McCaughey septuplets

The McCaughey septuplets (in birth order--Kenneth Robert, Alexis May, Natalie Sue, Kelsey Ann, Nathan Roy, Brandon James, Joel Steven) are the world's first surviving set of septuplets.

They were born in Des Moines, Iowa on November 19, 1997, nine weeks prematurely, to Kenny and Bobbi McCaughey (pronounced "McCoy"), residents of the nearby town of Carlisle. The septuplets have one older sister, Mikayla Marie (born January 3, 1996 ).

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, two of the septuplets have medical problems: Alexis and Nathan have cerebral palsy although Nathan received spinal surgery in November, 2005 in order to help his walking abilities.

The birth attracted significant media attention, both positive and negative, including a feature in Time magazine in December 1997. The surviving Dionne quintuplets had written a letter warning the parents to keep the septuplets out of the public eye and not allow them to fall into the same pitfalls as their parents did, but wished them the best of luck in raising them and their personal congratulations. The McCaugheys were the recipients of many generous donations, including a 5500ft² (511 m²) house, a van and diapers for the first two years, as well as nanny services, and even the State of Iowa offering full college scholarships to the babies upon their maturity and graduation from high school to any state university in Iowa. U.S. President Bill Clinton personally telephoned Mr. & Mrs. McCaughey to wish them his congratulations.

At birth, the septuplets weighed:
 * Kenny: 3 lb. 4oz. (1.47 kg)
 * Alexis: 2 lb. 11oz. (1.22 kg)
 * Natalie: 2 lb. 10oz. (1.19 kg)
 * Kelsey: 2 lb. 5oz. (1.05 kg)
 * Nathan: 3 lb. 3oz. (1.45 kg)
 * Brandon: 2 lb. 14oz. (1.30 kg)
 * Joel: 2 lb. 15oz. (1.33 kg)

Bobbie McCaughey homeschooled Mikayla for several years but all are now attending local public schools. They all studied violin during the academic year 2004-2005; several of the septuplets and Mikayla have continued for a second year. The septuplets have been given free footwear from Kmart through the age of 10.

In 2006, the septuplets, along with Mikayla, made their debut in People's Remember the 90's! edition.