen her on T.V. and that woman has some major psychological problems. Do doctors screen for these issues before? I mean she said she wanted a lot of babies because she didn't feel loved as a child, isn't that a red flag?
The mother's reasoning behind having so many children was to fill a void in her life, or to cure her loneliness. This is a pretty extreme way to do so, I mean why not just get a pet and/or get some friends? Or go to church, because only God is going to fill up that emptiness for anyone.
Unfortunately she may be bringing 14 children right into that void of loneliness with her. I believe she is mentally ill and was enabled to do this by others. There should be mental screening required before doctors decide to play God and create babies like this.
That being said I wish her and her family all the blessings and happiness in the world.
But I think it is good this story comes to light, because obviously some laws need to be passed to protect the unborn.
First, who cares what her desire is and that she was lonely as a child because she had no siblings. Make some friends. Besides - she already has six children! Anyway, I cannot imagine an insurance company paying for this procedure knowing that in 9 short months they are going to have an astronomical bill from the hospital. Even if she could pay for the procedure it is still impossible for her to financially and emotionally care for 14 children. Babies need to be held and touched. The six she already has will be forced to fend for themselves and the oldest is only 7! Also, when does she plan on working? Right.... so public assistance will now become a way of life for her because she won't be able to hold down a job. Also, can one even fathom the hospital bill for 8 babies in NICU and a team of 45 docs to deliver them? Do you know who should help raise these kids and pay that bill? The doctor who implanted those embryos. If he doesn't think he's responsible, take his license to practice medicine away. The rest of us will be forced to foot the bill for his incompetance and her selfishness. I lost my job and needed assistance once and couldn't get one food stamp (because I owned a house) and she's managed to get millions of dollars of top-rated care because of some unrealistic "want". She sounds like a child having a fit and it's really sickening. The only sympathy I have is for every one of those kids who, by the way, should be taken from her and put with families who can take care of them properly.
Forget the grandmother - she is going to be out of the picture. Her mother has stated that when her daughter comes home, she won't be there. She seems to be the only one with any sense. The daugher was injured on the job several years ago during a riot at the mental health facility she worked in. She has been on medical disability since that time and has received 168k from the state in disability income for her back injury. She had her other six children while on disability from the state of CA. He is the big question, if you are so disabled that you can not work an office job in the mental health field, how is it that you can go thru six pregnancies?
Good question.
I agree with many of the commenters... the woman has every right to have as many children as she wants. However, to what end. If she is jobless, and has 14 children under the age of 8, she will probably remain jobless. And yes, I believe it is all of us who will support that family. Secondly, why would a health care professional even entertain the thought of doing IVF on a woman with 4 young children.
I wish I was taking a medical ethics class right now, what a great topic of discussion!!!
This is not a comment regarding the mother of octuplets, but a question for Ramona. Where is your co-anchor on the 6:00 news. Did I miss something?
I hope that Childrens Services keeps a close watch on the infants, and at the first sign of mistreatment or neglect, they remove them and place them with RESPONSIBLE families that are willing and able to take proper care of them. As for her attempt to extort support from fools willing to donate to her, I will not purchase anything from companies that lavish their products on her - I worked two jobs to raise my family of 3 children, and would never think to stoop as low as to just crank out a litter to get free products. She's a throwback to the old days of welfare that rewarded people to have as many kids as possible, just to increase the monthly check - which in a number of cases just for alcohol cigarettes, and lottery tickets.
Getting medical attention for people who need it is very hard, and this undeserving woman, has 14 children who we will all pay for. I am a parapalecic and cannot get a decent wheelchair or other equiptment we need because of what we are allowed from medicad or medicare, and I work what is allowed but the government in order to stay on medicare and not loose it. I will be paying for her 14 children and so will the rest of the working population, because of her stupidity. I feel sorry for the kids, I am sure many will have multiple disablities from being born so small. She thinks she is going to finish school to provide for her children. Who is paying for the school, who will be watching the kids while she is in school, and who will give her a job, when she will be having to take care of 14 children who will be getting all the chilhood colds, chickenpox etc. Moms get called home all the time to pick the kids up from school if they are sick. What is she thinking?
