World's First Surviving Septuplets, They Have Turned 18 Now

In the fall of 1997 a quiet Iowa seamstress made history.

Bobbi McCaughey, a 29-year-old woman from the small town of Carlisle, underwent a Caesarean section performed by more than 40 specialists, and gave birth to seven surviving babies. This was the first time in the country that so many infants had been born alive to a single mother.

                                     The story made headlines across the world.

In under ten minutes the four boys and three girls were born-- the smallest 2.5 pounds, the largest 3.4 pounds. Arriving two months premature, even doctors were surprised at the success of the delivery.

Doctors say that the more fetuses a woman carries, the greater health risk it is to each one. Risks include being born premature, cerebral palsy, brain damage, blindness, mental retardation or other developmental problems with speech and motor skills.

Ethicists argued that the McCaughey septuplets raised several of medicine's hardest questions

While the septuplets raised ethical concerns for some, they also garnered nation wide support.  At birth, Proctor & Gamble donated a lifetime supply of diapers. As kindergartners they got to meet with President Bush, and as High School Seniors they've been offered free college education from several universities.

While they've tried to stay out of the spotlight for the most part, they make occasional media appearances to let the world know that they're doing fine.

The teens celebrate a momentous occasion as they graduate from high school.