Octuplet Mom Wants $2 Million, Oprah, and Free Diapers

[tekisui]

America is the land of opportunity, and here in Los Angeles County we have one woman who is ready to take any she can get. Nadya Suleman, the 33-year-old single mother of 14--including those headline-making octuplets born a week ago--has a proposition for the world: Make her a star...and pay for her children.

Suleman is already prepping to do television interviews with media powerhouse Oprah Winfrey and Good Morning America's Diane Sawyer, and hopes that her story compels companies to kick in with corporate sponsorships. High priority: Diapers, since she's going to be changing well over 250 of them a week for the next couple of years. Also, the woman who described herself as a "professional student" (and whose mother calls her "obsessed" with having kids) plans to have "a career as a television childcare expert," according to the Australian. Right now she's living off student loans and grants, and living in the Whittier home her parents bought her--right before they found themselves in so much debt they wound up declaring bankruptcy and moving in with her.

But Suleman's shining star might be a bit too tarnished. Not only did her own mother, Angela Suleman, paint her daughter in a less-than-flattering light, but details about the single mom's pregnancies, particularly this last one, are raising more than just eyebrows--they're raising some serious ethical questions.

All of Suleman's children were born through in vitro fertlilization, and there is speculation that she lied to her current doctor in order to be allowed to have her last 4 frozen embryos be planted. The 4 became 8 due to her hyperstimulated reproductive system, but "in choosing to carry all eight to term, Ms Suleman ignored guidelines, risking both their health and her own." Experts question the choice to implant so many, as well as remarked that IVF patients must pass a psychological evaluation before undergoing the procedure.

(snip)

Nadya Suleman is relying on the public's help to care for her 14 children, which include a set of 2-year-old twins and one autistic son, all of whom are under 7 years old. She broke up with her last boyfriend before the birth of her first child, and while the paternity of her octuplets is not known, it's believed she used a sperm donation from a friend.

more: http://laist.com/2009/02/02/octuplet_mom_wants_2_million_oprah.php


ETA: last paragraph

[ogneopasno]

1. We all do, honey. We all do.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

2. I want Keira Knightley and a 7 figure salary,

but that ain't likely to happen either.

[BOSSHOG]

45. Give Me Geena Davis

three Pizzas, a case of beer and a Motel Room for a weekend. That young lady and her 14 kids are pissing me off.

[JackRiddler]

91. Yum! Geena!

[SidneyCarton]

75. I'll trade you...

You can keep Keira, if I can have the $$$

(Mrs. Carton would not approve of the vice versa) ;)

[nxylas]

3. It's the American dream

Getting richly rewarded for non-existent talents (see also: Joe the Plumber).

[Deja Q]

30. Forgive me, but I think she's talented

At least, in the baby makin' department.

[kestrel91316]

Well, not quite. Apparently all 14 of them required fertility assistance.

I call that EPIC FAIL.

[Hello_Kitty]

4. All the people on DU who are defending her should be the first to contribute

A "professional student" who is "obsessed" with having kids and wants a "career as a television childcare expert".

[Stargazer09]

72. Well, I sort of defended her

Before I knew the whole story. I thought people were being too hard on her, but that was before the truth came out.

Now, I'm pretty disgusted.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Could she wind up losing her children if someone tries to make a case for and

can prove neglect or endangerment?

[Marrah_G]

10. I hope child services watches this family very carefully.

The mother is obviously self absorbed and mentally unstable.

[bunnies]

6. Duggar syndrome.

Thats what happens when companies and tv stations reward irresponsible breeding. I speculated with mr. bunnies that free shit and money was her motive. Surprise, I was right. This woman should be horrifically ashamed of herself. :puke:

[Blue_Tires]

41. +1

her entitlement complex is THE most appalling I've ever seen...it doesn't help that she has a lot of enablers around her, too...

[galaxy21]

47. In fairness, this is a lot more twisted than the Duggars

Yeah, I don't agree with them having 18 kids, but you know, they had them one at a time, they can take care of them, and there's a father figure around. They also don't set out to have eight kids at once, endangering the kids life and the mother's. This is way worse than what they're doing, because at least the duggars can take care of the kids, well, I assume they do, this woman can't take care of 14 kids herself.

