Suleman octuplets

The Suleman octuplets are six male and two female children conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF) and subsequently born to Nadya Suleman on January 26, 2009, in Bellflower, California. They presently reside in La Habra, California. They are only the second full set of octuplets to be born alive in the United States and, having survived more than a week, surpassed the previous worldwide survival-rate for a complete set of octuplets set by the Chukwu octuplets of 1998. The extremely controversial circumstances of their high order multiple birth has led to debate in the field of assisted reproductive technology as well as an investigation by the Medical Board of California of the fertility specialist involved, regarding the transfer of twelve embryos at once.^[1]

Contents 1 Names 2 Background 2.1 Conception 2.2 Birth 2.3 Post delivery 3 Family 3.1 Mother 3.2 Biological father 3.3 Siblings 3.4 Grandparents 4 Media attention 5 See also 6 References

Names

^[2] The babies' names, sex and birth weight in birth order are:^[3][4][5]

• Noah Angel Solomon - male; 2 lbs 8 oz
• Maliyah Angel Solomon - female; 2 lbs 2 oz
• Isaiah Angel Solomon - male; 3 lbs 1 oz
• Nariyah Angel Solomon - female; 2 lbs 3 oz
• Jonah Angel Solomon - male; 1 lb 8 oz
• Josiah Angel Solomon - male; 2 lbs 9 oz
• Jeremiah Angel Solomon - male; 1 lb 13 oz
• Makai Angel Solomon - male; 2 lbs 7 oz

Background

Conception

The octuplets were conceived by in-vitro fertilization (IVF) conducted by Doctor Michael Kamrava. Although Nadya Suleman claims she had six embryos remaining from previous IVF treatments transferred, despite being informed that for a woman her age the recommended guideline limit was three,^[1] it has subsequently been found out that Kamrava implanted 12 embryos.^[6] She falsely claimed part of her reasoning for attempting another pregnancy was so that the remaining embryos would not be destroyed, and falsely claimed that two embryos split (which would have resulted in two sets of identical twins).^[7] The mother's health and gestational status were followed from her first trimester. Five fetuses were evident after one month and Suleman was offered the option of selective reduction, which she declined.^{[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]}

In January 2010, charges were filed against the doctor who performed Suleman's IVF, his license was revoked by the Medical Board of California, effective July 1, 2011.^[16] The charges include gross negligence and implanting a number of embryos that "far exceeds" guidelines for the patient's age and history. In addition, the charges also include the assertion that fresh, and not frozen, embryos were used each time.^[17][18] This is in direct contradiction to Suleman's claims that she had used all of her remaining frozen embryos so they would not be destroyed. Additionally, time has shown there are not two sets of identical twins in the octuplets, which would have to be the case if indeed only 6 embryos were implanted as Ms. Suleman claimed.

Birth

The delivery, via a scheduled Caesarean section, involved 46 medical personnel, and was practiced twice beforehand at the Kaiser Permanente hospital in Bellflower, California. Doctors anticipated seven babies, so the eighth came as a surprise. Born over the course of five minutes, all eight babies were immediately reported in stable condition, though two required intubation and a ventilator, and another required extra oxygen.^[19]

It has been documented in many places that Nadya Suleman had at least eight embryos implanted (since none of them are identical), and also that she had 'fresh' embryos implanted, rather than the frozen ones which she claimed at the time. Her ex-publicist has stated in interviews that she had 12 embryos transferred and she told him personally of the great lengths she went to conceal the fact. None of the octuplets are identical (monozygotic) twins and she still has many embryos frozen in storage. All of her 14 children have been born as a result of fresh embryo transfer.

