by Dawn Allcot

Created on: June 28, 2009

Eight newborns. The thought makes most sane people shudder.

Eight diapers to change, eight crying mouths to feed, eight squirming bundles to love and hold and... support financially. That's exactly what California-based Nadya Suleman, aka "Octomom," faced in early 2009 when she gave birth to octuplets conceived through in vitro fertilization.

Taking care of eight newborns would present a huge challenge for any woman. But Suleman is an unemployed, single mom with six other kids prior to her most recent multiple birth. Should she have been permitted to undergo embryo implantantion at all, much less the implantation of eight embryos?

In the aftermath of the media storm that followed Octomom's birth of octuplets, several states are now discussing legislation that will limit the amount of embryos fertility specialists can legally implant in a patient. However, should certain individuals be prohibited from undergoing embryonic implantation at all? I believe the answer is "Yes."

*Embryonic implants: Akin to adoption*

As any couple or individual who has gone through the process can tell you, adoption is not easy. Requirements are often stringent and adopting a baby is costly. Criteria vary between agencies. Some do permit single individuals, same-sex couples or unmarried partners to adopt. But in many cases, people looking to adopt must:

- Be married for a specific amount of time, usually a year or more

- Have no other infants in their home at the time of adoption

- Be able to take family care leave to take care of the infant, or have one parent home for this purpose.

In some instances, the birth mother handpicks the adoptive parents and may disqualify candidates based on religious beliefs, income level, health history and other reasons. A couple may even be disqualified from adopting through a specific agency because they smoke!

However, anyone who can afford the medical procedure is currently permitted to undergo embryonic implantation in order to give birth to their own child. Wouldn't it be responsible to place at least some standards on this process, as well?

*Suggested requirements for embryonic implantation*

In order to qualify for embryonic implantation, a prospective mother should:

- Be married, in a partnership, or financially self-sufficient as a single mother

- Have childcare lined up after her maternity leave is over (or plan to stay home)

- Show a minimum income level in order to provide adequate care to the infant

- Be healthy enough to undergo the procedure and pregnancy, even if it results in multiple births.

These suggested requirements aren't very stringent and, in fact, are considerations that any woman hoping to conceive should think about and discuss with her partner.

*Risk of multiples requires extra consideration*

In vitro fertilization represents an increased risk of multiple births, however, so candidates should think about how they would care for more than one baby. Embryonic implantation, like pregnancy, results in a huge responsibility and it should not be taken lightly. The potential for multiple births means that prospective mothers undergo in vitro should weigh their decision even more carefully than women conceiving naturally.

Learn more about this author, Dawn Allcot.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.