8 Babies May Be More Than Enough, Too Many

The mother of the octuplets born Jan. 26 in Bellflower, Calif., has come under increasing criticism since the public learned that she is a 33-year-old single woman who already has six children.  

According to abcnews.com Mike Von Fremd, she lives with her parents in a modest home surrounded by neighbors who are split in their opinion about the birth of the six boys and two girls. 

An 87-year old neighbor said it doesn't make sense to her with the economy the way it is. Others said the young mother takes care of her children and is excited about the new ones. 

The woman's father, who is a native of Iraq, has said he would return to his country to continue with a contracting job to support his grandchildren, who now total 14. His daughter is an only child. 

Medical ethicists and the public are questioning the decision of doctors who implanted so many embryos into such a young woman, who took fertility drugs. With six children already under age 7, including twins, people wonder why she needed the drugs at all. 

In media articles and broadcasts, the woman's parents have said their daughter only intended to have one more child, but she chose not to have selective reduction (abortion) of any of the babies.  

"They all happended to take,"  Angela Suleman told the Los Angeles Times.

The experts and the public are also questioning the wisdom of a single mother and family with financial problems purposely giving birth to so many children who will most likely have medical problems well into childhood and perhaps adulthood.  

Born at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center in Bellflower, Calif., they arrived nine weeks premature. Only one, so far, needs help with breathing. 

Dr. Mandhir Gupta and other physicians at the hospital, excited about the births, have held news conferences to report that the children and mother are doing well. 

"My family and I are estatic about all their arrivals," the mother said in a statement read by Dr. Karen Maples.

8 Babies Born to California Mother

One was hiding behind the mother's spleen, but joined seven, count'em, SEVEN brothers and sisters when a California woman gave birth to the only other set of surviving octuplets ever born in the U.S. and the world.

Media reports said the six boys and two girls were born within five minutes Jan. 26 at the Kaiser Permanente Hospital, starting at 10:43 a.m. The mother has asked not to be identified.

Nkem Chukwu of Texas, at age 27 in December 1998,  gave birth to the first set of live-born octuplets.  One girl was born early and the other siblings were given another two weeks in their mother's womb to improve their changes of survival. One baby died a week later. 

She and her husband, Ike, live in Houston with the remaining children, who turned 10 in December 2008. 

According to CNN.com by 1998, nine babies were the highest known multiple birth, which occurred during 1971 in Sydney, Australia. Three of the children died at birth. 

Octuplets have been born in Britain, Turkey and Spain, but not all survived during birth.  

In recent days fertility experts have been critical of the births, citing health risks to the mother and babies, and financial burden to the family, according to abcnews. com. As well, ABC reporter Mike Von Fremnd has said the mother of the octuplets already may be a single mother of six. 

January 2009 Births

Singing River and Ocean Springs hospitals ...

Jan. 1

Carlos Keyon Marion Jr., born to Tammy Delare Tait of Moss Point.

Tristan Newsome McNeill, born to Brittaney Warden and Travis McNeill of Wiggins. (First of New Year 2009. See previous post.)

Jan. 2

Aileen Brianna Collum, born to Mr. and Mrs. Gary B.Collum (Mercedes C. Bejec) of Moss Point.

Jan. 4

Jaliza Mar'Shay Rogers, born to Lakeshia Shawntel Rogers of Pascagoula.

Kelsie Leeann Marie Churchwell, born to Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Andrew Churchwell (Bridgette Annette Dickens) of Lucedale.

Jan. 8

Braylin Jace Ladnier, born to Jessica Taylor Ladnier of Pascagoula.

William Kennedy Sherman, born to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Michael Sherman Sr. (Farrah Allison Goss) of Vancleave.

Lashanti Noria Latrice Durden, born to Lashunda Renea Brown of Pascagoula.

Kendall Octavious Hall, born to Sherronda Nakia Tait of Moss Point.

Mary Michael Miller, born to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wilson Miller (Lori Renae Bosarge) of Pascagoula.

