Letter to the Editor, Raising Arizona Kids
Posted on March 28, 2008
I wrote a letter to the editor of Raising Arizona Kids magazine after reading an article about the love story of a couple who conceived and had 6 babies, i.e., sextuplets. It was my opinion that the printed article downplayed the risks of infertility treatments and premature birth. To my surprise they printed my letter in their April 2008 issue. Thank you Raising Arizona Kids for bringing attention to the risks of both infertility and premature birth!
My letter said: “I’m not sure how I feel about the story, It’s real love by Vicki Louk Balint, in your February 2008 issue. While it is great to see an article that addresses the issue of how a marriage can be stressed by multiples, the article downplays the risk of infertility treatments and multiple gestation pregnancies, let alone the issue of prematurity. At about the same time the Masche family welcomed their sextuplets into the world only 1 of the Morrison sextuplets, born in Minnesota during 2007, survived. I’ve met women who have lost one or both twins because they were born very premature. Or other women who have lost a single baby without any know cause of why their babies were born prematurely.
As a woman who utilized in vitro fertilization to become pregnant with my twins, I understand the desire to have a child and support any couple’s efforts to become pregnant. However, my twin pregnancy was full of complications starting at only 24 weeks gestation. My twin girls were born at 30 weeks weighing only 2 and ½ pounds each. One of my daughters had a preemie disease that almost took her life. Prematurity is a serious consequence of infertility treatments, especially when a multiple gestation pregnancy results.
Although I am happy for the Masche family and their healthy babies, my concern is that the article glorifies sextuples without addressing the real risks of their situation. As an active volunteer with the March of Dimes as well as the mother of premature twins, I’d like to see a story in RAK that address premature birth to educate your readers about the children’s health crisis that affects more than 500,000 babies each year.”
From RAK – Editors Note: We elected to run this letter because it makes a thoughtful and heartfelt argument. It is important to note, however, that the Masches did not go through in vitro fertilization. They used a very simple procedure with one cycle of injections and a turkey baster. (For more information, visit, maschemiracles.) “I elected not to go into the details of the Masche conception itself because I wanted to focus on the love story.” says writer/producer Vicki Louk Balint. “Bryan and Jenny actually did describe the conception during the interview. The audio interview on RAKRadio is very detailed in terms of how risky and difficult it was for Jenny to carry those babies.”
» Filed Under Premature Births
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One Response to “Letter to the Editor, Raising Arizona Kids”
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Hi there,
I have something to share… I am too been suffering this problem even though right now I am a father of 2 kids. I am very blessed indeed to have such beautiful kids. Therefore, I would like to share what I know about pregnancy for fellow readers of your blog.
I would like to share that we are not so lucky than some 5 years ago, trying to conceive. Until we understand that some symptoms of infertility in relation with pregnancy.
By understanding the symptoms, you can have a higher chance to conceive. I have wrote an article here:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Having-Trouble-Getting-Pregnant?-Understanding-These-3-Causes-May-Help-You&id=1086716
Feel free to give me your comments and feedback of this article. Thanks.
Regards,
Eddy