A result of infertility

Recent scientific breakthroughs have given millions of infertile women the chance to have a child. So many lucky babies have been born into wonderful homes and to fantastic parents with the help of in vitro fertilization and other artificial means.

However, one of the controversies among many associated with artificial insemination is the option for a mother to have selective reduction. This process reduces the number of fertilized embryos in the womb, preventing multiple births. 

A good candidate for this alternative would have been Nadya Doud, who gave birth to octuplets last Monday. Doud, already a single mother of six – each born with the help of in vitro fertilization – is in over her head, and doctors should have questioned her sanity before they inserted eight embryos into her body.

There are certain factors parents must take into account before deciding to have a baby. Whether or not they have the means to financially support the baby through its childhood is one example.

According to ABC News, public records indicate that Doud’s mother recently filed for bankruptcy. Doud will find it difficult to provide for 14 kids on her parents’ combined monthly income of $8,740 – I don’t care how many coupons they clip.

I respect and admire many single mothers for taking on the responsibility of another life without the help of a spouse. However, Doud isn’t the typical single mom. Her decision to bring so many children into a world without the ideal circumstances for newborn babies was selfish and impulsive.

These kids are doomed. Their mother doesn’t even have the means to hire a babysitter, and yet she has 14 kids, all younger than seven. Without a babysitter, Doud won’t be able to leave the house unless she is toting all 14 children. 

If the average minivan seats seven passengers, that means that each kid will have to double-buckle for the next nine years until the oldest gets a driver’s license and can help take over half of the driving responsibilities. Since double-buckling is unsafe, let’s hope these kids make it nine years without broken limbs.

A statement released by the Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center, where the five-minute delivery took place, mentioned that the newborns are being tube-fed donated breast milk. Doud has to mooch breast milk from other mothers because, shockingly, she doesn’t have enough resources to provide for eight babies.

The Doud family is going to be the most high-maintenance family in suburban Los Angeles. Their neighbors will be stuck doing so many favors that the whole neighborhood will qualify for the Good Samaritan of the Year Award.

I disapprove of Doud’s decision to opt out of selective reduction, but I am especially disappointed in her doctors for inserting so many embryos in the body of a woman who wanted to get pregnant so she could “have one more girl.”

This event raises so many questions regarding modern science, parental responsibility and the ethics of the doctors we trust with our lives. I wish the Doud children the best of luck.