(Ecns.cn) – A gaggle of eight newborns has nearly brought their flustered parents to the brink of ruin in the southern capital of Guangzhou.
Last year, a millionaire couple who had been diagnosed as permanently sterile and infertile spent much of their fortune on In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). They got more than they bargained for.
Much to their surprise, their eight test-tube baby attempts were all successful. The mother had to be joined by two surrogate mothers to carry the embryos in a two-three-three formation.
After the octuplets were born, the parents have had a hard time taking care of them, even though they've hired 11 nannies and a full-time driver to help out.
According to Guangzhou Daily, the mother was once a businesswoman who fought for her career. After getting married, she could not get pregnant by natural means so she was advised to do charity work, since many Chinese believe that those who do good will reap rewards.
The octomom said giving birth to eight babies was never her intention, however. Medical statistics show that the success rate of test-tube babies is only about 30 percent, so the couple decided to create eight embryos at once only to increase their chances.
Though they are a wealthy couple, the cost of raising eight babies is still high. The mother revealed that they have spent nearly 1 million yuan ($157,653) on IVF labs, and a monthly 100,000 yuan ($15,765) on daily expenses and salaries for the nannies and the driver.
Experts warn that surrogacy is forbidden in China, so it is very dangerous to follow the example of the couple.
