Clinical Excellence
Updated 8 p.m. PDT Monday, April 13 (Originally published January 26, 2009)
Octuplets Born at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Bellflower, Calif.
The babies — six boys and two girls — were delivered Jan. 26. The most recent updates will be published at the top of this page The original posting can be found at the bottom of this page.
Updated 8 p.m. (PDT) Monday, April 13
Kaiser Permanente Discharges Baby Jonah, the Last of the Octuplets
BELLFLOWER, Calif – The last of the octuplets, baby Jonah, was discharged from Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center earlier this evening and has now gone home to be with his brothers and sisters.
At 4 lbs 10 ounces, Jonah has now demonstrated that he can gain weight, maintain his body temperature and is able to bottle feed. He was the smallest of the octuplets at birth, weighing just 1 pound 8 ounces. He progressed steadily since that time and is now ready to go home.
"This is an historic and a joyous moment for all of us," said Mandhir Gupta, MD, neonatologist at the Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. "The birth of the octuplets on January 26th was a special moment for each of the 52 doctors, nurses, and other caregivers who brought them into the world. Today is the culmination of that dream – eight healthy babies who are strong and ready to thrive," he added.
The discharge was private at the request of the mother.
Kaiser Permanente Discharges One More Suleman Octuplet
BELLFLOWER, Calif — Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center discharged another of the Suleman Octuplets from the hospital earlier today. The discharged baby is:
- Josiah Angel (Baby G) — 4 lb. 8 oz
The infant is bottle feeding, gaining weight and able to maintain his body temperature.
"Every day that passes is a milestone in the lives and care of the octuplets,” said Mandhir Gupta, MD, neonatologist at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. “Being able to send another baby home is a significant step in their development.”
The remaining baby continues to progress well and remains at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. He continues gaining weight and remains on formula and donated pasteurized breast milk.
The discharge was private at the request of the mother.
Updated 5 p.m. (PDT) Thursday, March 26
Kaiser Permanente Discharges Two More Suleman Octuplets
BELLFLOWER, Calif. – Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center discharged two more of the Suleman Octuplets from the hospital this afternoon. The discharged babies are:
- Makai Angel (Baby F) — 5 pounds, 5 ounces
- Jeremiah Angel (Baby H) — 5 pounds, 14 ounces
Both infants are able to bottle feed, are gaining weight and are able to maintain their body temperature.
"Today was a special day for all of us as the babies celebrated their two month birthday," said Mandhir Gupta, MD, neonatologist at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. "Over these past several weeks we have seen these little ones flourish, grow stronger each day, which is rewarding for each of us who have cared for them."
The remaining two babies continue to progress well and remain at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. Both continue gaining weight and remain on either formula or donated pasteurized breast milk.
The discharge was private at the request of the mother.
Updated 5 p.m. (PDT) Saturday, March 21
Kaiser Permanente Discharges Two More Suleman Octuplets
BELLFLOWER, Calif. — Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center discharged two more of the Suleman Octuplets from the hospital this afternoon. The discharged babies are:
- Maliyah Angel (Baby B) — 5 pounds, 1.5 ounces
- Nariyah Angel (Baby D) — 5 pounds, 2 ounces.
Both infants are able to bottle feed, are gaining weight and are able to maintain their body temperature.
"This is another important milestone in the care of the octuplets," said Mandhir Gupta, MD., neonatologist at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. "Each day, these babies bring joy to our staff members along with a reminder of their role in the historic birth and care of the octuplets."
The remaining four babies continue to progress well and remain at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. All continue gaining weight and remain on either formula or donated pasteurized breast milk.
The discharge was private at the request of the mother.
Updated 5 p.m. (PDT) Thursday, March 19
Kaiser Permanente Discharges First Two Suleman Octuplets
BELLFLOWER, Calif. — Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center discharged two of the Suleman Octuplets from the hospital earlier this evening. The discharged babies are:
- Noah Angel (Baby A) — 5 lbs. 13 oz.
- Isaiah Angel (Baby C) — 5 lbs.
Both infants are able to bottle feed, are gaining weight and are able to maintain their body temperature.
"This is a happy moment for everyone — the family, physicians, nurses and entire NICU staff," said Mandhir Gupta, MD, neonatologist at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. "It is always rewarding whenever a premature infant goes home as a healthy baby."
After several home visits Kaiser Permanente determined that Ms. Suleman has safe housing, sufficient child care support and the supplies and equipment needed to care for the first two octuplets.