Kylah Jade Hyson, born to Kenneth Hyson and Jillian Rosalyn Westland of Biloxi.

Jan. 9

Gracie Nicole Toomer, born to Mr. and Mrs. Bruce James Toomer (Christy Michelle Barnes) of Pascagoula.

Kelvin Lashawn Harness Jr., born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelvin Lashawn Harness (Lekelisa Shantell Beard) of Pascagoula.

Aiden Elizabeth McLean, born to Dustin Lanier McLean and Abigail Elizabeth Landry of D'Iberville.

Jacob Kenneth Whalen, born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Anthony Whalen (Donna Jo Gospodareck) of Ocean Springs.

Jan. 11

Reese Elizabeth McIlrath, born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shawn McLlrath (Desiree Miran Dees) of Pascagoula.

Jan. 12

Brenden Matthews Barrentine, born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Doyle Barrentine III (Amanda Leanne Hall) of Grand Bay.

Gabriella Grace Gurley, born to Mr. and Mrs. Steven Michael Gurley Jr. (Cari Elizabeth Young) of Gautier.

Da'Kylen Ladarrion Tisdale, born to Lateshia Sierra Tisdale of Moss Point.

Laynee Hope Davis, born to Mr. and Mrs. Chad Michael Davis (Melissa Ann Jalanivich) of Ocean Springs.

Jan. 13

Kassidy Aubrinea McCants, born to Jyniquia Kaswanna Shelby of Moss Point.

Anthony Joseph Barraco, born to Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Stephen Barraco (Teresa Doylene Speaks) of Ocean Springs.

Joshua Lee Anderson Jr., born to Joshua Lee Anderson Sr. and Katie Cherie Jordon of Biloxi.

Collin Ryan Schenkenberg, born to Robert Winston Schenkenberg and Lauren Elizabeth Mitchell of Ocean Springs.

Lilli Joanna White, born to Thomas Edwin White and Dusti Allessa Allman of Lucedale.

Jan. 14

Ja'Marious Jamal Tremaine Liddell, born to Diana Latrice Liddell of Moss Point.

Brenden Micah Griffith, born to Lisa Nicole Loll of Lucedale.

Christian Michael Wilson, born to Bobby Charles Wilson and Andrea Nichole Hunt of Vancleave.

Dewayne Landon Ryan, born to Darlana Sue Harris Rice of Vancleave.

Aubrianna Raine Coltharp, born to Robert Joe Coltharp and Khrysthal Monique Moore of Moss Point.

Jayden Christopher-Alexander Jackson, born to Kenneth Terrill Jackson and Cynthia JoAnn Blanks of Gautier.

Jan. 15

Chloe Ann McCool, born to April Sue Killingsworth of Pascagoula

Jayden Khyree Matthews, born to Alexis Nicole Thomas of Pascagoula.

Addison Marie Seymour, born to Adam Joseph Seymour and Morgan Alexis Brosh of D'Iberville.

Chase Lane Clark, born to Orbie Glenn Clark and Jacquelyn Anita McQueen of Lucedale.

Braydon Lee Perkins, born to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lee Perkins (Amber Christine Hill) of Ocean Springs.

Morgan Simone Bates, born to Charles Bernard Bates and Tiffany Rena Preyear of Moss Point.

Jan. 16

Addyson Cheri Amacker, born to Kimon Lane Amacker and Cassie Katherine Emmitt of Pascagoula.

Jan. 17

Ki'Mani Jerrell Crosby, born to Raquel Delice Dubose of Moss Point.

Jan. 18

Colie Rochelle Migues and Kylie Rockelle Migues, born to Rocky Jonathan Migues and Gabrielle Denise Daniels of Biloxi.

Jan. 19

Justice Eugenia Dixon McCovery, born to Eryca Yvette McCovery of Pascagoula.

Ethan Lavelle Nichelson, born to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Malone Nichelson (Stacy Lynn Green) of Lucedale.

