Quints born to US surrogate mother
A US woman who agreed to act as a surrogate mother to a childless couple has given birth to five boys - and waived her fee.
Teresa Anderson, 25, delivered the rare quintuplets by Caesarean section within five minutes at the hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.
She declined her $15,000 (£7,800) fee because of the costs facing new parents Luisa Gonzalez and Enrique Moreno.
Doctors said the quintuplets could be a record for a surrogate mother.
"There are no statistics kept on the number of quintuplet births to surrogate mothers," said Dr John Elliott, who delivered the babies at the Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center.
"Suffice to say, it's incredibly rare."
'Happy.. and relieved'
The boys have been named Enrique, Jorge, Gabriel, Victor and Javier by their genetic parents.
Doctors said Javier had been born with a defective heart and would have to undergo surgery in a few weeks.
Mrs Anderson, 25, was implanted with five embryos, to increase the chances of one taking hold.
After learning that all five were developing, she declined to take the payment because of the financial burden now facing the new parents.
Dr Elliott said she was able to walk into the delivery room on her own for the birth, which came at 33 weeks - a week earlier than planned, and well below the full-term pregnancy of 40 weeks.
"She's happy. She's smiling now, She's relieved," said Mrs Anderson's husband, Jerad, after the birth.
The new parents also expressed their delight.
"We were always looking for just one," said Mr Moreno, who came from Mexico 16 years ago. "If it's five, it's for a reason".
He admitted it would be financially tough raising five boys in their three-bedroom house in Gilbert, Arizona. "We'll do the best we can. I know God will help us," he said.
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At the outset, I love this story, and the incredibly selfless act of the surrogate mom. This woman, agreed to be a surrogate for the money, carry five babies could not have been an easy task, probably worth a lot more than 15K. Then to decide to waive the fee because she realized the family would need the money more... Pretty cool of her...