Octave

Recently, the media has been enchanted by a 33 year old who delivered via C-section a full set of octuplets at a hospital in Bellflower, California. Such multiple gestations have only become a reality with assisted reproductive technology. But they are extremely dangerous for mother and children. This is not a desirable outcome. It may even be unethical on part of the health care provider. If this was done through in vitro fertilization, that many embryos should not have been transferred. The risks of multiple gestations include stillbirth, prematurity (as was the case here at 30 1/2 weeks), low birth weight (here, the smallest was 1 lb, 8 ounces = 680 g where an average birth weight is 3500 g), cerebral palsy, and need for neonatal intensive care. For mother, there is a much higher risk of C-section. But even beyond that, there are so many social factors to consider. This mother already has 6 children. How is this going to impact her family? How will it impact the future of the children? Though it is impressive that 46 well-orchestrated medical personnel accomplished such a feat successfully, it really isn't ideal at all.