The World’s First Surviving Septuplets Are All Grown Up
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We all know that giving birth to twins and triplets are no walk in the park. But having 7 babies and taking care of all of them at once is a whole different ballgame!
The septuplets who made headlines in the 1990s are all grown up now to be wonderful individuals with distinct identities and dreams. The Iowa couple gave birth to seven babies in 1997. After being born 9 weeks premature and around 3 pounds, the septuplets overcame everything and are the world’s first surviving septuplets. They were featured in an issue of Time magazine and were also invited by Oprah Winfrey on her show. The family fenced off the public and media for the most part which allowed the septuplets to enjoy a private childhood and also savor each milestone of their lives.
When Kenny and Bobbi McCaughey first came to know about the seven fetuses in the ultrasound scan, the doctor told them about ‘selective reduction’. But it was never an option for the two as keeping the seven babies was a no-brainer for the couple. On November 19, 1997, Bobbi was rushed to the hospital and all seven babies were born within 6 minutes. A team of 66 hospital staff was involved in the planning of the C-section. There were 4 boys and 3 girls- Kenny Jr, Nathan, Brandon, Joel, Alexis, Natalie, and Kelsey who were identified as A, B, C, D, E, F, G until then. Funds and help poured in from every corner after their birth, which was especially important as Nathan and Alexis had cerebral palsy.
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Finding Their Own Paths…
The team of 7 are all grown up now and pursuing their own interests in life. The fourth oldest sibling Kelsey says that they are all learning to live life on their own and discovering their different skill sets and talents. They were born and bought up in a close-knit family where they shared their birthdays every year by blowing seven candles. After graduating from high school, they all took different paths. While Brandon went off to join the US military overseas, Natalie, Kelsey, Nathan, Alexis, and Joel are studying at the Hannibal-LaGrange University in Missouri. And Kenny Jr. Is attending a vocational training program in building trades. After living their whole lives in Iowa for 18 years, they have now made a drastic transition of moving away from their home and their parents. But the septuplets embraced it with open arms and were able to form new friendships and relationships in their new place.
Although it’s going to be a different and weird experience, Kelsey says that it will be good to break out of their comfort zone and talk to new people. Kenny, who is going to vocational classes, thinks that it will be a good change going on their separate paths as they have been together with each other for the last 18 years in Iowa.
Brandon, who completed his basic training from Fort Benning in Georgia, feels that things will be a little different without all his siblings. But he will be keeping in contact with all of them, so things wouldn’t be so bad. And since he has always been taught to manage things on his own and also work towards things he wants in life without anyone’s help, he believes it would help him in the military. With all the kids gone, the house sure is going to be quieter for the couple.
The Iowa couple has another daughter, Mikayla who is an elder sister to the septuplets. The mother Bobbi McCaughey had trouble conceiving the first child after which she decided to take a fertility drug. Their birth had captured global attention as it was a scientific miracle, but it also throws light on the probable consequences of fertility drugs and treatments.
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