'Screaming, kicking' octuplets born
A woman has given birth to eight babies in southern California, the world's second live-born set of octuplets.
The mother gave birth to six boys and two girls weighing between 1.8 pounds and 3.4 pounds, doctors at Kaiser Permanante hospital said.
"It's a surprise," doctor Karen Maples said. "Eight newborns are in stable condition and they're doing quite well."
Kaiser spokeswoman Myra Suarez said she could not release any information about the mother, including her condition or whether she used fertility drugs. Such drugs make multiple births more likely.
"They are all doing the best they can," she said.
Doctors estimated the delivery of the babies lasted five minutes.
"They were all screaming and kicking around very vigorously," doctor Harold Henry said.
The first live-born octuplets were born in Houston in 1998, and one baby died about a week later. The surviving siblings -- girls Ebuka, Gorom, Chidi, Chima and Echerem, and their brothers Ikem and Jioke -- celebrated their 10th birthday in December.
Their Nigerian-born parents, Nkem Chukwu and Iyke Louis Udobi, said they are astonished and grateful that their children have grown up to be healthy and active children.
Chukwu said the new parents have much to look forward to.
