Septuplets given '95 percent' chance

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The chief of neonatology at Georgetown University Hospital told CNN Monday that septuplets born last week in Washington have a "95 percent chance of surviving."

"They seem to be making good progress as of today," said Dr. Siva Subramanian.

Subramanian said six of the babies are now off a breathing machine. He said the babies are under what is called a therapy for mild jaundice.

"For babies who are 28 weeks who have made it this far, it is really very good," he said. "But, there are still a lot of problems that can happen from now until the date of discharge. So, we need to monitor these babies very closely and carefully."

The mother, who has requested anonymity, is in good condition. The babies -- five boys and two girls -- were born Thursday night by Caesarian section by a team of 25 medical professionals. They all weighed between 2 and 2.5 pounds.

The mother was seven months pregnant when she gave birth. She was admitted to the hospital in mid-June after her physician, Dr. Mutahar Fauzia, referred her to Georgetown University Hospital.

Fauzia said the woman underwent ovulation induction to increase the number of eggs she was producing. The treatment consists of oral medicine or injections. The woman's doctors would not disclose which type of treatment she underwent.

The woman was informed at seven weeks gestation that she was carrying seven embryos. The parents decided, at that time, to continue with the pregnancy.

When asked if the mother had considered aborting some of the babies to give the others a better survival chance, Fauzia said the woman is a Muslim and "did not believe in the taking [of the] lives of the babies."

The babies are expected to stay in the hospital for seven to nine weeks.

Because their father, Fahad Qahtani, is a student, the family's medical bills will be paid by the Saudi government. In gratitude, Qahtani and his wife named six of the seven children after members of the Saudi royal family: The boys were named Adbullah, Sultan, Naif and Abdulaziz; the girls were named Hayfa and Shaima.

The Saudi ambassador to the United States, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, called the family on Monday.