Post delivery

Two days after birth, five of the eight infants received their first tube-feeding of donated breast milk. Josiah rejected his first tube-feeding and was returned to intravenous feeding, as his stomach was unable to absorb breast milk. At that time, three of the other infants had been fed intravenously since birth, and had yet to receive their first tube-feeding.^[20][21][22]

Six days after birth, all eight babies were breathing without assistance, and were being fed donated breast milk, as well as intravenous nutritional supplements. A hospital spokesman said the octuplets were expected to remain in the hospital for several more weeks.^[23]

One week after birth, the Suleman octuplets became the longest-living octuplets in United States history, as the smallest of the Chukwu octuplets born in Houston in 1998 died seven days after birth.^[24][25]

Ten days after the birth of her octuplets, Suleman was released from the hospital. In her February 5, 2009 interview, Suleman stated that she holds each of the octuplets for 45 minutes a day, holding the smallest, a son named Jonah (born at 1 lb., 8 oz.) the longest.^[26][27]

The hospital where the octuplets were expected to spend seven to twelve weeks requested significant reimbursement from Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program, for care of the eight premature babies.^[28]

Family

Mother

Nadya Suleman was born in Fullerton, California and was raised in La Puente, Hacienda Heights and Rowland Heights, all cities in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County.^[29][30][31] She is the only child of Edward and Angela Doud, who married in Las Vegas in 1974, and divorced in 1999.^[32]

Biological father

Suleman's mother stated that a single sperm donor named David Solomon^[33] was used to produce the octuplets as well as her daughter's previous six children.^[13][34] Nadya stated that she dated David once, but realized after that she only wanted him to father her children and not pursue any relationship with him.^[35] Other sources claim that Nadya made up the name David Solomon in order not to identify the actual sperm donor.^[36]

On the February 23, 2009 edition of ABC's Good Morning America, a man named Denis Beaudoin claimed to be the biological father of Suleman's children. He stated they dated from 1997 to 1999 and Suleman asked him if he would donate the sperm. Beaudoin is requesting a paternity test be performed to verify his claim. Suleman has since denied that he was the donor.^[37][38][39]

Siblings

The octuplets have six older siblings approximately aged 6 to 11 named Elijah Makai, Amerah Yasmeen, Joshua Jacob "JJ", Aiden and twins Caleb Kai and Calyssa Arielle Solomon who were also conceived via IVF allegedly with the same sperm donor according to statements made by mother Nadya Suleman.^[19][33][40]

Grandparents

The octuplets' maternal grandfather, 67-year-old Edward Doud Suleman,^[41] identifying himself as a former Iraqi military man, said he would be returning to his native Iraq as a translator and driver, in order to financially support his daughter and her fourteen children.^[42][43] Their grandmother, 69-year-old Angela Victoria Suleman, a retired teacher, has helped to look after the first six children. She has indicated that she is overwhelmed looking after them, and has been critical of her daughter in her recent public statements. For example, she has stated that her daughter does not contribute toward housing or food costs.^{[44][45][46][47][48][49]}

Media attention

News of the octuplets caused an international media sensation.^[50] Most public response has been negative, including some death threats, which police are investigating.^[51][52]

There has been much public discussion about Nadya Suleman's decision to implant and give birth to octuplets,^[53][54] including a minor protest outside the Suleman home, though Nadya Suleman was living elsewhere.^[55] Many expressed concern that Suleman's decision for more children, despite being unemployed and unmarried, would burden taxpayers via public support.^[56]

The implantation of twelve embryos in a woman under 35 years of age who already had children raised many controversies and led to calls for legislation to limit the number of simultaneous embryo transfers.^[57] The Medical Board of California announced on February 6, 2009, that it was investigating Dr. Michael Kamrava, the physician who transferred the embryos, in an attempt to substantiate if there was a violation of the standard of care. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine expressed interest in assisting the Board in its investigation.^[58][59][60] The doctor also provided fertility treatment to a 49-year-old woman who is uninsured, 5 months pregnant with quadruplets, and hospitalized at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. At least seven embryos were used.^[61][62] In October, 2009 the American Society for Reproductive Medicine announced that it had expelled Dr. Michael Kamrava.^[63] In January, 2010, charges were filed with the California Medical Board in direct relation to the conception of the octuplets. The complaint also stated that he exercised gross negligence and acted "beyond the reasonable judgment" of any physician and used a number of embryos that "far exceeded" existing guidelines.^[18][64][65] The Board announced on June 1, 2011 that Dr. Kamrava's license would be revoked in July.^[66]

See also

• Chukwu octuplets, born in 1998 in Texas
• McCaughey septuplets, the first set of septuplets to survive infancy
• Dionne quintuplets, the only female identical quintuplets ever recorded
• List of multiple births
• Natalism

References

Persondata
Name	Suleman Octuplets
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	2009
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death