The remaining six babies continue to progress well and remain at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. All continue gaining weight and remain on either formula or donated pasteurized breast milk.
The discharge was private at the request of the mother.
Updated Thursday, Feb. 26, 5 p.m. PST
Octuplets — One Month Old and Showing Good Progress
Kaiser Permanente's Bellflower Medical Center health update indicates good progress for all eight of the babies. All eight of the Suleman babies continue on room air and also no longer need intravenous supplemental nutrition. All eight of the babies are gaining weight and continue being fed donated pasteurized breast milk. The introduction of nipple (bottle) feeding is beginning slowly.
"At one month old, the babies are doing well," said Mandhir Gupta, MD, neonatologist at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. "They are alert and responsive to the care our nurses are providing them. In fact, we are slowly introducing them to nipple or bottle feeding a few times a day, and they're getting better and better at coordinating sucking, swallowing and breathing. Our nurses can't help but smile as each in turn gets stronger."
Medical Team Summary: The delivery team was led by Karen Maples, MD, chief, Obstetrics, Harold Henry, MD, director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Mandhir Gupta, MD, Neonatology, and Jalil Riazi, MD, chief, Anesthesiology. The team — numbering 52 in total — also included three obstetricians, two anesthesiologists, seven neonatologists, seven respiratory therapists, 11 Neonatal ICU RNs, 13 labor and delivery RNs and nine other medical health professionals.
Medical Care Summary: The Bellflower delivery and care teams continue to provide the high-quality health care needed by the newborns and their mother. The babies continue to be cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Kaiser Permanente did not provide the in vitro fertilization services for the mother of the octuplets, who was 12 weeks pregnant when she sought her maternity care with us. All patients facing multiple births are counseled about their options, including selective reduction. The patient always makes their own decision. Kaiser Permanente follows the guidelines of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in the fertility services we provide.
Updated Wednesday, Feb. 25, 5 p.m. PST
Kaiser Permanente Statement Regarding Recent Media Inquiries
Kaiser Permanente released this statement today regarding recent media interest in the status of the Suleman octuplets:
"Any conversations that the mother may or may not have had on this topic are private and we could not discuss them. "In general, mothers with multiple births who have babies in the neonatal intensive care unit are given advice and counsel about what they need to have in place to care for the children when they are discharged. There is a multi-disciplinary team that works with them in advance to offer advice and support."
Updated Wednesday, Feb. 11, 1 p.m. PST
Babies' Health Status: All eight of the Suleman babies are on room air, and all continue being tube-fed donated pasteurized breast milk. Only two of the six are being supplemented with the intravenous nutritional combination.
"There are small positive signs every day as the eight babies continue making good progress in their development," said Mandhir Gupta, MD, neonatologist at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. "Our Bellflower NICU team has the expertise and the watchful attention needed to help each of the babies reach their optimum weight."
The next update will be on Feb. 26, unless there is a development before then.
Mother's Health Status: The mother is in good health, and was discharged from the hospital Feb. 5.
Birth Summary: The eight babies — six boys and two girls — were delivered by scheduled Cesarean section on Jan. 26, at the Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. The mother had carried the babies nearly 31 weeks. Ultrasounds had confirmed only seven babies in utero, prior to the delivery. The eighth baby, while a surprise, was delivered without incident.
Medical Team Summary: The delivery team was led by Karen Maples, MD, chief, Obstetrics, Harold Henry, MD, director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Mandhir Gupta, MD, Neonatology, and Jalil Riazi, MD, chief, Anesthesiology. The team — numbering 52 in total — also included three obstetricians, two anesthesiologists, seven neonatologists, seven respiratory therapists, 11 Neonatal ICU RNs, 13 labor and delivery RNs and nine other medical health professionals.
Medical Care Summary: The Bellflower delivery and care teams continue to provide the high-quality health care needed by the newborns and their mother. The babies continue to be cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Kaiser Permanente did not provide the in vitro fertilization services for the mother of the octuplets, who was 12 weeks pregnant when she sought her maternity care with us. All patients facing multiple births are counseled about their options, including selective reduction. The patient always makes their own decision. Kaiser Permanente follows the guidelines of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in the fertility services we provide.