[bunnies]

51. I agree with you.

But I have no doubt that seeing people rewarded the way the Duggars have been has contributed to this womans sick behavior. When: Have a zillion babies = get free shit and free money its not hard to see that some might see it as incentive.

Myself, I question whether this twisted whackjob is fit to have kids at all. IMHO, it would be criminal to reward her for what she's done.

[DeschutesRiver]

83. Way more twisted, can't believe I am defending them, but...

I am childless and not a "believer" of anything, so they definitely are not my cup of tea. I did watch one episode where they were all hell bent excited over visiting a "creationist" museum - never knew those existed. Okay, it was really creepy to me.

But I don't see them being irresponsible like this dumb woman - I think if no one gave the Duggars free anything they would make it just fine. They seem to like being parents and parenting, so I have zero issue with them popping out as many as possible.

For what it is worth, old Jim-Bob Duggar was a state legislator from '99-02 serving in the Arkansas House of Reps; they own some commercial real estate that they rent, and they sell real estate. So the family has done public service, and is gainfully employed. They have their g'normous number of kids because of their convictions/beliefs, and they pay their way. If they can also parlay the whole family into some extra cash and goods, more power to them.

This other woman? Professional "student" who gets bright idea that if she has fertility treatments and pops out enough young'uns, someone will make her a star, pay her gobs of bucks, fund the family, do a movie, write a book. Freaking parasite, feel sorry for her poor kids. She won't be raising them, I don't think she has much interest in doing a hands on job of it. The Duggar people, otoh, make it clear that it is a priority.

Maybe this dumb witch can go run for state legislator? Get a real job? She "made" herself some children products to sell. She needs to go into another line of business, because public favor is not on her side here. Big error in judgment on her part.

[SidneyCarton]

76. Creepy.

I still support the right for non-interference into people's procreative lives, but only because I believe most of us have the common sense to only have as many children as we can take care of. (considering the state of modern birth control, this is not as difficult as it once was) Those who see this kind of stuff as a meal ticket are despicable.

[ORDagnabbit]

7. so the woman loses 2 homes, declares bankruptcy, lives with mom, has 6 other kids and now demands

after having 8 more she's a celebrity and needs to be taken care of?

[Marrah_G]

11. I have no trouble stating that I think she is mentally ill

and probably should not be allowed to raise children.

[spoony]

28. Mentally ill or, as you also said, "Greedy pathetic attention seeking little brat"

Which is it? Is she in need of help or scorn?

[Marrah_G]

34. Both- But not the kind of "help" she is looking for

Read the interview from her mother.

Mentally ill people can also be greedy, pathetic attention seeking brats.

Your defense of the actions taken by this woman is pretty funny though.

[spoony]

44. Then you've rather missed what I've been saying

I've only ever argued a few, basic things:

1. People have reproductive rights that ought not be regulated by the government but should be between people and their doctors
2. People who receive public aid are not beholden to individual tax-payers to justify themselves (in other words, no a poster here doesn't get a say just because this woman may need public aid, any more than they get a say for anyone else on public aid)

I have said very little about this woman in particular other than that. She is, likely, mentally ill and her doctor did her a disservice. Life for that family will be hard. There is no denying any of that, and nowhere will you find me having said it was a good choice or good idea or anything of the sort. There's nothing to find funny there.

And mentally ill people act out of illness, not out of the normal sense of the term greed. And if she is ill she should be helped, not used as DU's whipping horse for the egos of gossipy posters who like looking down their noses at others.

[mitchum]

66. She is a freaking sociopath

[Marrah_G]

8. What a piece of work she is

Greedy pathetic attention seeking little brat.

Putting her own children at risk for her own selfish desires.

I hope Oprah and the rest tell her to fuck off. I hope the corporations tell her to fuck off. And lastly, I hope child welfare is up her proverbial ass with a microscope.

[Sugar Smack]

56. I think Oprah has an ethical responsibility

to not invite this woman onto her show: stupid's contagious. Subhuman motives get rewarded, and it certainly doesn't help to have all those enablers surrounding her.

