Mother of octuplets 'already has six kids'
Californian woman who gave birth to octuplets earlier this week already has six children, it has emerged
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Friday, 30, Jan 2009 11:42
The Californian woman who gave birth to octuplets earlier this week already has six children, it has emerged.
The Los Angeles Times claims the as-yet unnamed woman, only the second American known to have given birth to live-born octuplets, underwent fertility treatment.
Her mother told the Times that all the implanted embryos "happened to take".
"What do you suggest she should have done? She refused to have them killed," said Angela Suleman. "That is a very painful thing."
Mrs Suleman said her daughter's other children, aged between two and seven, were supported by their father, a contractor who worked in Iraq.
The new additions to the family, six boys and two girls weighting between 1lb 8oz and 3lb 4oz, are all said to be doing well after being born nine weeks prematurely at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Centre in Bellflower on Monday.
The eight children came as a surprise to doctors, who had only expected seven births.
A statement from the mother-of-14 said her and her family would speak to the media "in our own time".
"The babies continue to grow strong every day and make good progress. My family and I are ecstatic about all of their arrivals. Needless to say, the eighth was a surprise to us all, but a blessing as well," she said.
"Thank you to the extra special nurses and hospital staff for their tireless support. Ever since I came to Kaiser Permanente after becoming pregnant, I've been grateful for the phenomenal medical team responsible for the extraordinary care that my babies and I received.
"Finally, we thank all of you for the positive thoughts, prayers and generosity."
The woman has already said she plans to breastfeed the eight children.