Updated Friday, Feb. 6, 1 p.m. PST
Babies' Health Status: As the babies continue developing, they are being monitored 24/7 and adjustments are being made for optimal intravenous nutritional supplementation, room air with minimal oxygen if needed, and increasing or decreasing the amount of donated pasteurized breast milk each baby is tube-fed. Tube-feeding means that there is a tube going into the nose and directly into the stomach.
"Our NICU team looks after each premature baby as a unique person, with his or her own needs," said Mandhir Gupta, MD, neonatologist at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. "We get to know them very well and make small incremental adjustments all the time so each one continues to gain weight and grow stronger. Besides the incredible expertise that our team brings to these babies, they also bring a heartfelt sense of caring for them like family."
Mother's Health Status: The mother is in good health, and was discharged from the hospital Thursday, Feb. 5.
Birth Summary: The eight babies — six boys and two girls — were delivered by scheduled Cesarean section on Jan. 26, at the Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. The mother had carried the babies nearly 31 weeks. Ultrasounds had confirmed only seven babies in utero, prior to the delivery. The eighth baby, while a surprise, was delivered without incident.
Medical Team Summary: The delivery team was led by Karen Maples, MD, chief, Obstetrics, Harold Henry, MD, director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Mandhir Gupta, MD, Neonatology, and Jalil Riazi, MD, chief, Anesthesiology. The team — numbering 52 in total — also included three obstetricians, two anesthesiologists, seven neonatologists, seven respiratory therapists, 11 Neonatal ICU RNs, 13 labor and delivery RNs and nine other medical health professionals.
Medical Care Summary: The Bellflower delivery and care teams continue to provide the high-quality health care needed by the newborns and their mother. The babies continue to be cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Kaiser Permanente did not provide the in vitro fertilization services for the mother of the octuplets, who was 12 weeks pregnant when she sought her maternity care with us. All patients facing multiple births are counseled about their options, including selective reduction. The patient always makes their own decision. Kaiser Permanente follows the guidelines of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in the fertility services we provide.
Updated Thursday, Feb. 5, 11 a.m. PST
Babies' Health Status: The baby condition report remains consistent. Each of the babies is breathing room air and receiving donated pasteurized breast milk through a feeding tube, in addition to their intravenous nutritional supplement. Tube-feeding means that there is a tube going into the nose and directly into the stomach. It will be several weeks before the first baby goes home. "The babies will be going home one at a time, as each reaches near normal newborn weight," said Mandhir Gupta, MD, neonatologist at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. "At this point in their development, they are not mature enough to coordinate the suckling and swallowing at the same time to be bottle fed, but they are all getting the love and care they need and are doing well."
Mother's Health Status: The mother is in good health, and was discharged from the hospital in the morning of Thursday, Feb. 5.
Birth Summary: The eight babies — six boys and two girls — were delivered by scheduled Cesarean section on Jan. 26, at the Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. The mother had carried the babies nearly 31 weeks. Ultrasounds had confirmed only seven babies in utero, prior to the delivery. The eighth baby, while a surprise, was delivered without incident.
Medical Team Summary: The delivery team was led by Karen Maples, MD, chief, Obstetrics, Harold Henry, MD, director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Mandhir Gupta, MD, Neonatology, and Jalil Riazi, MD, chief, Anesthesiology. The team — numbering 52 in total — also included three obstetricians, two anesthesiologists, seven neonatologists, seven respiratory therapists, 11 Neonatal ICU RNs, 13 labor and delivery RNs and nine other medical health professionals.
Medical Care Summary: The Bellflower delivery and care teams continue to provide the high-quality health care needed by the newborns and their mother. The babies continue to be cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Kaiser Permanente did not provide the in vitro fertilization services for the mother of the octuplets, who was 12 weeks pregnant when she sought her maternity care with us. All patients facing multiple births are counseled about their options, including selective reduction. The patient always makes their own decision. Kaiser Permanente follows the guidelines of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in the fertility services we provide.
Updated Tuesday, Feb. 3, 1 p.m. PST
BELLFLOWER, Calif. — The babies are all doing well today, continuing to breathe room air, and still receiving a nutritional supplement intravenously that is tailored to their individual needs. They all are being tube-fed donated pasteurized breast milk.
"The world might see them as octuplets but in our NICU, they are eight individual babies with their own personalities and needs," said Mandhir Gupta, MD, neonatologist, Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. "Our NICU family continues to provide them the care that will give them the best start possible."
