Mother of octuplets already has six young children
8:08 PM, January 29, 2009
The woman who gave birth to octuplets earlier this week already has six young children and never expected that the fertility treatment she received would result in eight babies, her mother said in an interview with The Times.

The woman had embryos implanted last year, leading to the eight births Monday. "They all happened to take," said her mother, Angela Suleman. "I looked at those babies. They are so tiny and so beautiful."

"It’s going to be difficult," she added, noting that her daughter's husband is going back to Iraq, where neighbors said he is a contract worker, to help support the family.

When the woman discovered she was expecting multiple babies, doctors gave her the option of selectively reducing the number of embryos, but she declined.

"What do you suggest she should have done? She refused to have them killed," Suleman said. "That is a very painful thing."

Doctors at a Kaiser hospital in Bellflower that delivered the babies held a news conference Thursday night.

Dr. Harold Henry said the woman came to the hospital at the 12th week of pregnancy. Doctors counseled her regarding the options and risks, Henry said. "Our goal is to provide the best possible care, no matter what the situation or circumstances are," he said.

Dr. Karen Maples read a statement from the mother: "We understand that you are all curious about the arrival of the octuplets, and we appreciate your respect for our family privacy," the statement read. "The eight was a surprise to us all but a blessing as well."

In the statement, the mother said the family would later reveal more details about the births. "We thank all of you for the positive thoughts, prayers and generosity," the statement read.

The doctors declined to provide any other information about the mother or the circumstances under which she became pregnant.

—Jessica Garrison, Andrew Blankstein and Jeff Gottlieb

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WHO would give IVF to a woman who already has SIX kids?!?!?!!? If they can support all 14 kids, go for it. If not, God help them.