Controversy Over Woman Who Had Octuplets

I totally agree. Im a Catholic also and I think it would be very honorable to give some of them up for adoption if nothing else. I dont see how she can afford all the babies either, emotionally, financially or any way. Also, if she decides to keep all of them, attention will be compromised I would think, but hopefully not.

I certainly understand where you're coming from as a Catholic, understanding why she wouldn't terminate any of the embryos. However, from what I've heard and read about invitro-fertilization a woman is asked from the beginning if she'd be willing to abort some of the embryos if it was advisable and I had the impression doctors would be hesitant, to put it mildly, to do the procedure if she wasn't open to that possibility. Anyway, she apparently wanted more children and knew there would be seven with the eighth being a surprise. Annie

I blame the stupid doctor that did the proceedure. What in the world was he thinking of? Money, no doubt. As for "dispensing" (?) a few of the so called embryos - what a cruel thought: "Oh I'm sorry baby, but you have to go cause you've been chosen to lessen MY burden in life." People have to be responsible, and not be getting rid of a baby just for conveinence sake. Not to worry about the care of these children - of course the welfare system will take them on - what other option is there? Giving some up for adoption would be far better than having had aborted/killing any of them. And too - there's also the possibility that some or all of them may have 'special needs.' This young woman probably needs some type of psychological help too. Who in their right mind would do this to themselves - having more children than one can care for. And another thought came to me: what if one of the kids decides after he/she is grown to look for the father? Don't you know that any man that would find himself the father of 8 kids, to be absolutely blown away!?

She probably doesn't even know who the father is since it was from a sperm donor. I'm surprised there isn't more outcry very the use of invitro-fertilization in general since it's routine, as I understand it, to get rid of some "excess" embryos. I've never understood why the anti-choice crowd wasn't up in arms over this procedure. Annie

Thank you for that link. There was a lot of information there I a hadn't known before and it clears it up a bit. It also makes me even more confused as to why she'd do it, but it's clear those kids will be living off the taxpayers for 18 years, no doubt. Annie

I think the doctor should be in trouble! She may have insisted she wanted it done but he did it and it would seem he should have known she's not stable. Annie

I think there should also be some kind of psychological test prior to getting IVF! Annie

I share your curiosity about this, Opal, and I thank you for your information. I didn't think this sounded right, that the doctor would go through with this under the circumstances this woman is apparently living. Where indeed did she get the money? This is just plain WEIRD! Annie

I was actually wondering why the doctors would do this! Thank you for clearing it up.

I vote for mentally ill since she's not married and if she were a religious nut she probably wouldn't believe in being an unwed mother, right? Anyway, it's been reported that she's been offered lots of money for TV interviews and stuff. Annie

I'm pretty liberal too but I get irritated when someone is too irresponsible to preent having more children than they can care for so for this woman to set out to become pregnant with what she KNEW would be multiples is disgraceful. I agree, there's no way I would want those babies to be neglected whether it means the government caring for them or not but this should not have happened. Annie

All I can say is "Dittos, dittos, dittos" all the way around! Annie

I'm not sure if she would even know the identity of the sperm donor. I think most of them are college students, as you said, looking to earn extra money, but I doubt whoever it is would be willing to marry a total stranger and be father to 14 children! I think you're right, at least some of those eight babies will probably have some serious health issues. It's a strange situation all the way around but since she's obsessed with having children I doubt she'd even consider adoption. Annie

That's just it - I think WE will be taking care of them! I'd love to know how she afforded the IVF procedure. Annie

Things were no doubt much different when your grandmother had all those kids! I also know of a family that had 17 kids but they lived on a farm of raised most of their own food and the kids helped out selling eggs, milk and other dairy products as well as vegetables and other produce. Many communities don't have many people who have the time or the means to help raise someone else's kids! Annie

I'd wring my daughter's neck if she pulled a stunt like this! Annie

I know, WOW was my first thought too! I totally agree with you about this woman needing a mental evaluation and I also know what you're saying about the new babies having health issues. Isn't it actually LIKELY at least one of them will, considering how many of them there are and the fact they were premature? WOW is right! Annie