Fertility Doc Faces Scrutiny

Calif. Medical Board Investigating Doctor In Aftermath Of Birth Of Octuplets To Mother Of 6

(CBS)  The medical mystery surrounding 33-year-old Nadya Suleman's fertility treatments has been solved. Suleman says all her in vitro fertilizations, which resulted in the recent birth of octuplets, plus six other children, were done at the West Coast IVF Clinic in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Dr. Michael Kamrava is the clinic director, and, as CBS News correspondent Sandra Hughes reports, outside his office late Monday he didn't want to talk.

In a 2006 interview, Suleman credited the doctor for the birth of her other children -- she has six between the ages of 2 and 7 -- three are reportedly disabled.

"Without the doctor, I wouldn't have any children, so that's what's amazing about it," Suleman said.

But questions have been raised about her financial ability to care for all 14. Her publicist admits she's getting $490 a month in food stamps and federal assistance for the disabled children -- something she denied.

"And no, I am not receiving help from the government -- there's nothing wrong with that -- but I am not trying to expect anything from anybody," Suleman said. "I just wanted to do it on my own."

Speculation is running rampant on the Internet that she's also spent money on plastic surgery -- noting her resemblance to actress Angelina Jolie. Her publicist denies she's had plastic surgery -- botox included.

The California Medical Board says it is investigating the doctor who implanted Suleman, but didn't name Kamrava. The consequences could range from a reprimand to loss of medical license.

Dr. Jeffrey Steinberg, who has known Kamrava professionally for some 20 years, spoke with Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith about his colleague.

"Prior to this case he's been considered a respected part of the fertility community," Steinberg noted. "Humble, well qualified and really wouldn't raise an eyebrow among us."

"And knowing what we know now?" Smith asked.

"Well, concerned. We, again, don't want to jump to conclusions, but some of the details that are coming together distress us," Steinberg said.

"Do you have a responsibility in your world to ascertain the mental health of a patient who comes to you for treatment?" Smith asked.

Yes, we do. It's pretty much part of our standard protocol. People who come to us are oftentimes in a high-stress situation, they've been trying to get pregnant, we can offer assistance, but it takes a toll on people emotionally, and part of our job is to determine that toll," Steinberg said.

"Six children, no visible means of support. Are there not some ethical questions that have to be asked?" Smith noted.

"Clearly there are. These are part of the things we ascertain when working with a patient and how to help them," Steinberg said. "Stress itself is an infertility cause."

"So in a normal procedure, how many eggs would be implanted?" Smith asked.

"Normally, with her past history -- and again, I'm hearing bits and pieces -- it sounds like she's been successful in the past," Steinberg noted. "One or two is what we would normally go with."

"And in your wildest imagination, why would Dr. Kamrava have implanted that many eggs?" Smith asked.

"You know, we're all wrestling with the problem," Steinberg said. "Every decision about embryo transfer is agonizing for a physician and patient. We really can't figure out what was going on. We haven't heard the whole story. And we're going to need to know re. I wouldn't jump to a conclusion, but we are concerned."

"If you were Dr. Kamrava, would you be concerned about the status of your medical license?" Smith asked.

"I think there's reason for alarm," Steinberg said. "Again, I wouldn't jump to conclusions. I don't think any laws were broken. However, there is some reason to take a close look at what's going on."

[review3]

This idiot doctor should carry all the bills for his stupid action.

[meinnv]

Now that is a good idea right there.

[hatesthecolt]

Okay, here''''s an idea: the doctor who implanted the embroyos gets sued for malpractice by the state and the amount awarded goes into a trust fund to pay for basic support for the kids. But it''''s administered by a trustee; Mom doesn''''t get a nickel for her own use.

