Octuplets

Octuplets are eight offspring produced in a single pregnancy. The term combines octo-, meaning eight, with -uplets, used in terms for multiple offspring. Octuplets are extremely rare and most reported cases have involved assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization, where multiple embryos are transferred to increase pregnancy chances. Spontaneous octuple pregnancies are exceedingly uncommon.

Because of the high multiple burden, octuplets are typically born prematurely. Infants often require admission to a neonatal intensive care unit and may face complications related to prematurity, such as respiratory distress, feeding problems, infections, and longer-term developmental challenges. Outcomes vary widely and depend on gestational age, birth weight, and access to medical care. The health of the mother can also be involved, with higher risks of pregnancy-related complications.

Notable cases include the 2009 birth in the United States of eight babies to Nadya Suleman, known in the media as Octomom; all eight survived the newborn period, though later health and social issues drew extensive public attention. Because of such cases, many fertility clinics have adopted guidelines to reduce the risk of high-order multiple births, including single-embryo transfer policies and stricter monitoring.

Ethical and policy discussions around octuplets center on the safety of high-order multiples, resource use, and the responsibilities of fertility practitioners, patients, and regulators. Octuplets remain exceptionally rare and continue to be a focal point in conversations about reproductive technology and medical risk.