If her childhood was so "dysfunctional" then why is she living at home with her "dysfunctional" mom and allowing her to care for her children? If I were her mom, I would leave too to hear such ungratefulness.
Romona,
Yes, I saw the interview. I can't get over how much she looks like Angelina Jolie! It looks to me like she's had some plastic surgery too, lip injections, nose job. I wondered who paid for that? Aside from that, she clearly sounds delusional. I know she wants to do the best for these children, but as a single mother I don't believe it's humanly possible for her to take care of 14 children.
Do you know if she was paid for this interview?
You make a good point.
I think its clear in listening to this woman, she's living on another planet.
Where will those babies live if no one gives her a new home, a van and all the other gifts?
No, She was not paid for the NBC interview...but I hear others are lined up willing to do so.
Unfortunately, whether she lives on government assistance or is given hand-outs by big businesses like Procter & Gamble, we are all paying for it one way or another.
I would prefer not to see future interviews or magazine covers. If she did this for herself and not fame, then let her be. (I loved Jon & Kate in the beginning, but they are straying from "normal" family life too.)
Just please watch out for those children.
As a mom of four boys, I would love to keep having more kids. I love being a mom , being pregnant and seeing my babies born. I can't afford more so I will stop now. You can't tell me that all eight will get the love and attention they need or deserve and what about the other children she has? I feel sorry for all the little ones. She should think about someone beside herself.
As for other families on TV, maybe people should really watch these shows. The Rolloffs had both parents working at one time and have businesses to keep them in money. Jon Gosselin has a job and Kate was a nurse. The Duggars have commercial property and The dad has job. People should know all the facts before they make comments. I do watch these other shows but I wouldn't think of watching if this lady gets a show. Other families show their lives and show us how they manage with their children. A real family out of love not money. I don't see these famillies exploiting their children. If you pay attention to the shows it is about education.
We haven't heard yet who was the sperm donor. I wonder if somehow he will be on the hook for paternity of all the kids he has now fathered...through no choice of his own!
In my view, the physician, and the IVF clinic should be held responsible for their irresponsible act. Have them pay up.
Sure hope she wasn't planning to sell off the kids on eBay or something really crazy like that.
Just one more conundrum surrounding the rights of women to control their bodies. Abortion - OK; prostitution - Not OK; Children out of wedlock, relying on taxpayers for support - OK - or maybe OK if it's fewer than "x" kids:14, 12, 10? Who decides? Legislating morals never works, whether it's prohibitions or supports. Get government out of these issues and perhaps personal accountability will be reborn.
I watched for years as a single mom down the street struggled to raise one child on her own, working full time.
I cannot imagine one person purposefully multipling that task times 14 to satisfy their own selfish wants. Many people will be paying to raise these children in the end.
As a mother of three children married to a disabled person this whole situation is very upsetting. I worked many hours of overtime to ensure that my children had everything that they needed. I juggled recreational activities with school activities and mourned the times that I missed some important event in my childrens life due to my work schedule. I did my best for my three children and I cannot help but wonder how this mother is sane enough to believe she will ever be able to support those children on one income (especially with just one parent in their lives!). I agree the doctor needs to be under review for his actions in this case as I feel he was wrong to implant any eggs in someone who had no job and already had so many children and then for the mother to expect to be paid for interviews just feels like a slap in the face for all the parents who work hard for their families! I agree that she should not receive compensation for this of any kind....let her do it the old fashioned way...HARD WORK!
She most definitly looks to have had plastic surgery! Nose, lips, possibly chin and cheeks. This woman is mentally unstable along with her physician! Of course, her physician may have been unaware of the 6 kids at home, although I doubt it.
Her empty void, that needed to be filled with enhancements and kids, will only get bigger once all the kids are home. Lets see how long the help stays around when they're no longer cute infants.
