News

27th April 2004

Surrogate mother gives birth to quins

An American woman who agreed to act as a surrogate to help a childless couple has given birth to quins.

Teresa Anderson, 25, gave birth to the quins by Caesarean section at hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.

And she has waived her fee, $15,000 (£7,800), because of the costs facing new parents Luisa Gonzalez and Enrique Moreno.

Doctors believe the quintuplets, five boys, could be a surrogate record.

"There are no statistics kept on the number of quintuplet births to surrogate mothers," said Dr John Elliott, who delivered the babies at the Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center.

"Suffice to say, it's incredibly rare."

The boys have been named Enrique, Jorge, Gabriel, Victor and Javier by their genetic parents.

It is believed that Javier has a heart defect which will need operating on in a few weeks but otherwise all five, who were born at 33 weeks, are doing well.

Mrs Anderson was implanted with five embryos, to increase the chances of one taking hold.

After learning that all five were developing, she declined to take the payment because of the financial burden now facing the new parents.

After the birth her husband, Jared, said "She's happy. She's smiling now, she's relieved."

The new parents, who moved to the US from Mexico 16 years ago, are thrilled at the birth of their five sons but Mr Moreno admitted it would be tough raising them in their three-bedroom house in Gilbert, Arizona.

"We were always looking for just one," he said.

"If it's five, it's for a reason".

"We'll do the best we can. I know God will help us," he said.

Where to next?