It was a miracle that no one thought possible. Bobbi McCaughey was carrying seven babies in her womb, a feat that had never been done before. The odds of a successful multiple pregnancy were slim, and the risks were enormous. But Bobbi and her husband Kenny refused to give up on their precious septuplets, who were conceived with the help of fertility treatments. They already had a daughter, Mikayla, and wanted to give her some siblings. But they never expected to have seven more at once.
Kenny still remembers the shock he felt when he called his wife after her ultrasound. He was anxious to know how many babies they were having. Bobbi could barely speak, and when she finally said “7,” he almost dropped the phone. How were they going to take care of so many children? How would they afford it? How would they cope?
The doctors weren’t hopeful. They explained to Bobbi that even with triplets, the odds of having a healthy baby without any issues were only 50%. They also mentioned that almost half of all pregnancies with multiples ended in miscarriage. They suggested selective reduction, but Bobbi turned it down. She had faith that God had a plan for her and her babies.
Bobbi was closely watched by a team of specialists in high-risk pregnancies. They were amazed by how well she handled the pregnancy, despite having a 15-pound belly. She ate well, rested a lot, and prayed every day.
The septuplets were born nine weeks early in an Iowa hospital. It took 40 experts, including perinatologists, neonatologists, respiratory therapists, nurses, and anesthetists, to deliver them safely. They were named Kenneth, Alexis, Natalie, Kelsey, Nathan, Brandon, and Joel.
They all survived, but they had to stay in the hospital for two months. Bobbi was overjoyed to finally bring them home, but she also faced a daunting challenge. She had to feed them 42 bottles and change them 52 diapers every day, and she was grateful for the help of her relatives and friends.
But not everyone was supportive. Some people criticized the family for being irresponsible and greedy. They accused them of wasting resources and living lavishly. They even showed up at their door, wanting to see the septuplets. But the McCaughey family ignored the haters and focused on living a normal life. They endured the constant attention and scrutiny of the media, who followed their every move.
Two of the septuplets, Alexis and Nathan, were born with cerebral palsy. They had to undergo several surgeries to improve their mobility. Alexis even competed in a beauty pageant for children with special needs, showing her confidence and courage.
When the children grew up, they had the help of volunteers and babysitters. Bobbi also went back to work part-time, while Kenny kept his job in a metal construction painting factory.
As the septuplets got older, they pitched in around the house to help their mom. “The girls love cooking, and their dishes are usually pretty good!” Bobbi shared. “Their dad teaches the boys the value of hard work, whether it’s doing yard work or washing the car. There’s always something to do.”
By the time the kids turned 10, the family went through a lot of groceries each week—about four loaves of bread, 11 liters of milk, and six packs of cereal. Bobbi had to learn to plan ahead and shop smart to make ends meet. Their daily routine was busy, with two ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, washers, dryers, and even a vegetable garden.
Despite their unique upbringing, the kids grew up with a strong work ethic. They did well in school and played sports. Some went to Hannibal-Lagrange University, while others pursued different paths, like higher education or military service.
Their interests varied, from public relations to preschool education to computer science. Kenneth even learned construction skills.
Eventually, Bobbi’s husband decided to leave, feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of caring for seven children. This left Bobbi to raise the kids on her own.
Looking back on her journey, Bobbi admitted that it was tough to see her kids grow up and become more independent after relying on her for so long.