No one has mentioned the biological father of all these "blessings". (Yes, apparently there was one donor for all fourteen children birthed by this mother!) Just how mentally competent is he? Sadly,the grandparents already look worn out. I just do not think that we now know the full story about this new mother. I am a divorced grandmother who by the grace of Heaven raised my two children mostly on my own. I just know that there is a very long road ahead for all of these souls.
Having worked in several daycares as an infant specialist, it seems unfathomable for 1 person, or 2, to care for 8 infants PLUS 6 more children, 1 of which is autistic. I don't understand why a doctor could preform the IVF, while knowing she has no means by which to provide for the subsequent children. My underlying question in the subject is motive. What does she seek to gain out of this? Perhaps her ultimate goal was to get a book deal and tweak the hearts of the American people in order to gain their generosity? Or has she gained an addiction to the attention a pregnant woman gains? Either way, it doesn't seem logical to have happened. ALTHOUGH, I am very pleased to hear that the octuplets are in good condition!!!
I honestly don't know anything really about this story... but I don't think what this woman does with her own body is any of our business. We are a free country and we are free to have as many children as we want. Many are complaining that she can't pay for these kids.. but do we know that for sure? She lives with her mom.. Maybe she's living with her because the grandma wants to help? Who knows... Besides, if she is getting book deals or deals for a show then she will be making money therefore won't be on government assistance, right? So, what is there to complain about?
4Yahshua,
I heard the mother say in an interview that the father was a friend, who apparently just agreed to be the donor.
To the Person who said they see no problem with this and anyone has to right to do what they please with their body.......
I agree, as long as you can pay for it all without taxpayers money.
But I also disagree with letting her have all those embyros implanted because she already had 6children she doesn't have even the time to take care or let alone the money. She had 6 children already all under the age of 8 before.
So you have to wonder without the manpower resources to take care of all these new 8 babies, what is going to happen to the other 6? I would think terrible neglect.
It was reported in the LA Times they filed for bankruptcy not long ago as it is. It sounds like no one has health insurance. I saw the grandmother on tv today, she looks way too old to handle even 2 young children let alone 14. She
feels her daughter acted VERY irresponsibly. Her daughter it seems is "in Love" with having babies and lives in fantasy world thinking all it takes it to just hold them and that is enough. The mothers interview only yielded that she thought of herself as a good mother and she planned to hold all her new borns for 45 minutes a day.
She offered no answers to questions about how to pay for doctors visits, food, diapers, medicine, clothes. She offered no answers how she as a single parent can take care of 6 young children and 8 new babies as far as feeding them, dressing, bathing etc. All she offered was she can hold them.
This is a woman in a fantasy world. Ironically the LA Times stated she was a psychiatric technician. Another news source (I cannot recall) said the mother was paid $167,000 for some insurance settlement. The grandmother claims she has paid for everything regarding those 6 children and doesn't have a clue what her daughter did with the $167,000 she was awarded. In other words, this "new mother" lives off others and never intends to pay for a thing. She is counting on Oprah or other tabloids to foot the bills to cover Her life and all her 14 children.
What is this woman doing to her poor parents? Is she thinking about them AT ALL?!!!!
If anyone saw some of the interview with this woman, she claims the IVF was done due to her many miscarriages. Correct me if I'm wrong, but, why would you need IVF if you can get pregnant on your own? It seems more of an issue with maintaining a pregnancy rather than getting pregnant.
Seems like she just wanted to accelerate growing her family and she found a freak of a Doctor to do it!
We wouldn't allow this many dogs in one home! What makes anyone think that an unemployed, unmarried, mother of 6 that lives at home with a seemingly exhausted older mother should have "rights" to do what she pleases in regards to her "baby mill" uterus? She in no way had the means to pay for IVF let alone the children she already had; now she has piled on 6 more with astronomical medical bills! The taxpayers will be footing this! What about school? She is consuming far more than she will ever contribute to society.
Social services must evaluate her and keep on top of this situation! I can see the headlines now with the kids being removed.
Chalk this one up as another example of how stupid cannot be fixed.
