The Perks of Having Higher Order Multiples?by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger 01 Aug 2007 05:17 AM In June the world saw it's first double sextuplet birth. Two mothers, in two separate states, gave birth to sextuplets on June 11th. The Morrisons, a couple in Minnesota gave birth at 20 weeks via c-section. The Masche's gave birth at 30 weeks and 4 days (this is a very long pregnancy for sextuplets) also via c-section. (On a side note, can you imagine pushing out 6 babies? Really no one can. . .sextuplets are always delivered via c-section.) Sadly for the Morrisons, five of their six sextuplets died. The remaining sextuplet remains in the hospital in critical condition. To my knowledge all of the Masche babies are doing well and progressing in the hospital. What intrigues me though is that these families as well as many others have foundations or businesses set up to contribute to the financial needs of their brood. And frankly, it bothers me. I mentioned yesterday in the forums, that I actually think it's fairly unethical for doctors to implant more than one, possibly two fetuses during a cycle of IVF. (And just to be clear, the chances of conceiving sextuplets naturally are one in several billion and so it's fairly safe to assume that these are IVF babies.) I feel this way because of the health risks of carrying multiples posed to both the mother and the babies. It seems to me that implanting several violates the "first do no harm" part of that hypocratic oath. As a mom of multiples, I recognize the great financial strain multiples puts on a family. It pretty much automatically means mom has to stay home at least for the first several years. It likely means that if she was working before the babies, she'll have to take off significantly more time than she has in her maternity leave clause. I know numerous moms of twins and triplets that couldn't work until their little ones went to school because the cost of child care would've defeated the purpose of working. It essentially throws you into a one income world. The point is. . .I get it. What I don't get is what about all the families who have children close together? Our kids are all two years apart. In case you're wondering, our twins were conceived the old fashioned way. When people mention finances to us, it's not "Oh gee, that must be hard. Where can I send my check?" We scrimp, save and work hard to afford our brood--and we do it too. If you follow the Duggars (the family with 19 children and counting) they have talked about their need to be financially independent--that it's important to be debt free. Yet people who knowingly implant numerous embryos, thus understanding that they could actually get that many embryos get donations. Seems like maybe they'd think about how they could afford six babies before they implanted them. Seems like someone would mention the high cost of medical care for those babies who will be born prematurely and it seems like somewhere, someone might say perhaps you should sit down with a financial planner. . . I'm neither saying that these people are bad parents, were financially irresponsible, or in some other way are not worthy of your gift if you feel like you want to give. This isn't personal. But I do wonder where it ends? With fertility treatments on the rise will we soon see a day where the foundation market is flooded with requests for donations towards these families? Learn more about Valorie Delp  Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line. Relevantbaby tags User Comments  QueenAngie Central Illinois, USA |
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