[meinnv]

According to her and disability docs, the disability payments helped to pay for her IVF treatments and were done against the advice of her doctors who said it made her back worse--even more interesting--she claimed to be disabled, but had no trouble going to school full time and pursuing pregnancies back to back? Let''s see--a degree entails, travel, study, writing papers, research? Sort of like most clerical work would--and if she can do that --HOW WAS SHE disabled? I hope Cali not only refuses to pay the Medical... I hope they take her kids and get that ***** for disability fraud.


Posted by harbinger09

I hope everyone refuses to pay. But for some 15 year old to praise this woman and say "she''s raising them all by herself and is an inspiration" is really too much to take. And if I couldn''t provide for the kids I already had, I sure as he11 wouldn''t have anymore. I mean being married and having them "happen" is one thing, PAYING to be impregnanted is another.

I for one am going to write my state leaders and tell them I want my tax dollars back or amnesty. We have to set limits, and now.

And, I did re-think my trip to California, looks like I won''t be going any time too soon. So sad for them, I was going to spend money there.

[makemyday2da]

meinnv and harbinger09 - you''re both so totally right in your analogies! When you have a 15-yr-old ADMIRING the criminal behavior of Nadya, then where the hell has this country gone?! Criminal behavior is thinking one can be a single mom and in some fantasy world believe she can take of of all 14 on her own. I''d like to know how many psychology ''assistants'' are supporting their families of 14?! Or even 4 on their salaries.

Nadya must not be aware on the consequences she''s facing: If she were to receive a large ''donation'', this would be considered income and by law would have to be used FIRST to pay back food stamps, hospital bills and possibly the SSI payments BEFORE she''d be allowed any of it. Therefore, unless she counting on receiving several MILLION, she''ll be no better off than she is now on public assistance. Of course, the rest of us suffer having to pay out our @$$es. I work a full-time plus part-time job EVERY week for the past 8 years to support my sons - including one who is a disabled veteran from the Iraq deployment. Guess how much this veteran is receiving? NADA! NIL! NOTHING! Meanwhile this worthless piece of *** octo-mom is cleaning up! I have NO RESPECT for her or the people ENABLING her stupidity!

[harbinger09]

he problems are here now let solved them instead of crying about it.

Posted by Tooted at 06:54 PM : Feb 12, 2009


You don''t solve a problem like this by simply aiding and abetting the person who did it--that is about as effective as thinking giving an addict heroin is the way to accommodate their drug addiction.

This is a teaching moment. Take the kids. Get her psychiatric help, reprimand the doctor--in one fell swoop, not only teach Nadya something about consequences--teach those who might want to emulate her and teach unscrupulous doctors--also.

[harbinger09]

bbillups77 - Theres no way you can believe one word you wrote or else Bergen Catholic is turning out giant morons! First off, at 15, you know NOTHING. Second of all she is NOT any kind of inspiration for you or anyone else. S
Posted by notime4you at 08:48 PM : Feb 12, 2009


Actually, if the little troll reads comments by Posted by Tooted at 06:42 PM : Feb 12, 2009
she will at least learn that no matter how conniving or egregious her behavior--once her kids are here, such people will suck it all up, roll up their sleeves and volunteer your and their money, because taking care of the babes to Nadya or billups or Nadya wanna bees satisfaction is the best way to teach other aspirants that if you deliver a problem, you don''t have to learn or suffer for it, the public will svck it all up for the greater good--which is a good way to end up with a fvcked up and eventually destitute public. LOL

Hard to tell her it is stupid, when people like toots aid and abet, excuse and justify/validate that route with their "aw let''s just help her, bs."

[harbinger09]

yeah I wouldn''''t have made those choices. But its
Time to worry about the children. They need so much.
If you give them nothing how will they live? Don''''t you care?

It would cost more to put them in foster care and sad to separate them. Posted by Tooted at 06:42 PM : Feb 12, 2009

1. Remove them from the home, and adopt them out

2. Put Nadya into an institution with intensive therapy

3 Force the Fertility doctor to pay the outstanding medical bills for the new preemies

4. take any talk show money and repay any outstanding student loans or restitution to SS or disability

That way:

A. Nadya''s mom gets a break
B. 14 couples get a child
C. Nadya receives psychiatric help*
D. The hospitals and labs get paid via the doctor
E. The taxpayers don''t have to pick up a thing

problem solved and we all can thank Nadya and her fabulous uterine incubator. PRICELESS.