[TwilightGardener]

9. How in the world will this mentally-ill woman have any "career" with

fourteen children--including some with significant medical problems and disabilities? She needs a psych eval. I hope Oprah/et al don't touch this wackaloon with a ten-foot pole.

[blues90]

12. She's out of her mind!

What , now you become famous by having far too many children because of medical intervention when she had 6 children already and then become wealthy on top of that? There is really something wrong with this entire mindset.

I don't want to hear her story or know her reasons for being insane. But you know the news has made thsi the story of the month and she will probably get the interview , this is how crazy things have gotten.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

13. Her other kids are 7, 6, 5, 3, and 2 (twins).

I really hope someone's looking in on them.

[tekisui]

15. All of those, apparently, were through in vitro fertilization, as well.

[chill_wind]

16. I hear you! :-(

[tekisui]

23. One of the boys is autistic.

This woman is mentally ill.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

68. This is truly frightening.

Get this woman and her children some help.

[Wapsie B]

14. Will Jerry Springer please pick up the white courtesy phone?

[Deja Q]

17. Why not Maury?

He has more to do with kiddies than Springer, who prefers KKK twerps or love triangles.

[dysfunctional press]

20. but since they were all invitro, they already know who the father is...

so what more could maury really do? :shrug:

jerry oth, does like to highlight the white trash- maybe he could branch out into iraqi trash as well...

[ecstatic]

90. LMAO!!!! nt

[Skinner]

18. Hmmm. It's becoming clearer now.

Kinda makes you wonder about the perverse incentives that might lead someone to actually *want* to carry 8 kids to term. You can be famous! A career as a TV childcare expert! Free Pampers! Octuplets: It's like winning the lottery!

On a more serious note:

Are there any doctors, biologists, or other experts here on DU who could weigh in on how a "hyperstimulated reproductive system" could cause 4 embryos to become 8? I always thought that identical twins were just random. Does the mother's reproductive system have any influence on twinning? And if so, what is the likelihood that four embryos could become eight?

Let me just say that everything about this story makes me skeptical.

[countryjake]

29. Nothin' clear about that...four becomes eight?

That was the line in this article which made me go hmmm...how could that be?

Maybe the "Learning" channel advanced this gal the money to go for eight embryos, to top their freak exhibit which is currently airing. None of the reports on this "birth" seem to be above board, so far, and more questions come up with every new story.

Hard to read anything about this without being skeptical!

[TXDemGal]

88. They embryos split after being placed in the uterus?

That's my guess.

[Midlodemocrat]

35. Hyperstimulated Reproductive System doesn't actually exist.

More than likely, what that person was referring to is ovarian hyperstimulation, which is one of the ways that a women can release the largest amount of eggs to increase her chances of conceiving. Clomid, Femara are two such drugs that increase stimulation of the ovaries.

I spoke to a friend of mine here in Richmond who is a reproductive OB/GYN, about 'hyperstimulated reproductive system' and he said he had no idea what it was...never heard the term. He also doesn't believe that the four embroys became eight. He thinks there were eight to start with. Obviously, he is just going by the news reports, as are we all, but he doesn't think they're being truthful.

[countryjake]

49. Is there a Doctor in the house?

I just googled "Hyperstimulated Reproductive System" and got "no results". Doesn't ovarian hyperstimulation occur before the actual invitro process, when it would be necessary to harvest eggs for fertilization? Did these extra four embryos experience an immaculate conception, without the aid of sperm, or what?

This event is becoming a smear on the fertilization industry and I'm wondering if maybe that was the goal, all along.

[kestrel91316]

50. 4 >>>> 8? NOT likely, says this veterinarian. Identical twins are very rare,

and for it to happen to all 4 embryos in a single pregnancy is completely unbelievable. The only thing "hyperstimulated" here is this woman's fevered brain. Hormonal hyperstimulation would have caused perhaps multiple ovulations, but that part was a long time ago and not relevant since these were implants, not natural.

JMHO.

[countryjake]

55. Maybe some new drug has been used on her...

something experimental to cause division or something, and she's a guinea pig for some Frankenstein-ian doc who has been attempting new discoveries in fertilization with her all along, which might explain the other six kids. She does have another set of twins.

It's a head-scratcher, for sure.