This is the only condition update expected for Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Updated Tuesday, Feb. 3, 10 a.m. PST
Karen Maples, MD, the leader of a team of Kaiser Permanente doctors who delivered the octuplets, appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live" Monday evening to discuss the delivery and provide an update. Read the transcript on CNN.com.
Updated Monday, Feb. 2, 1 p.m. PST
BELLFLOWER, Calif. — It's Day Seven and all of the babies continue to be stable, breathing room air, and being tube-fed donated breast milk as well as receiving an intravenous nutritional supplement.
"This has been a very good week for the babies. It is always satisfying to be able to see a baby that was born premature continue to get stronger every day," said Mandhir Gupta, MD, neonatologist at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. "It’s what I have dedicated myself to doing — giving premature babies the best care possible — and I love it."
Updated Sunday, Feb. 1, 1 p.m. PST
BELLFLOWER, Calif. — Kaiser Permanente's Bellflower Medical Center baby condition update for today: One day closer to their first week, it's still good news for the octuplet babies. All eight babies continue to be stable. They are breathing unassisted, that is breathing room air. The octuplets continue to be tube-fed donated breast milk and also receive an intravenous nutritional combination supplement.
This is the only update for Sunday, Feb. 1.
Updated Saturday, Jan. 31, 1 p.m. PST
BELLFLOWER, Calif. — Kaiser Permanente's Bellflower Medical Center baby condition update for today: All eight of the babies continue to progress each day. All of the babies are now breathing unassisted, that is breathing room air. All are being tube-fed donated breast milk, and all babies continue to receive an intravenous nutritional combination.
This is the only update for Saturday, Jan. 31.
Updated Friday, Jan. 30, 1 p.m. PST
BELLFLOWER, Calif. — Kaiser Permanente's Bellflower Medical Center baby condition update for today — all is well with mom and the octuplets.
- Seven of the babies are now breathing unassisted, that is breathing room air.
- One is receiving assisted oxygen through a tube in the nose.
- Seven are being tube-fed donated breast milk.
All babies continue to receive an intravenous nutritional combination.
This is the only update expected for Friday, Jan. 30.
Updated Thursday, Jan. 29, 6:15 p.m. PST
BELLFLOWER, Calif. — The following is a statement from the mother of the octuplets that was read at a media briefing:
Statement from the Family
"We understand that you are all curious about the arrival of the octuplets and we appreciate your respect for our family's privacy. Please know, in our own time, we will share additional details about this miraculous experience.
The babies continue to grow strong every day and make good progress. My family and I are ecstatic about all of their arrivals. Needless to say, the eighth was a surprise to us all, but a blessing as well.
Thank you to the extra special nurses and hospital staff for their tireless support. Ever since I came to Kaiser Permanente after becoming pregnant, I've been grateful for the phenomenal medical team responsible for the extraordinary care that my babies and I received.
Finally, we thank all of you for the positive thoughts, prayers and generosity."
— The Family
En Español (PDF)
Updated Thursday, Jan. 29, 6 p.m. PST
BELLFLOWER, Calif. — Kaiser Permanente's Bellflower Medical Center announced today that mom and the octuplets continue to do well. Seven of the babies are now breathing unassisted, that is breathing room air. Baby G, a boy, is the only baby receiving assisted oxygen through a tube in their nose.
Of the eight babies, seven are now being tube-fed donated breast milk. Baby E, a boy, is the only baby not receiving feedings, but it's expected that he will start feeding tomorrow.
All babies continue to receive an intravenous nutritional combination.
Karen E Maples, MD, Chief of Service, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Harold M Henry, MD, Director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Mandhir Gupta, MD, Neonatologist, NICU, transport medical director
Updated Thursday, Jan. 29, 12:30 p.m. PST
BELLFLOWER, Calif. — Kaiser Permanente's Bellflower Medical Center announced today that mom and the octuplets continue to do well. Six of the babies are now breathing unassisted, that is breathing room air, one more than yesterday. Two continue to receive assisted oxygen through a tube in their nose.
Of the eight babies, five currently are being tube-fed donated breast milk. All babies continue to receive an intravenous nutritional combination. We expect the three others to begin tube-feeding donated breast milk soon.
Updated Wednesday, Jan. 28, 6 p.m. PST
BELLFLOWER, Calif. — Kaiser Permanente announced today that mom and the octuplets continue to do well.