*They should spay Nadya while she is in the hospital or she would most likely do it all again.

[harbinger09]

We the taxpayers are assisting her with disability payments, some of us working 2 jobs. So she isn''''t doing it by herself.

Posted by meinnv at 05:01 PM : Feb 12, 2009


According to her and disability docs, the disability payments helped to pay for her IVF treatments and were done against the advice of her doctors who said it made her back worse--even more interesting--she claimed to be disabled, but had no trouble going to school full time and pursuing pregnancies back to back? Let''s see--a degree entails, travel, study, writing papers, research? Sort of like most clerical work would--and if she can do that --HOW WAS SHE disabled? I hope Cali not only refuses to pay the Medical... I hope they take her kids and get that ***** for disability fraud.

[harbinger09]

Maybe the doctor, Kaiser and Nadya were all in on it to try to make history and she was game. After all, that would explain her telling her mom''s ex housekeeper that she was "being paid to get pregnant" it would also explain the touting and enthusiasm from Kaiser and why a doctor also agreed to use that tried and true--and "oh so ready and eager" womb that had endured so many successful implantations before.

The idea of making money, making history and being famous has to be a heady triad for an out of work, food stamp getting, Welfare mom, with no man, no prospects and whose own dad (who has the same name as her supposed donor) creeps out of the country---dig deeper, media--get a DNA sample of the dad and see if we can not make this the biggest, most horrendous piece of ******* scam yet. LMAO

[meinnv]

I am not crying about a thing either. I am urging the government and the people who can not afford it to be given a break. And I am urging people outraged by this to write, email or call their leaders in Washington to request a TAX AMNESTY.

My mother and I barely make ends meet. But we still have to pay taxes; and in turn that money goes to Nadya Suleman; in terms of Food Stamps & DISABILITY payments.

Her kids have not paid into disability. 3 of her first 6 are collecting payments. If I had more than one child with a disability, I would stop PURPOSELY IMPREGNATING myself. Repeatedly doing so shows you know how to exploit the system. You have a disability and can''t work; don''t keep impregnating yourself.

They were done IVF, which means she went to have this done. If it were 1-3 times, I wouldn''t care, but she''s been pregnant 5x which can aggravate a bad back. Because of her 1st pregnancy she had to go back on disability payments.

Now, my mother who is 57 might not get the Social Security she paid into. I am not saying take it from those who paid in; BUT in this woman''s case--she shouldn''t get any more money.

Let people donate to her of their own choice, but leave us poor people to take care of us & ours. Chariy starts at home (your own home).

[meinnv]

At least with that, I will get my tax money back now, lol.

And, I will get my mother''s too. She can go on disability as well. She''s old enough.

[meinnv]

I complain to the IRS each time, but that doesn''t do me any good.

I can''t afford my meds. I am not going to take care of her and hers and die because I can not afford my meds. Hello????????????????? Can''t breath it doesn''t matter.

But, thank you. You''ve given me an idea. I will get hurt at work, get disability have kids and not work anymore, who''s with me on this?

[notime4you]

bbillups77 - Theres no way you can believe one word you wrote or else Bergen Catholic is turning out giant morons! First off, at 15, you know NOTHING. Second of all she is NOT any kind of inspiration for you or anyone else. She is a drain on anyone and everything she comes in contact with including her own family. Her short-sighted thoughtless acts have ruined her family, Her dad has to go work in iraq for money, ever heard of it? Not a nice place to be right now. Her own mother is a basket case, her kids have deformities and mental problems and all of it is her fault and you ADMIRE her??????? Go back to school and slap every teacher you have for teaching you ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

[tooted]

BTW, I also saw on TV where it was said her parents pleaded with the doctor not to allow her to have more children and he told the parents he wouldn''t ... But he did anyways (if its true)

So he was informed she had no job and not taking care of what she had.

