Bobbi and Kenny McCaughey lived a simple life in Des Moines, Iowa. They dreamed of adding children to their little family one day. Sadly, Bobbi had health issues from the time that she was born. She had a malfunctioning pituitary gland that caused her hormones to be extremely weak. Fortunately, she finally got pregnant after a lot of planning. Like any hopeful parent, this was supposed to be everything they had ever wanted.
Bobbi became pregnant with her first child Mikayla Marie, who was born on January 3, 1996. Finally, after years of hoping for a child, they finally had someone to take care of at home. Bobbi still wanted more children to add to their family. So, she decided to have treatments done to help have more kids. One day, after a hospital visit, they received some incredible news that would change their lives in a huge way.
Bobbi had received a medication that raised her hormones to their natural levels, called Metrodin. Months after she received the injection, Bobbi became pregnant, but with multiple children. Bobbi and her husband assumed that this was going to happen, but they panicked a little when they found out how many embryos the doctors found. Bobbi was pregnant with seven children! One option could’ve changed the outcome of Bobbi’s pregnancy.
The information was a bit hard for Bobbi to swallow, so she was offered an alternative. She was told about the option of selective reduction. Doctors would perform the procedure that would reduce the number of fetuses she carried, which meant taking away several lives. Bobbi chose to not do the procedure, and wanted nature to do its thing. She thought that if all seven fetuses could make it, she didn’t want to take that away. The journey she would embark would be a tough one.
Bobbi gave birth to seven children on November 19, 1997, thanks to the help of doctors, Karen Drake and Paula Mahone. Due to the fact that the babies were born seven weeks prematurely, some were born with health problems. Two of them were born with cerebral palsy, which affects their physical health in a drastic way. The McCaughey septuplets became the first set of septuplets to survive childbirth. Everyone seemed to be talking about them, but some people were not happy.
The birth of the septuplets caused a complete media frenzy, including appearances in “Time Magazine” and on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Some people believed they were a miracle. Some people thought the McCaugheys were just exploiting their children. Bill Clinton was president at the time, and he called them up to congratulate the new parents. They received lots of donations, among them, a house, and even scholarships for all of the kids. Soon enough, the attention got old.
When the children turned ten, the family stopped conducting interviews, except for a “Dateline NBC” episode once a year. The Dionne quintuplets informed the parents of the downfall of letting their lives be publicized in the papers. So, many years have gone by since anyone has seen the seven kids in the news. Their appearance will shock everyone! The child that was born first wants to make a living working with his hands.
Kenneth Jr. was born at three pounds and four ounces. He decided he wanted to pursue a degree in construction at Des Moines Area Community College. He said he’s not upset about moving away from his other siblings. “I honestly think it will be good for all of us to be on our separate ways. I am not worried about not seeing everyone that much,” he told NBC News. He won’t be on his journey by himself.
Alexis May, was two pounds and eleven ounces, and was the first girl to be born out of the septuplets. She was one of the children born with cerebral palsy. She’s had to learn to get around with the use of a walker. She’s decided to go to Des Moines Area Community College, just like her brother. Alexis wants to major in early childhood education. She looks forward to becoming a preschool teacher.
The last of the three girls born was Kelsey Ann. She weighed two pounds and five ounces when she was born. While attending Carlisle High School, she was in an all-girl choir. She’s decided to head to Hannibal-LaGrange University, which offered scholarships to the kids when they were born. She wants to pursue a career in music, and can see herself as the next big star! The next child shines pretty bright, as well!
The second of the three girls born was Natalie Sue. When she was born she weighed two pounds and eleven ounces. When she graduated, she was in the top fifteen percent of her class. Like her sister Kelsey Ann, she’s chosen to accept the free scholarship to Hannibal-LaGrange University. Natalie Sue wants to one day become a preschool teacher and is majoring in elementary education.
Nathan Roy was the fifth baby born, and he weighed three pounds and three ounces. Nathan Roy was the other child who was born with cerebral palsy. Unfortunately, in 2005, he had to have surgery on his spine to help him walk. He’s decided to also go to Hannibal-LaGrange University, and will be majoring in computer science. “I’ve just always liked to do computer stuff,” he told KCCI 8. His brother doesn’t exactly have school on his mind.
Brandon James was the second to last child born, and weighed two pounds and fourteen ounces. Unlike his siblings, Brandon James didn’t decide to pursue the college route after graduation. He decided that his life was geared toward enlisting in the United States Army. “My job is the infantry, so I’ll probably be gone most of the time because I’m going active duty for that,” he told KCCI 8. The youngest brother also has a passion to work with electronics.
Joel Steven is the baby out the group, and was born at two pounds and fifteen ounces. He’s also decided to head to Hannibal-LaGrange University. Like his brother Nathan Roy, he’ll be majoring in computer science. “I’ve always thought that computers were really weird, but in a good way. I liked how they worked,” he told KCCI 8. Now that the kids are heading out on their own, what do the parents have to say?
Their parents are a bit sad to see them leave the nest, but they’re also happy to have them go. Watching their kids head out on their own journeys has been their ultimate goal as parents. When asked for advice, Kenny jokingly told KCCI 8, “Just have them one at a time. That’s the best way — just kidding.” One thing we do know about their futures is that they all have an amazing story to tell!