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Alternate Website LinkKay L. Schlagel:
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| 04/10/09 03:58 PM |
What Were They Thinking??? Nadya Sulman and her octuplets. For the life of me I just can’t wrap my mind around the situation of Nadya Sulman and her octuplets. I have a lot more questions than answers. To begin with how could a woman who already six kids (three with disabilities) under the age of eight could even find a doctor to implant six embryos ? Two of the embryos split into two fetuses each so she ended up with eight premature infants. Furthermore how did she even pay for such an extremely expensive procedure when she is not only unemployed and receiving government help for the children she already had. Not to mention she lives with her parent’s three bedroom house!! So basically we have an unemployed, more or less homeless, with no visible means to support the eight infants who will all be facing huge medical bills because of their prematurity and size. Even though a woman’s body is hers to do with what she wants. Placing government control over IVF (in vitro fertilization) could be a total disaster. But there has to be some regulation. Just as with any other patient it’s the doctor’s responsibility to make sure that not only does she have the physical ability of carrying multiple births if that should occur, but also has the mental and financial means to care for them. For the most part any pregnancy conceived through IVF is considered higher risk than a naturally conceived fetus. Most doctors will implant two or three fertilized embryos in the hope that at least one will implant and proceed to be a normal pregnancy. I was shocked to know that six embryos were successfully transplanted (two of the eggs resulted in twins) and instead of “selective reduction of pregnancy”, she was allowed to carry all eight. Needless to say it created a pregnancy that was extremely high risk for both mother and babies. I really can’t conceive what this doctor was thinking when he implanted so many eggs, except for the attention that such a unusual situation that could occur. It hasn’t been lost on me the notoriety and help that can surround a multiple pregnancy of four or more. The fact that it is possible for a grandmother to carry her own grandchild kind of creeps me out personally. However, I also know just how desperate couples with infertility problems can become and IVF can be like an absolute miracle for them to try and get pregnant before they will consider adoption (a procedure fraught with all kinds of pitfalls itself). I don’t consider myself a strong supporter of neither pro-choice nor right to life (I have issues with both but I digress). I have very strong issues with the government choosing medical care that the doctor and potential patients who know what circumstances exist are in a much better position to make these decisions. It is my opinion that a woman who is having IVF should at least have counseling to find out if more than three fetuses result in the pregnancy that it is a given and for that matter literally has to sign a contract that states she will use the selective reduction to give the remaining fetuses a much better chance of a normal pregnancy and delivering. I can already hear quite a few dissenters’ stating “how could you pick which ones survive and which ones don’t.” I agree that it would be horrendously hard but it is the responsibility of the physician and parents to make sure that their baby or babies have the best chance at thriving outside of the womb. With multiples it is very hard (in many cases impossible) to carry the infants to term resulting in not only premature births with low birth rates but also a much higher incidents of congenital defects which can affect the children their whole life. Which brings me back to the argument of only implanting three eggs with each procedure. It is extremely expensive not to mention complicated for an IVF pregnancy and the woman who use it are normally a bit older, a same sex couple or even a single woman ready to start her family without a spouse.. For most physicians the rule of thumb is that the couple must have tried at least one year to get pregnant without results. The cost of IVF are rarely if ever covered by health insurance. I don’t want to come off as being against IVF. I think it is wonderful for a woman who no longer is able to conceive a child “naturally”. I use the word naturally but IVF certainly isn’t the only alternative to conceive a pregnancy or have children with or without two spouses. There has been some discussion on whether the mother should even be allowed to take the infants home without having the financial, emotional, and help that will be needed to care for the eight newborns. Frankly I think there should be a close look at the care and emotional needs of the six children she already has. Remember the six children she already has are all under the age of eight. That in itself (the care of the children she already has) would tax any families resources and ability to give each child the bonding, individual time with the parent or an adult, and the financial burden they will continue to need, now and in the future. I realize that up to this point I’ve mainly concentrated on the mother and the IVF. However, I just can’t help but wonder what in the world was that doctor thinking? Surely at the least he should be censored and the incident thoroughly by AMA, hospital board, and his peers to bring about some answers as to why this was allowed to happen. Don’t get me wrong there are already people who are actively working to keep Nadya from keeping the infants due to her mental state and lack of resources to care for the infants once they leave the hospital.
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| 04/10/09 03:56 PM |
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| 02/20/09 12:08 AM |
My limited edition prints start at $25.00 USD for 8x10" to give you an idea of my pricing ranges. That doesn't include shipping and handling. My oil and acrylic canvases are individually priced but can be ordered as a print.
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| 11/04/07 11:33 PM |
2 years ago I was diagnosed with diabetes and narcolepsy. I had already been put on disability in 1990 because of severe chronic pain and complications from the severe physical abuse I suffered from as a small child. Last February I began to have lung problems that they have decided is some type of auto-immune response that got me down to the point of needing oxygen and someone with me to help take care of me 24/7 (is that embarrassing or what?). They know that whatever is attacking my organs isn’t viral, fungal, bacterial, cancer, or aids. (I really have the doctors scratching their heads…poor guys). Well…..whatever pesky germy that has been tearing my lungs and immune system to shreds has now decided to work on my red blood cells (not to mention the havoc it is causing with my electrolytes and blood sugar). Now I realize that all sounds pretty gruesome but I have no intention of dying any time soon but whether I like it or not I have to modify my lifestyle until I can kick this thing’s butt. I love and miss you all and hopefully it won’t be too long before I can check in a lot more regularly because I really do miss the fun and friends I have made here. If you want to contact me by e-mail, I try and check about once a week. If I don’t get back to you right away it may just be because I’m having a bad week or something. As soon as I get my strength back I plan on selling limited edition prints of my work through our online store so you might want to check out our store on www.jdkimports.com. If you would like to have a print of one my digital or other artwork before I can get my gallery up you can find my work on www.artwanted.com/mdmkay. The average size will be 11x14 on premium glossy photo paper that sell for $45.00 plus S&H. I can also offer a lot of other sizes and backings (even canvas). If you have any questions there is contact information on both sites. Love, Kay (mdmkay)
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