Whitley Elizabeth Linscott, born to Mr. and Mrs. Steven Ray Linscott of Lucedale.

Jan. 20

Violet Paige Gibson, born to Wendy Joyce Baker of Moss Point.

Blayne Scott Welch, born to Mr. And Mrs. Brandon Scott Welch (Amber Louise Krohn) of Moss Point

Noah Dwight Adams, born to Amber Lyn Adams of Lucedale.

Jayla Dao Han Nguyen, born to Jenny Back Thi Nguyen of Biloxi.

Kale Conway Fant, born to Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Dwayne Fant (Keira Celeste Green) of Moss Point.

McKenzie Marie Alley, born to Chad Thomas Alley and Kristyne Marie Henderson of Biloxi.

Macey Athaline Clark, born to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Thomas Clark (Karmen Renee Easterling) of Ocean Springs.

LaTaurus Bradley, born to Jennifer Anneice Bradley of Lucedale.

Jan. 21

Ti'cques Key'Chun Thomas, born to Tyi Lajuana Thomas of Pascagoula.

Morgan Elizabeth Gore, born to Samuel Thomas Gore and Deedee Elizabeth Driver of Moss Point.

Jayden Allen Williams, born to Gregory Wayne Williams and April Louise Fallin of Biloxi.

Andrew Seth Kunkle, born to Leighann Renee Kunkle of Pascagoula.

Laterrius Jamorris Tolbert, born to Tyrone Laterrence Tolbert and Alexis Nicole Thompson of Gulfport.

Kanai Marie Mason, born to Kareem Lamar Mason and Demeira Roshanna Boulware of Ocean Springs.

Jan. 22

Nizoria Shilaysia Thompson, born to Martina Alexis Cox of Gautier.

Leah Christine Eubanks, born to Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Robert Eubanks (Heather Marie Wood) of Moss Point.

Jackson Reid Napiontek, born to Mr. and Mrs. John Conrad Napiontek III (Andrea Marie Dickinson) of Biloxi.

Austin Ryan Scrivner, born to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wayne Scrivner (Holly Deanna Shelgrove) of Vancleave.

James Jaylin Moore, born to James Howard Moore and Willa Marie Merritt of Leakesville.

Jan. 23

Jokcan Algenis Navarro, born to Leslie Zueika Lopez of Pascagoula.

Bailey Ellen Haddox-Roth, born to Matthew Navarre Roth and Leah Cheri Haddox of Ocean Springs.

Payten Wesley Pattat, born to Tara Elise Pattat of Ocean Springs.

Jan. 24

Mahogany E'Yunna Bradley, born to Gloria Deloria King of Pascagoula.

Landon Wesley Holland, born to Kayla Leighanne Wilder of Lucedale.

Jan. 25

Luke Jameson Burge, born to Mr. and Mrs. William Lawrence Burge (Allison Marie Brown) of Lucedale.

Jordan Adrianna Rayner, born to Tommy Richard Rayner and Karen Leanne Ladnier of Moss Point.

Ethan James-Edwin Byrd, born to Jamie Nicole Binkney of Vancleave.

Jan. 26

Vandon Terrell Mayes Jr., born to Mr. and Mrs. Vandon Terrell Mayes (Misti Lynn Burnett) of Moss Point.

Ronreco Lashawn Lee Broughton Jr., born to Shanterrica Alicia Ogarro of Moss Point.

Hunter Josiah Sharp, born to Crystal Leigh Sharp of Gautier.

Matthew William Myers, born to Mr. and Mrs. Bill Harbin Myers (Bridgette Kay Garringer) of Ocean Springs.

Skylar Reign Nixon, born to Daniel Edward Nixon and Angela Dawn Johnson of Biloxi.

Corey Demetrius Garraway Jr., born to Corey Demetrius Garray and Terri Latricia Summers of Pascagoula.

Jan. 27

Jaxon Malik Summers, born to Jessica Maria Summers of Moss Point.

Audrey Breonna Patterson, born to Lanora Frozene Patterson of Gautier.