Now if I go to the dr and ask for some morophine or something bad. For no reason other then I want it.

Shouldn''t he say Hell nooooooo ???

These people making death threats are sick people and need to get a life.
Think about the children

Kill her then the parents or whoever get all the children will need help too

Doesn''t solve anything

All the cold uncaring comments just iritates me.

The problems are here now let solved them instead of crying about it.

[tooted]

I feel this woman does have issues and didn''t think thru her decisions, but come on its done already.

yeah I wouldn''t have made those choices. But its
Time to worry about the children. They need so much.
If you give them nothing how will they live? Don''t you care?

It would cost more to put them in foster care and sad to separate them.

If you really want to fuss about your taxes, ask the goverment about the Trillan dollars they can''t account for. Fuss about wallstreet and the bailout plans. Fuss about the money sent to other countries

But to compain about helping our own people is just wrong. (meaning the children)

These people complaining are the same people who don''t want seniors to have SS. or the disabled to collect a small check each month.

Its not enough to live on

Most of these people have worked and paid taxes their whole lives. agree some haven''t but these are Americans were talking about.

Helping these children isn''t using as much money as our government drops in the toilet every day.

Complain about that.

[meinnv]

Meant "while SHE is recuperating and hitting talk show circuits. "

[meinnv]

Actually she is not "raising" 14 kids by herself. The octuplets are still in the hospital, will be for several weeks.

She is NOT WORKING, she is receiving disability (taxpayer money) for 3 of her first 6 kids, who according to another article 2 are autistic and 1 has ADHD. Not to mention what the octuplets face down the road.

She has relied on her parents to take care of the other 6 while is is recuperating and hitting talk show circuits.

This is no inspiration. This woman didn''t just get pregnant by accident, she PLANNED these pregnancies. 1-3 I can understand but not 14 kids and 5 pregnancies.

And no, you can not raise 1 kid by yourself without sacrificing let alone 14.

We the taxpayers are assisting her with disability payments, some of us working 2 jobs. So she isn''t doing it by herself.

[bbillups77]

My name is Bethany Billups and I''m 15 years old. I''m currently a tenth student at Bergen Catholic. I''m writing to you to say how Nadya Suleman is an inspiration to all young women around the world! She is raising a family of 14 now all by herself and following her dream to have a big family. I wish to have a big family like that one day soon as well, and she has inspired me to start trying! If she can raise 14 by herself with no one to help, than I don''t see why anyone else can''t do it either!

Sincerely,

Bethany Billups

[meinnv]

By the way, I only go to movies when I get free tickets; the only DVDs I buy are when I get a gift certificate for holidays or birthdays. I do not spend my money for actors, I don''t have it to spend.

I dont see sporting events like ball games. I get a yearly bonus and go to 1 NASCAR race per year, and I get cheap tickets ($100/weekend).

Most of my money gets sent to the IRS and pays for what bills I am behind in. I deserve to treat myself to something nice, albeit only once per year. That $100 wouldn''t cover 1 asthma med, let alone the 3 I should be taking, and I don''t have insurance.

BUT, I do not go out and get myself pregnant as many times as she did.

As a single woman the most kids I would have would be 2. If they had a disability I would not ask for money to take care of them, I would work. If I couldn''t work to take care of them (or didn''t have enough savings to provide for them), I wouldn''t have them.

One child, I would understand; two sure. Three maybe. But she had six; half of them collecting disability and she goes out and has more. I have no tolerance for that. She was living in a 3 bedroom house with her parents. Good grief. The conditions were bad as it was, why make it worse?

I am sorry, I can not feel sorry for her. She brought this on herself. It''s not RUDENESS it''s called RESPONSIBILITY & PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY.