America’s Famous Octuplets: The Chukwu and Suleman Families

In an age of fertility drugs and innovations in pre-natal and post-natal medical care, multiple birth pregnancies do not seem all that unusual. Triplets are not all that unique. And twins seem, in this day and age, to almost be a common occurrence. But when there are four or more babies born simultaneously, we tend to perk up our ears.

Although there have been reported births of nine or more babies, a multiple birth of octuplets, or eight babies, seems to generally reach the outer limits of the human capacity for multiples. When octuplets are born, it is often a cause for both celebration and concern. Because of the rarity of octuplets, octuplet families throughout the world often go on to have a certain notoriety.

There are famous octuplets in the United States. Known as the first set of octuplets live-born in the United States, the Chukwu octuplets, of Houston, Texas, have gone on to create a media presence that has persisted for ten years. Regularly appearing on television, these famous octuplets, either collectively or individually, have appeared on TV news programs, interview shows, and daytime talk programs. Some of the family members tour the country as part of family wellness awareness campaigns.

Even more notable, and perhaps controversial, are the Suleman octuplets, born in January 2009. These siblings are only the second set of octuplets to ever be born live in the United States. Due to a media interest in mother Nadya Suleman, the famous octuplets of the Suleman family have managed to capture the ongoing attention of many Americans. Not a week goes by that these octuplets and their mother (who, incidentally, resembles actress Angelina Jolie) are not, in some way, in the spotlight. Nadya Suleman, dubbed ‘Octomom’ by the media, is seen often on the cover of tabloids. Eyebrows have been raised over the appropriateness of her undergoing fertility treatments to give birth to the octuplets when she already had six children. She also raised the ire of many when it was revealed that she supported her numerous children with the aid of government assistance.

Regardless our opinions ‘Octomom’, we can only hope that as their lives progress, the famous octuplet babies of the Suleman family will continue to receive as much press as has their mother. If they follow in the footsteps of the Chukwu octuplets and turn their access to the media into a source of good rather than a source of tabloid news, then they will have been able to use the unusual circumstances of their birth to best advantage.

Peter Wendt is a writer and researcher specializing in Austin midwife service. For readers who are interested in learning more about this subject, Peter recommends they check out AustinABCSouth.com.