Kaiser Permanente's Bellflower Medical Center also reports that five of the babies are now breathing room air, while three are getting oxygen through a tube in their nose. It is anticipated that soon all babies will be off assisted oxygen.
Of the eight babies, four currently are being tube-fed donated breast milk, one less than earlier reported. A baby had an intolerance to the breast milk, and feeding was held. All babies are receiving an intravenous nutritional combination. We expect the three others to begin tube-feeding donated breast milk soon.
The six boys and two girls, who were born on Monday, Jan. 26, weighing between 1 pound, 8 ounces and 3 pounds, 4 ounces, remain in their incubators.
Mom saw her babies last night, but has not yet held them. Mom will also start pumping milk to save up for her babies soon.
There will be no more additional updates today.
Updated Wednesday, Jan. 28, 12:30 p.m. PST
BELLFLOWER, Calif. — Kaiser Permanente announced today that mom and the octuplets are all doing fine, and there will be no further briefings until there are new developments.
Kaiser Permanente's Bellflower Medical Center reports that the octuplets are doing well. Of the eight babies, five are being fed donated breast milk. Three are still on oxygen.
All are in incubators so mom did see her babies last night, but has not yet held them.
Mom will also start pumping milk to save up for her babies.
Updated Tuesday, Jan. 27, 4:30 p.m. PST
BELLFLOWER, Calif. — The news continued to be good today for the mother and her eight newborn children. Doctors reported that the babies are all breathing on their own now—an improvement from yesterday, when two of the children were still on ventilators. They also have begun efforts to try feeding four of the babies, something that needs to be done very carefully with children of this size and age.
Karen Maples, MD, once again praised the team of more than 50 that participated in the historic delivery on Monday. Jalil Riazi, MD, described how the mother was able to be awake during the delivery and how surprised and happy she was when the last child was born. Mandhir Gupta, MD, explained that the children are all still in incubators and will likely be hospitalized for several weeks. Harold Henry, MD, described some photos (posted on businesswire.com) of parts of the delivery team that were released to reporters today. One of the photos showed seven nurses, each with a letter signifying the child they would be caring for.
Media from across the United States and Europe attended Tuesday morning's briefing.
Updated Monday, Jan. 26, 5 p.m. PST
Octuplets Born at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Bellflower, Calif.
Leading the live KABC-7 press conference at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, from left: Karen Maples, MD, chief of Obstetrics, Bellflower Medical Center; Mandhir Gupta, MD, medical director, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Bellflower Medical Center; and Harold Henry, MD, director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Bellflower Medical Center.
BELLFLOWER, Calif. — It started out as an historic day for the operating room team at the Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. After weeks of preparation, the time was set to deliver septuplets — only the third or fourth set of septuplets ever delivered in the United States.
The rehearsals all paid off as the babies were delivered flawlessly, just as they had practiced. But, after the seventh baby was delivered — there was a surprise. Dr. Alejandro Vasquez said, "Wait a minute, I think I feel a hand." And then, at 10:48 a.m., the eighth baby was delivered.
"What a shocker this was," said Mary Maples, MD, who helped lead the team of 46 with Dr. Henry during the historic delivery of octuplets. Preliminary research shows that this is only the second octuplet birth in the nation.
Both Dr. Maples and Dr. Henry had high praise for the team. "It went flawlessly," said Dr. Henry. The most recent "dry run" was only minutes before the delivery. And then it started — six boys and two girls. Each of them cried spontaneously after birth — always a good sign, according to the doctors.
10:43 a.m. Baby A, a boy, weighing 2 pounds, 11 ounces
10:44 a.m. Baby B, a girl, weighing 2 pounds, 12 ounces
10:45 a.m. Baby C, a boy, weighing 3 pounds 4 ounces — the largest of the children
10:45 a.m. Baby D, a girl, weighing 2 pounds 8 ounces
10:46 a.m. Baby E, a boy, weighing 1 pound, 8 ounces
10:47 a.m. Baby F, a boy, weighing 2 pounds, 12 ounces
10:47 a.m. Baby G, a boy, weighing 1 pound, 15 ounces
10:48 a.m. Baby H, a boy who had been hiding from the ultrasound; he weighed 2 pounds, 11 ounces
The delivery team used four operating rooms for the delivery and immediate care of the children. The hand-off from the delivery to the immediate care team went just the way the team had practiced.
The babies are reported to be doing well. However, the first 72 hours are the most critical.