Addison Marie Bosarge, born to Mr. and Mrs. John Mark Bosarge (Tiffany Renee Loupe) of Ocean Springs.

Jan. 28

Carlos DeMon Fagan Jr., born to Mr. and Mrs. Carlos DeMon Fagan (Tameka Nicole Harris) of Moss Point.

Lillie Maeola Ladner, born to Alice Rena Stokely of Lucedale.

Daniel Glenn Owen, born to Daniel William Owen and Mindy Marie Chandler of Gulfport.

Aiden Christopher Riley, born to Mr. and Mrs. Steven Christopher Riley (Courtney Chantell Guidroz) of Vancleave.

Jan. 29

Jerepatrick Jolando Lawrence, born to Mr. and Mrs. Delancy Vashon Lawrence (Shawanda Denise Collins) of Moss Point.

Antonio Dewayne Kennedy II, born to Antonio Dewayne Kennedy and Erica Latrice Gaines of Pascagoula.

Jan. 30

Morghan Rickayla Marion, born to Rickey Cordero Marion and Kashelia Rochelle Lett of Moss Point.

Preston Lee Cox, born to Mr. and Mrs. Billy Ray Cox (Brandy Nicole Allen) of Moss Point.

James Antonio Riley, born to James Riley Jr. and Marjorie Sharrie Gaines of Biloxi.

Joshua Howard Hughes Jr., born to Joshua Howard Hughes Sr. and Tiffany Michelle Jordan of Gulfport.

Rance Oneal Helton, born to Mr. and Mrs. Archie Oneal Helton (Amber Lakeisha Allen) of Lucedale.

Jan. 31

Trevor Eules Purvis, born to Shawn Eric Purvis and Crystal Dawn Thrasher of Ocean Springs.

Jaden Javon-Deric Hardy, born to Aldarious Aundrey Hardy and Yasmine Brianca Agee of Gautier.

Sa'Maria Lyzeixon, born to Donna Denise Gordon of Gautier.

Arica Kaylee Forehand, born to Michael Brandon Forehand and Dashena Cashet Riley of Lucedale.

Emberlynn Grace Lockwood

Emberlynn Grace Lockwood turned two years on Jan. 1, the New Year baby of 2007 born in Jackson County.

She shares the day with her grandfather, Robert Lockwood, and deceased uncle Glen Guthrie, according to a news report by the Press-Register.

Mother Jessica Lockwood of Pascagoula said Emberlynn wasn't due for another two weeks. However, Ginger Lockwood was sure her first grandchild would arrive on New Year's Day.

Baby New Year

UPDATE:

Wiggins couple Brittaney Warden and Travis McNeill are the proud parents of six-pound 10-ounce Tristan Newsome McNeill, born Jan. 01, 2009, after eight hours of labor. He is 19 inches long.

Dr. Joanna Trus, a 20-year physician, delivered her first New Year's baby.

“We thought he was going to be born at midnight, but was born at 12:01 a.m. on the dot,” McNeill said. “Brittaney and I love him to pieces and cannot wait to have a nice family.”

Follow the links to read and see more about this story.

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Reportedly, the first baby of 2009 in South Mississippi was born at 12:01 a.m. at Memorial Hospital of Gulfport in Harrison County. The child was a boy.

No information is availabe yet on the name of the new arrival and his parents.

Also no information yet on newest arrivals in Jackson County at Singing River Health System's two hospitals in Pascagoula and Ocean Springs and Hancock Medical Center in Bay St. Louis.

ItsYourBirthdayBabies! will wait through New Year's Day to provide a complete update Friday.

Lillian Grace Wells

Lillian Grace Wells will celebrate her first birthday in two days.

Moss Point parents Brian and Lisa Wells and sister Katelynn welcomed Lillian into the family a year ago Jan. 3, 2008.

Lillian's grandparents include Ken and Shelia Turner and Jerry and Gloria Gunter. Great-grandparents are Charles Turner and Hewitt Goodman.