[kestrel91316]

60. I think she just got tired of having them one at a time and arm-twisted

some jackass doctor into doing all 8. Maybe she blackmailed somebody. God only knows......

[road2000]

81. Postmodern Prometheus.

Something about this whole story, and your comment, made me think of that "X-Files" episode.

[countryjake]

85. Well, it definitely has a "doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo" tone to it...

and putting all sci-fi aside, methinks this poor woman may be in her own private twilight zone.

If she's not already, she will be once these last eight all become teenagers!

[xloadiex]

19. Having multiples is a pretty lucrative business

Take a look at the Gosselin's of Jon and Kate +8 who just purchased a 1.3 million dollar home. They claimed they were destitute when the six were born. Both parents quit their job and still neither parent works. They still cry poor mouth and sell pics of their kids for 20.00 a pop. TLC has made them "stars." Child exploitation at it's finest. Unfortunately, the media isn't printing any of the backlash against these 2 or the damage it is doing to these children.

[The empressof all]

33. It was my understanding that TLC bought them the house

I also believe the network had the house retrofitted with TV lighting throughout. :eyes:

[xloadiex]

46. The old and new house is fitted with industrial lighting

These kids have never known what it's like to not have a camera in their face. There are currently numerous groups trying to get this show off the air. It's obvious the damage it's doing to the children but it keeps the parents on the gravy train. It's known Jon Gosselin shopped this story around even before the 6 were born. Now with 1.3 million dollar home and a million dollar vacation condo in Utah, no wonder multiples are looking good to a few off balance people. It's a cash cow.

[The empressof all]

82. Rumor is they make 60,000 per episode

Certainly not chump change. Between the salaries, free vacations, houses, and gifts they receive they've done very well for themselves. I don't know how much the book deal brought in or how much they receive for other kinds of appearances so there's even more coming in. Honestly Jon doesn't bother me so much. Kate drives me up the frickin wall. Can't wait till Maddie writes that book about life under the lights and her bat shit insane mother.

[liberalhistorian]

96. Excuse me, but the father does work.

And as for Kate, who used to be an OR nurse- I think caring for eight children is more than work enough!!!

[xloadiex]

99. The father Does NOT work

He stays at home. As far as Kate having 8 kids being more than enough work, these 2 have ridden the gravy train off exploiting their children. Kate fails to mention the nannies, chef, and personal assistants she has. Yes, she use to be a nurse but quit when she saw how much money she could make off her children. The same for Jon. From their home town paper. http://www.readingeagle.com/blog.aspx?bid=2&id=18681&t=Joe-the-Plumber-could-take-some-pointers

They are the perfect example for this mom of octuplets. She's willing to sell her kids to the highest bidder just like the Gosselin's and it's the kids who suffer.

[tekisui]

21. She has had all 14 babies without a partner, one child is autistic.

"Nadya Suleman is relying on the public's help to care for her 14 children, which include a set of 2-year-old twins and one autistic son, all of whom are under 7 years old. She broke up with her last boyfriend before the birth of her first child, and while the paternity of her octuplets is not known, it's believed she used a sperm donation from a friend."

http://laist.com/2009/02/02/octuplet_mom_wants_2_million_oprah.php

[Starry Messenger]

22. Poor kids.

:(

[Kashka-Kat]

24. This story REALLY creeps me out.... if any of the child welfare laws apply to emotional/ physical

neglect they should throw the book at her... Actually I'd go for a pre-emptive strike here--DO NOT wait until there is suffering, neglect, hazardous health conditions, etc. This is like a watching a train wreck about to happen.

Who is going to nurture and care for these children? By my calculations 250 diapers x 10 minutes per diaper = a 40 hr work week.

[tekisui]

26. 40 hours on diapers alone, not to mention the other 6 kids, one with autism.

This is a disaster, and she is expecting the public to support her.

[SmileyRose]

42. 250 diapers?

Oh wait that's only 4 or 5 diapers a day per kid isn't it. Damn. 250 diapers a week.

I can't even imagine what percentage of America's landfills are pampers............ :wow:

[liberalhistorian]

97. Parents have lost their children to DSS

for a helluva lot less. And these 14 children, their mother and grandparents are all living in a very small shack. DSS needs to watch them very carefully.

