For the first time in ten years (and only the second time ever), a mother gave birth to a set of octuplets. The eight babies were born in Bellflower, California earlier today, January 26, 2009. There are six boys and two girls, each weighing between 1 pound 15 ounces and 3 pounds 4 ounces.
Doctors had expected only seven babies when they began the scheduled C-section. But once the surgery started, they discovered that there were actually 8 babies. Everyone is doing well and it is said that the surgery went off without a hitch. Forty-six people were involved in the delivery and hospital staff performed two dry runs before doing the real thing. Dr. Harold Henry ssaid, “They were all screaming and kicking around very vigorously.”
Although the babies’ mother will be released in about a week, the babies will probably have to remain in the hospital for at least two months.
The first octuplets were born in Houston in 1998 and the seven survivors recently celebrated their 10th birthday. Odera, the smallest child at birth, died when she was one week old. Upon hearing news of another set of octuplets, parents Nkem Chukwu and Iyke Louis Udobi said,
“Just enjoy it. It’s a blessing, truly a blessing. We’ll keep praying for them.”
See videos of other multiples below.