Home News Miracle of the Nineties: The Extraordinary Journey of the McCohugh Septuplets

Miracle of the Nineties: The Extraordinary Journey of the McCohugh Septuplets

A woman had the miraculous experience of giving birth to septuplets in the 1990s. Let’s see how these siblings are faring now.

It always comes as a shock when doctors announce that the woman was expecting twins. While the wife worries about the future scarcity of her already limited free time, the husband looks forward to a greater salary. Imagine the elation of Bobbie McCohugh when she instantly discovered she wasn’t just expecting one baby, but seven. They were part of a Baptist family.

Bobby and Kenny McCohugh lived a large portion of their life confined to the Iowa court system. Throughout the week, the hardworking couple worked hard, hoping to buy a house as soon as possible. On weekends, they were regular attendees at a Baptist church function. In January 1996, they were blessed with their daughter Mikayla.

Before Mikayla was even born, they had decided they wanted three, maybe even four children. However, the doctors informed Bobby that it might not be possible.

Bobby started taking her medicine and soon after became pregnant again. The initial ultrasound revealed the startling news that there were seven embryos growing at the same time. The doctors cautioned that carrying them to term was improbable. Nevertheless, on November 17, 1997, the boys Kenny, Nathan, Brandon, and Joel, along with the girls Alexis, Natalie, and Kelsey were born.

This astonishing event became known to the entire country. Greetings from compatriots, including well-known celebrities, poured in. Even the former president sent his best wishes for the new additions to their family. The septuplets and their delighted parents made headlines, gracing the front pages of newspapers.

The McCohugh household was a hub of chaos. Kenny McCohugh, who manufactured kitchen furniture, also served as a deacon in a peaceful Baptist community on weekends. He couldn’t abandon his work to assist his wife with the children.

However, family, neighbors, and volunteers in particular came to the help. A schedule was crafted where someone cleaned the house, someone else fed the children, and someone else took care of grocery shopping.

Generous donors contributed a 500-square-meter house and a minivan to the young family. A two-year supply of diapers and clothes awaited them, along with partially paid babysitting services. The authorities in Iowa confirmed that the children would receive a monthly stipend upon entering a public university.