[spoony]

25. But so many of you criticised her for maybe using "your" tax money

Now you're equally angry that she doesn't want it?

[tekisui]

27. The money is the least of my worries,

whether is comes from taxes or media. The children, all 14, were brought into this world, and will suffer because this woman has a mental illness.

[spoony]

32. Yes, she probably does.

Which is part of why I find the nasty comments about her offensive. If she's ill, then she is not acting out of various other base motivations people have attributed to her.

Edit: btw, I wasn't saying YOU made such a comment about taxes in the OP, I meant only to address the whole thread(s) and certain people posting in them.

[Karenina]

53. Anyone who interviews this woman

exploiting her obvious illness and children's plight should be :spank::spank::spank: within an inch of his/her life.

[Carolina]

84. one can be mentally ill AND have base motivations

It applied to Jeffrey Dahmer and applies to this woman as well.

[Dukkha]

31. what a sorry pathetic human being

Hopefully those kids will be taken from her and they will be placed in better homes. Flame all you want but this reckless breeding should not be allowed. All rights come with responsibilities and when they can not be met then you lose your right.

[kestrel91316]

52. Reckless breeding. Completely sums it up.

[MountainLaurel]

36. I guess this is what America gets

For glorifying these families.

[graywarrior]

37. I need money to pay my rent and tuition so I can get out of this bably-less rut I'm in.

I have many talents and charms that are going un-noticed and unpaid.

[Sugar Smack]

79. *Pfft*. Just get a third eye implanted.

:bounce: This whole thing has inspired me to look into it.

[SmileyRose]

38. only 2 mil? She's not setting her sights very high. Only $143 grand a kid?

Her made for TV story will earn 20 times that. She should be demanding 10 Mill.

[RandySF]

39. This does not surprise me

The right wing blogs and radio shows gushed day after day about Sarah Palin's brood and how she "didn't kill the baby" when she gave birth to Trig. If this woman was black, would Ashley Judd have gushed over and over about what a miracle it was? Would we have heard "way to go, mom"?

[Pryderi]

40. Plz to contact Pat Robertson and Right To Life organizations.

[galaxy21]

43. get this woman help

[acmavm]

48. Screw her. Get those poor kids away from her.

[Arkansas Granny]

54. From what I understand, IVF is a very expensive procedure.

From what I have found online the average cost is $12,000.00 per cycle. Has anyone determined how that was paid for? It seems to me that someone who could afford IVF should be able to afford to take care of the children produced.

http://pregnancy.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Cost_of_In_Vitro_Fertilization

[xloadiex]

57. I underwent IVF

Back in 1991. The meds alone were 4000.00+ per cycle. Luckily I had very good insurance at the time and they paid for it. It doesn't sound like she had insurance.

This whole thing sounds fishy to me. Sounds more and more like black market fertility drugs and a turkey baster. I too would like to know how 4 implanted embryos turns into 8 babies because of over stimulated ovaries.

[dixiegrrrrl]

58. The woman was quoted in an earlier story as being " paid to have "

the procedure.
We need more information about that.

Edit: spelling
edit to add:

Here is snip from Huffington Post about the being paid for it :

Yolanda Garcia, 49, of Whittier, said she helped care for Nadya Suleman's autistic son three years ago.

"From what I could tell back then, she was pretty happy with herself, saying she liked having kids and she wanted 12 kids in all," Garcia told the Long Beach Press-Telegram.

"She told me that all of her kids were through in vitro, and I said 'Gosh, how can you afford that and go to school at the same time?'" she added. "And she said it's because she got paid for it."

Garcia said she did not ask for details.

http://tinyurl.com/bqfjvu

[LisaL]

98. Who would pay a woman to have kids? It doesn't make sense.

[Avalux]

59. I hope Oprah steers clear of that woman.

Why reward her for irresponsible behavior? I'm sure it'll happen anyway though.

How did she pay for all those IVFs? :shrug:

[NeedleCast]

61. Oh yeah, this will end well for those children

Teaching children that the best way to make a living is to do something ridiculous then try to essentially extort money for it is probably not the best way to raise them.

"Parents" like this make it hard for me to give a shit about future generations.

