Friday, January 30, 2009

Octomom!

That's the name a local radio station has given a woman who gave birth to eight babies this week.

Eight?

Ah, the wonders of fertility drugs, IVF and other tricks of the trade....

The initial stories all covered the "miracle of birth," of course. The medical team that delivered the eight tiny reindeer babies was all smiles and kootchy-koo. The reporters were fawning. It all seemed a miracle, particularly since all eight survived birth and are still alive (and apparently holding their own) as I write this.

But some unkind souls began to ask questions, and a few answers emerged. First, it seems the woman is unmarried and lives with her parents in an 1800 square-foot house, after losing a larger house last year in a foreclosure action;

The three of them live with the woman's six other very young children;

There is no father. Well, there is a father, of course, but he is an anonymous sperm donor. At least his name hasn't come out so far, though some people seem to know who he is. Some say the same man was also responsible for the other six tots, who also were the result of fertility treatments;

Though the recent multiple births took place in a hospital run by a major HMO, the woman has no insurance, and has been hospitalized there for several months, since the doctors advised her that she was running a fairly sizable health risk;

The babies, having been born roughly three months premature, will remain in intensive care at the hospital for another three months.

Apparently, everyone in Southern California (except me) knows the woman's name, but she is keeping the lowest of profiles at the moment. I can understand that; people are expressing rather unkind thoughts about someone would decide -- would, in fact, go out of her way -- to have eight kids when she is barely able to afford the six she already has.

Rumors swirl. The word "scam" appears often in those rumors. Sadly, I tend to believe most of them.

As time goes by, this looks more and more like a "your tax dollars at work" scenario. Many people are not amused, do not see this as a "miracle;" count me as one of them.

13 comments:

Sound Echo said...

I'm really not sure what to think about the whole situation. I just hope that those babies receive all the love that they deserve. After all, they didn't ask to be born into that type of a situation.

MrScribbler said...

C -- You're so right about that! The babies do deserve love, care and attention, now and throughout their lives. All babies do.

The mother, not so much.

Dorrie said...

it even hit the news over here, too. What I wondered about, why do they need 46 doctors in attendance? That seems a bit much, or did they all want to be in the limelight or something?

Sound Echo said...

They always have lots and lots and lots of doctors and nurses for deliveries that are such high risk.

I have no problem with people having as many children as they want, as long as they can afford them. I have no problem with people using public assistance, if they need it. I have no problem with people using fertility treatments if they can't have kids on their own.

But yea, she does seem to be abusing the system. Thats all I'm really going to say, because I don't want some sort of huge debate to get started.

John0 Juanderlust said...

No way that chick can be playing with a full deck. Artificial insemination(reportedly), purposely giving birth to more kids with others at home, and she's bankrupt. I have to wonder at the doctors who helped her do this. Obviously the last thought was for the life and welfare of the kids resulting from this forced pregnancy. I'd rather see the care go to a sincere person with some consideration, despite consequences to her and hers.

Anonymous said...

"If you can't feed 'em, don't breed 'em."

S

Fin said...

She strikes me as the poster child for a country that has totally lost it's mind. Characterising her behavior, and that of her medical providers as repugnant is overly kind, imo.

NoWay said...

Only in America...

Unknown said...

That's just disgusting. Somebody should take those babies from her and give them to someone who can afford to take care of them properly. You don't have to be able to shower them with toys and live in a mansion but come on, how is she going to be able to provide for them - monetarily AND attention-wise as a single mom???

deb said...

How did she afford the fertility treatment? Way too many unknowns.

BenB said...

I've seen first-hand for several years running the landscape of a large family that has no money, no job, leeching off the government for everything but the air they breath - and STILL continue to have MORE babies. I think Fin said it best.

Anonymous said...

oh my!
Lou

Anonymous said...

I don't care how you look at it, but this is ridiculous. Sure the babies need love and a good home, but this sucking the government for all this care is outrageous.