( CNN ) -- The mother of a woman who gave birth on Monday to octuplets said her daughter already has six children at home and was undergoing fertility treatment . Dr. Karen Maples is part of the large team of doctors and nurses that helped deliver the octuplets . The Los Angeles Times reported on Thursday that Angela Suleman said her daughter had the embryos implanted last year , resulting in the eight births . `` They all happened to take , '' Suleman told the Times . `` I looked at those babies . They are so tiny and so beautiful . '' The woman declined to have the number of embryos reduced when she discovered she was carrying multiples , the Times reported . The six older siblings range from ages 7 to 2 , according to the newspaper . Suleman said she was concerned about her daughter 's homecoming because her husband , a contract worker , is due to return to Iraq . In the meantime , the mother , who remains unidentified , appealed for privacy while she recovers from giving birth , medical officials said Thursday . In her written statement delivered by Dr. Karen Maples of the Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center in California , the woman who delivered eight babies in five minutes said she would soon make public the details of her `` miraculous experience . '' `` We understand that you are all curious about the arrival of the octuplets , and we appreciate your respect for our family 's privacy , '' she said . `` The babies continue to grow strong every day and make good progress . My family and I are ecstatic about all of their arrivals . '' `` Needless to say , the eighth was a surprise to us all , but a blessing as well , '' she added . The six boys and two girls -- ranging in weight from 1 pound , 8 ounces to 3 pounds , 4 ounces -- are doing well following their Caesarean-section delivery at the Bellflower hospital , doctors said . They were born nine weeks premature . Dr. Mandhir Gupta , a neonatalist , said all but one of the octuplets are now breathing on their own . That baby might be taken off breathing equipment Friday . Caring for eight premature babies is a challenge . Duties are being shared by a large team of hospital nurses and doctors for the time being . Two nurses have been assigned to each child , and all the babies are receiving fluids , proteins and vitamins intravenously , Gupta said . `` We feed them . ... We change diapers . ... When they cry , we console them , '' Gupta said . `` When the mom comes and touches the babies , you can definitely see their expression on their faces and body . They are very happy . '' The babies , who are being referred to by letters of the alphabet , will remain in the hospital for at least seven more weeks . Baby H made headlines for its surprise appearance during the delivery , which took months of preparation by a team of doctors , nurses and respiratory therapists . Watch a report on babies ' progress » . The mother will not be able to hold her babies for another week , Gupta said . They are still fragile , developing intestines , he said . Doctors initially thought the mother was pregnant with seven fetuses . She was hospitalized seven weeks ago and ordered to bed rest . During the seven weeks , a team of 46 physicians , nurses and other staff members prepared for the births . When they started the delivery Monday , they were in for a surprise . `` After the seventh baby was born , we were taking a sigh of relief , '' Maples said . `` It was a surprise of our life when we in fact discovered there was an eighth baby , '' she said . `` We never had an assignment for baby H nurse or baby H doctor . We just had to go on the fly and figure out what to do . '' `` Baby G nurse stepped up . We handed off the baby to baby G nurse . She then delivered that last baby to the neonatologist of the baby F. '' `` It was all wonderful because of the teamwork and the training we did before , '' Maples said .
Grandmother of the eight babies : 'They are so tiny and so beautiful ' The father , a contract worker , is due to return to Iraq , mother-in-law says . Mother of babies appeals for privacy while she recovers from giving birth . Large medical team monitoring babies ; each infant has two devoted nurses .