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CNN Live At Daybreak

In Washington, D.C., Woman Gives Birth to Septuplets

Aired July 13, 2001 - 08:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: In Washington, D.C., a woman gave birth to septuplets in just three minutes late last night, at Georgetown University Hospital -- the septuplet story from CNN's medical correspondent Rea Blakey -- Rea?

REA BLAKEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, five boys, two girls, born at 11:25 last evening, in the NICU Unit, that's the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, at Georgetown University Hospital. The mom, we are told, is in good condition, though she wants to remain anonymous this morning.

The lead obstetrician in that case, Dr. Helain Landy, had 24 people assisting her.

Again, caesarean section within three minutes.

Each of the babies is assigned this morning a medical SWAT team that includes a neonatologist, respiratory therapist, nurse, and many others, and that's for each child. We have no information at this point on how each of the babies is doing.

We do know that this is not the first time that septuplets have been delivered in the United States. You will recall back in 1997 the McCaughey family were the first, in fact, to deliver septuplets. Those babies were born at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. That's in Des Moines, Iowa. They will be coming up on their fourth birthday.

In Houston, also, there was a family that delivered eight babies, actually; one did not survive.

We should tell you at this point that Georgetown University Hospital is ranked number 22 in the nation regarding its ability to deliver fertility and gynecological services, even though we're not really certain at this point as to the status of the pregnancy coming into being. We don't really know specifically what occurred prior to the point of the deliveries.

But we do know five baby boys and two baby girls at Georgetown University Hospital this morning, and a mom who, we are told, is in good condition -- Carol.

LIN: But I bet pretty tired.

BLAKEY: I am sure she is. LIN: Thanks, Rea. We'll see you later.

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