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I'm doubtful as to whether it was IVF. Most doctors simply won't implant that many embryos at once. They may fertilize that many, but they'll save the remaining embryos for a future try, realizing that a large multiple pregnancy endangers both the mother and the fetuses, and that premature birth (which is common with multiples) often leaves a baby with physical or developmental challenges.

With artificial insemination, however, that many eggs can develop as a result of fertility medicine. They can be fertilized, and decisions have to be made as to whether to have selective reduction, to bring the number of embryos down and give them each a better shot at development and survival. In this case, however, the mother chose to try to carry them all rather than choose to destroy any of them.

Honestly, if I were in that position, I'm not sure how I'd decide. I'd want the embryos to have the best possible chance, but I'd struggle over the question of selective reduction. I'd always think "what if," and wonder about the ones that weren't born. While the prospect of carrying and then caring for eight babies is frightening, the prospect of having to choose selective reduction is really scary as well.