I read this morning that she has said is not receiving any kind of Welfare (government aid) but it surfaced that she in fact is getting food stamps and disability for three of her older kids. "Oh, I don't consider that Welfare.."
I had heard on the radio a few days ago that her mother had warned her NOT to do this AGAIN. She did it anyway. Her mother had recently filed bankruptcy because of the financial drain the "baby-factory daughter" has been. The mother has also been quoted as saying "I'm done, I'm going, bye!" Score one for Grandma.
The doctor who thought this was a good idea and proceeded to setup the baby-factory, should be barred from this activity again and pay some kind of penalty for violating what I believe to the laws of common sense. I think "Do no harm" should apply to all lives being affected by this decision. He has now enabled 8 more humans to have a chance of supplying more statistics to such things as "more than 65% of criminals today came from single-parent homes". Hey doc, nice job.
Some friend, "here, let me give you some sperm so you can go mass-produce children". This idiot should be barred from doing it again and be forced to pay child support. How irresponsbile can you be? Uh? Unemployed & unskilled woman with 6 kids wants to have more kids while currently being support by her mommy. Sure thing! Give me a bottle and point me to the closet, 1 brat pack coming up.
The sad thing of this is that some company(s) will step up and start supplying the family with stuff, she will have some kind of a deal for a book, tv series, and/or movie and this will turn out to be okay; or so the public will be lead to believe. We won't hear about how her kids get into trouble, fail in school, have social disorders, etc. We'll be lead to believe that it is okay to run around and commit acts of stupidity like this one.
To her 14 kids: I am sorry your mother is an idiot, but I do hope that you do not suffer for her and that you find your path in life and prosper.
Brian - Cuyahoga Falls
I agree with most of the comments. But I think some are still missing the point She is single, has no job, lives with her mother, and gets disabilty. This woman needs mental help no person in thier right mind in this day and age would want to have so many kids unless they have millions of dollars. Were I live it cost $150 a week for daycare for one kid she has 14 kids thats $2100 a week just for childcare sure she is going to school but who is going to pay for all those kids while she is in school and even after there is no way in the job field she is going in to that she will even be able to affored childcare. I just want to know why this woman did not have a mental check up before the doctor did this. And yes her mother is helping her now but the grandmother has said when she gets back she is no longer going to help. So she will be on her own. It makes me sick that companys are thinking about giving her handouts this is only going to make more poeple want to do the same thing just to get a house, car and money. The poor kids SPS needs to look into this family fast. 14 kids alone there is no way she can do it with out getting goverment help, something she said she will not take, yeah right!
She is on for an hour with Ann Curry tonight at 10pm on NBC.
It will be interesting to hear what she has to say.
I believe they're going to deal with the ethical question of whether a doctor should implant so many embryos.
I THINK ITS A WOMANS RIGHT TO HAVE AS MANY CHILDREN AS THEY WANT, BUT ALSO THEY HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE. TO ANSWER A FEW OF UR QUESTIONS...SHE IS NOT WORKING AT THE TIME, AND SHE DOESN'T HAVE A INCOME COMING IN. HER DISABILY MONEY IS NO LONGER COMING IN,AND IT HAS JUST BEEN CONFIRMED, THAT SHE IS GETTIN FOODSTAMPS, AND DISABILTY FOR 2 OF HER KIDS, WHICH ARE DIABLE
I agree with the one comment about any companies that give this woman anything. I will not support them by buying their products nor will I watch any show that pays her money to be on their show. I believe that childrens services needs to be involved from the get go. If there is any sign whatsoever of neglect, those children need to be taken away from her. If her mother is not going to help her, where is she going to live now? I feel bad for her parents and for all those kids who will most definitely suffer from neglect.
As many physicians have stated, it was unhealthy for the mother and these children will probably have handicaps as they progress. I believe the mother had become enamored with fame and fortune regarding having these babies. Look how much media attention this has brought her already. She has envisioned her own reality show, new frnished home, etc. while she claims she will support her children on student loans????? She is a nutcase and should have been evaluated prior to IVF. The doctor should be barred from practicing medicine for his part in this sham. There are many individuals looking to have just one baby and this nutto has 14 children who will be the burden to bear by all citizens EARNING a living. This sends a BAD message for kids..........
