Texas octuplets get baby sis

Monday, September 30, 2002 Posted: 4:04 PM EDT (2004 GMT)

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LEAGUE CITY, Texas (AP) -- The seven surviving Texas octuplets now have a little sister.

Nkem Chukwu, the only woman known to have delivered eight living babies from one pregnancy, gave birth to Ifeoma Chukwu on August 22.

In 1998, Chukwu spent more than two months suspended practically upside down to ease the pressure caused by her crowded womb. One of her babies was delivered December 8 of that year, while the seven others arrived 12 days later.

The smallest died after one week, but the others -- five girls and two boys -- have grown up without complications.

Like her siblings, Ifeoma was born at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston. Her birthweight of 6 pounds, 15 ounces, was a far cry from that of her siblings, whose weights ranged from 11 ounces to 1 pound, 11 ounces.

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