[Moostache]

62. Has Ann Coulter called this woman the scurge of humanity yet?

Just wondering....or do you have to be a minority to qualify for Ann Coulter's venomous tripe?

[countryjake]

63. Don't know, but I've heard religious zealots proclaim IVF "tinkering with god's will"...

there seems to be a gathering storm amongst those sorts, using this one case as their "poster babies" to roundly condemn any fertilization process, regardless of whether it is actually helpful to childless couples or used to extort celebrity, hit tv shows, and cash awards for breeding.

[treestar]

78. As long as they are white, Annthrax will have no problem with this

Plenty of cannon fodder for future wars.

[Pryderi]

64. For some reason, "free diapers" became "freepers" in my mind...

[mitchum]

65. For what? Cockroaches, house flies, and stray dogs also reproduce

popping out offspring is not really a remarkable accomplishment

[Ilsa]

67. That poor autistic child. I bet the noise has him putting his fingers in

his ears all day and half the night.

How pathetic. Having lots of children doesn't make you a parenting expert. Her disgusting dream is her other children's nightmare.

I hope Oprah turns her down. We don't need this shit sensationalized.

[LisaL]

100. How far apart are her six previous children?

They are said to be between 2 and 7. Six of them. How long does one usually wait after pregnancy before going for the next round of IVF?

[Javaman]

69. So much stupid here, it's really hard to define it.

a mother that aspires to be a human puppy farm, a willing donor that was enticed to contribute his sperm, a mother who destroyed her own future by acting as an enabler to a seriously deluded daughter, a doctor who now claims to have been "duped". So much stupid to spread around here, there just isn't enough bread in the world.

[PVnRT]

70. So...how the hell did she pay for the fertilization treatments?

I have health insurance and still shell out $100+ a month in co-pays.

[tnlefty]

71. This is just getting stranger. I had a referral from my gynocologist

and my records were transferred 2 months before my initial appointment so that the infertility specialist would have time to review my history. How could she have just lied and why would an infertility doc treat her without a full medical history?

[City Lights]

73. Maybe her television appearances will result in some free mental health care.

She's a few eggs shy of a dozen. :crazy:

[ima_sinnic]

74. my heart goes out to the older children--they will be totally neglected now

--8 babies, a built-in daycare clientele, will take 24-hr care. that mother will not have a minute for the others.

I have a feeling that she was tired of the older ones as soon as they outgrew babyhood.

Watch for this freak to be in the news again in 2 years when those 8 babies are getting tiresome. She wants BABIES, not children. She should have just invested in a warehouse full of baby dolls.

[Runcible Spoon]

77. Human puppy mill, how fucking sad and disgusting. I would really like to track down the "doctor(s)"

who hand their hands in this. :grr:

[Dappleganger]

80. Opportunistic child hoarder.

[pettypace]

86. I love this story

only one that gets the same reaction from both DU and Free Republic.

Its all spilled milk - I hope she gets those TV interviews, otherwise it'll be up to the California taxpayers for footing this single woman's 14 kids.

Can't wait to see her explain herself on TV, by the way.

[SoCalDem]

87. She may have to settle for a visit from CPS

Her mother's on record as WANTING HER AND HER KIDS OUT!

she's got 14 kids aged 7 and under, and the job she had at the clinic is probably a goner now..who could afford child care for 14 kids:(

If mom stands her ground, she's a HOMELESS mom with 14 kids , 7 *& under..

Those kids are prime targets for placement into the foster care system:(

[ecstatic]

89. Oprah's going to rip her to shreds. She clearly

doesn't understand who she's dealing with. :crazy: You don't do some crazy sh*t like this expecting a handout and $$$. What's to stop everyone else from doing the same?

[LisaL]

93. Oh I don't know. The idea that children could be born

severely disabled or die because they are so premature might stop at least some people from trying to have 8 kids at once.

[ecstatic]

95. That's true

You couldn't pay me 2 mil to exploit my potential offspring that way. But in this rough economy I'm sure many others would!

[Canuckistanian]

92. Or else what? n/t

[Taverner]

94. I want Three Floyds to distribute to CA, a Million dollars and orgasms at the touch of a button

But hey, honey....

It don't work that way!