As a guy, maybe I struggle with understanding the bond between mother and child, and at times a woman's right to choose how many children she wants to have...But at some point common sense has to take over.
She already 6 kids, using the same procedure before- she is struggling to make ends meet already, she's on government support, she's basically forcing her mother to take care of her children, and now there are stories about this woman making attempts to mask her pregnancy from her family.
This woman is completely outrageous. She makes it seem as if she has performed a miracle, this noble cause by bringing more children into this world, completely ignoring the fact that her actions alone are the antithesis of responsibility. This situation is just an example of a complete lack of ethical regard (in terms of the doctor), morality, and common sense when it comes to the whole in-vitro argument.
The money to pay for the procedure came from her working long hours and overtime. Why noy buy a house and live on your own. Parents teach children to become responsible. This was an irresponsible, selfish act which her children will pay the price for as well as all of us.
It is my opinion that the doctor that performed all of the in vitro fertilazations should be forced to pay for these 14 children. The mother states that she does not receive welfare, what does she think food stamps is considered? Disability for at least two of her other children? If she has paid for the support of the first six than why has her mother declared bankruptcy and stated that she is in such bad financial status from paying for the first six. I, too, have decided that if I find out companies have donated to this family or shows pay them to be on, that I will no longer purchase from those companies or watch the shows that pay them.
She is getting exactly what she wants. She has the media eating out of her hand. What a shame.
I am happy for her and her new family. We seem to all forget that God will provide and she and her children will be just fine. She seems like a wonderful mother and deserves every happiness life will afford her. If one day she does need government help I am almost positive it will be cheaper than the amount of money we are throwing away on the stimulus package!
Something really makes me irritated. Not so much angry or mad, but just irritated.
According to reports, among food stamps, and disability, and of course her mother, she is using STUDENT LOANS to help support herself and her children. Student loans are supposed to be used to pay for school, not to support 14 children.
This disregard and disrespect for financial aid irritates me. I'm 27 years old and after years old and have been struggling to pay for college since I was 18. I've never been eligible for grants, and my credit prohibits me from getting loans. So since 1999 I've been going to college a semester here, and a semester there. Now that I'm absolutely sure as to what I want to do with my life, I want to get it done with. I have 3 semesters to go, and I will have a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. I want to be a Juvenile Probation Officer. I want to help troubled youth get on the right track.
But, I can't get a grant, and I can't get a loan, and I'm witnessing my dreams wash down the drain.
And to see this woman abusing student loans?
It just hurts.
Anonymous said, "God will provide."
No, the taxpayers will provide.
Your "god" did not provide for the children who starved to death in Somalia in the 90's, Ethiopia in the 80's, nor India in the 60's.
Good think Nadya didn't live in those places.
Sorry to say, but it is the children who suffer in the long run of this.What has happened to being realitised.Can I afford 14 children,feed, cloth.and educate them.In this case the mom was not thinking of this ,but a way for her to make money. From all of us the tax payers.I pray God will look over her children,and keep them safe and happy. Sue
This may sound harsh but since CA. tax dollar is going to have to pony for these fourteen children and all the expense they will incur, they should be adopted out to responsible and mature families. The mother having this many children does not prove to me she loves children but that she is shelfish, imature, looking for a funding system or/and is too irresponsible to care for them. She was either lying or didnt understand that the help she was already receiving in the way of food stamps and disability for three of the six is PUBLIC assistentence..Either way she doesnt seem bright enough or in touch with reality enough to care for these children regardless how much financial aid she gets.
You're right...no matter what she intentionally did or didn't do...the kids are here now and someone is going to have to take care of them.
I've listened to all of her interviews and she does seem out of touch with reality.
I just pray for the children.
