The McCaughey Septuplets (Natalie, Joel, Kenny, Nathan, Brandon, Kelsey and Alexis McCaughey) are the world's first surviving set of septuplets. They were born on November 19, 1997, nine weeks early, to Kenny and Bobbi McCaughey.
The septuplets were conceived as the result of fertility drugs. When the couple discovered that Bobbi was carrying seven fetuses, they declined selective reduction to reduce the number of fetuses, saying that they would "put it in God's hands." As the result of being born prematurely, the several of the septuplets have medical problems; for example, Alexis and Nathan have cerebral palsy.
The birth attracted significant media attention, both positive and negative. The McCaugheys were the recipients of many generous donations, including a 5,500-square-foot house, a van and a lifetime supply of diapers. However the birth touched off a firestorm about the ethics of infertility treatments, particularly those resulting in multiple births.