I think people are shocked with the number of children this woman had at one time. There are thousands of people in America having children to receive benefits AKA free stuff. People have gossiped over coffee about large families for years. Oh...did you hear such and such had ANOTHER baby? How can they afford another child...how will they put it through school, diapers, etc. My husband and I (whom I’ve been married to for 17 years) have 8 children (17,15,13,11,7,5,5,4). We get the talk by people who don’t know us. The people that do know us know we take care of our children…diapers, clothing, sports, etc. My husband and I run a family business and our oldest has had a job for a year. Reading all this has got me thinking…we will not be able to afford to send our children to college. They will need to apply for scholarships, financial aid, and or student loans. Does this make us a burden to society? Are we trying to receive free stuff? If you can’t afford to raise a child and then send them to college you shouldn’t have children-right!? Well, does it make a difference if people know my husband was in the military for 6 years, we adopted our youngest three because my husband’s brother committed suicide before the youngest was even born, and we run a family childcare business. We provide childcare for many low income state funded families. Yes, at times it is frustrating to see these families buying name brand clothes, going to the movies, getting their hair and nails done and they get their childcare funded by the state. If people are upset they need to visit with their legislators about changing laws. I have a problem with people saying that they should take the kids away because she can’t care for them. Think about this for a minute: If you frequent the clubs one to many times, you work to much to spend time with your children, you get pulled over for a driving violation, you move to much, your children all have different fathers/or no father in the picture, you have a prison record…etc. Would you want people to decide that you wouldn’t be a fit parent without any evidence of child abuse or neglect? Yes, it will be hard for this woman…but let there be JUST cause if they need to remove the children. If they remove because of financial hardship what about the millions of people facing foreclosure on their homes….should they lose their children as well? hmmmm The doctor that provided prenatal care…did they have concern how she would care for these children? People say they will boycott any company that donates and supports this family. Why? She would then be able to pay her own medical bills, food bills, schooling! If she signs a book deal, gets a reality show she would be able to financially support the family….pay for help. If she is given a new house and clothing by generous companies and individuals than who are we to complain. That is how THEY choose to donate! Don’t condemn this family PRAY for them.
Who allowed this woman to pop out kids like she's a pez dispenser? This points to everything that is wrong with our medical, and social services systems. She is not working, has three children that have special needs already, is living on Food Stamps and moneys that are paid for by hard-working mom's and dad's everywhere - It's truly pathetic. It would have been so less costly to get her some help for her obvious delusional mentality and obsession with having children. I'm hoping the children aren't the one's to suffer from this. I fear she has already started to make them into a freak-show that she'll sell as a reality byte to the highest bidder. And to think there are so many people out there who can't have children, and have the ability and desire to care for their financial, medical, and emotional needs. This is really sad.
HI,
I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT HER ACTIONS NOT ONLY MAKE HER IMMATURE,BUT ALSO IRRESPONSIBLE. I DONT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE HAVING AS MANY BABIES AS THEY WANT AS LONG AS THEY TAKE CARE OF THEM, OUR COUNTRY AND THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY BILLS INCLUDING THEIR GRANDMOTHER. WE ARE TRYING TO GET OUT OF OUR FINANCIAL STRUGGLES, SHE MUST BE COMPLETELY OBLIVIOUS TO THE WORLD AROUND HER. I DO NOT SEE HER AS A "GOOD MOTHER" HOW CAN YOU CALL YOURSELF A GOOD MOTHER IF YOU CANT PROVIDE FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND LEAVE THEM WITH SOMEONE ELSE TO RAISE? SHE IS A BAD INFLUENCE FOR ALL WOMEN YOUNG AND OLD. I FEEL SORRY FOR THE CHILDREN ALL 14 OF THEM, THEY ARE THE ONES THAT WILL PAY FOR IGNORANCE.
wow...I think that this girl is confused. If she wanted to be a mother she needed to take care of the six children that she already had. JUST BECAUSE YOU GIVE BIRTH DOESNT MAKE YOU A MOTHER! her actions are completely immature and irresponsible. She lives with her parents and doesnt have a job! why would you bring children into this already tough world, if you cant provide for them or take care of them?? Well I feel sorry for the kids they are the ones who will pay the for consequences of her actions. I think that the doctor should have examined the situation a lot more before he implanted that many embryos. He should not be alowed to practice anymore. As for the grandparents they need to exercise their right to tell their daughter 'NO' it sounds like she hasnt heard that much in her life.
I think the doctor that did the in-vitro whould be financialy responsible for the babies until they are out of college, He was the on e that made it possible for these children to be born to a mother that does not have a job or a husband.
This is part of the reason medical care in our country cost so much. Absolutely absurd!!!!
The Gosslins NEVER intended to have
sextuplets and did not plan to exploit their children.
TLC is giving them money, the show is funny and the kids are cute. The Gosslins have said many times how gratefull they are for the donations and trips. Jon does work, BTW.
Same thing for the Rolloffs.
The Duggers on the other hand are
religious fanatics, who earn their money, GET THIS, thru pyramid schemes. The Duggers also are on Food Stamps, which is never publicised!
Why are people not asking more questions about this mother, like how she used school loans to finance invitro instead of for school? Fraud!
The other issue that really gets me, is she is suppose to be receiving disability for a back injury she got at work, but there is no questions raised when she wants to be implanted with embryos?
I feel sorry for the babies who are by all counts the ones who are going to suffer.
I feel this lady made poor choices from the get go and I think she is expecting everyone to help her.
It's just wrong! You cannot possibly take care of 14 children by yourself. She is selfish and for someone who has a "psychiatric" background, she certainly does not protray herself as someone even remotely knowledgable...
I want to see how these pregnancies were financed, how a doctor could authorize this type of procedure for someone who is declared "disabled". As a person with back injuries (real one! oh gosh) I certainly could not handle a pregnancy let alone 8 babies in my womb!
There are alot of questions to be answered and I hope legally someone nails her for fraud.
Excuses are just that, you had em, you raise em.
The doctor needs to be held accountable and should lose his lisence to practice. With IVF as successful as it is today, there is no reason for multiples to be born. Not to mention that this woman was "proven" to be able to carry children!
I feel so sorry for those who want babies and can't get the money together to do IVF. Maybe they can take out a student loan to finance theirs?
This woman is a nutcase.
"MOTHER OF 8" - there is a HUGE difference between your family of 8 and this family of 14. You didn't have the majority of your children at one time, you and your husband work/own a company, thus providing income to take care of your children.
Having your children work their way through college, earn a scholarship or take out a student loan doesn't put a burden on anyone else in the community.
The fact that this mother was on disability for an "on the job" injury and then proceeded to have baby after baby is not ok.
Where in the world did someone on this board come up with that the Duggars get their money through a "pyramid scheme?" That is not true! Get your facts straight before you lie about someone.
I don't care how many kids the Duggars have because they take care of their own children and are debt free.
I also struggled to have my one and only child, so I do understand the importance and preciousness of life.
The number of children she has chosen to have is now our business since we taxpayers will be supporting them. I don't know who acted more irresponsibly, the mother or the physician. It's a catch-22, I don't want to see her obtain a TV/Book deal which would sensationalize this poor choice but at the same time I don't want to pay to feed and raise her children!
OK 1st off poor children, how can a mother spend the time with each child that they need and crave… God forbid health issues should happen than that is just less time for the other children. The home she is living in is going into foreclosure some $23,000 and change behind in payments. I have 2 children and a husband (who is in the Military and gone a majority of the time) I work full time and still have to care for my children in his absence I could not imagine trying to do that with 14 children I am all for freedom of choice, but with responsibility being at the core. She has put herself in a position to fail. I pray that she can handle the situation but in all reality how can any one person provide the emotional, monetary and physical care these 14 children need and deserve.
The burden of the cost will go to the tax payers as well as the burden of the cost on the system when these children start to have problems either emotionally or physically due to the lack of attention the parent can provide. I pray that she can handle this not for the cost on the system but the cost to dthe 14 children
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