Wednesday, September 2, 2009

How Many Diapers?

On Twitter yesterday I came across an article that Michelle Duggar had announced she was pregnant with their 19th child. While my mind has a hard time wrapping itself around me having a family that large, a little something at the end of the article made me about fall off my chair.

According to the Guiness Book of World Records entry for "most prolific mother ever:''
"The greatest officially recorded number of children born to one mother is 69, to the wife of Feodor Vassilyev (b. 1707-c.1782), a peasant from Shuya, Russia. In 27 confinements she gave birth to 16 pairs of twins, seven sets of triplets and four sets of quadruplets."
Sixty nine.

How many diapers do you suppose that was in her entire lifetime?
posted at

15 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 2, 2009 at 9:25 PM

    poor mom, that lady must've had a full life!!I have a hard time understanding how my sisters can manage 3-4 kids, and I'm amazed by my mom who had 8 kids and full-time job...but 69 is quite a number!!!:)..

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 2, 2009 at 9:35 PM

    I don't think I'd even want to know!

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  3. Chel's Leaving a LegacySeptember 2, 2009 at 9:49 PM

    I hate to say this, but Russia? I wonder if they even wore diapers!!

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  4. MorganSeptember 2, 2009 at 9:50 PM

    My estimate is 690,000 diapers. That's a lot! I find it fascinating that she had no singles, and that they all survived. But wow, I just don't even want to think about all those births.

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  5. SusanaSeptember 2, 2009 at 9:53 PM

    Seriously?! I can't even comprehend that. I'm with you, I can't envision 19--OK, right now, I'm wondering how I will juggle four:-).

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  6. AnonymousSeptember 2, 2009 at 10:11 PM

    ooo my goodness thats crazy!!!!!!!

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  7. Michelle @ Delicate ConstructionSeptember 3, 2009 at 12:36 AM

    oh. my. gosh. Wow-I think that is all I can say.

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  8. Laura@kidsofcharacterSeptember 3, 2009 at 12:57 AM

    Imagine her getting on to one of her kids: "Hey, Schoeve, I mean, Kvosle, I mean Dkovrel... It's bad enough that I have to go through three kids to figure out the right name. After 15 kids I think I would just start giving them numbers instead of names.

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  9. AnonymousSeptember 3, 2009 at 9:32 AM

    i think giving birth 27 times during her time is not unusual...she just got lucky to have several twins, triplets and quadruplets. :) She must be very strong and healthy to bear that.

    Jenb

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  10. Life is 5 Minutes LongSeptember 3, 2009 at 9:36 AM

    Good heavens. I know children are a blessing but who has time for that many? What a legacy....

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  11. Just MomSeptember 3, 2009 at 9:45 AM

    OH! MY! WORD!

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  12. RhondaSeptember 3, 2009 at 12:56 PM

    Wow!!!!! How can one body go through the births alone?? I love the Duggars though...I've met them and been to their home.

    I just wanted to stop by and say CONGRATS! I just stumbled upon HOme Sanctuary in August. I just saw where you had the most points for August for the 'small things'! Way to Go! Guess what! I am going to kick some booty in September. Your new competition has arrived! hee hee

    To bad I cannot print the list. Something about not being able to print adobe. UGH!

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  13. Heart2HeartSeptember 3, 2009 at 5:18 PM

    I can't even comprehend what that must do to your body. I wonder how many of them were born early based on earlier pregnancies?

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  14. Jo AnnSeptember 3, 2009 at 5:58 PM

    Wow! Makes my uterus hurt just thinking about it! :)

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  15. Jenn @ Beautiful CallingSeptember 6, 2009 at 9:01 PM

    WOW! 27 pregnancies is a lot but convievable in her day. 69 children though? Mind-blowing.

    Imagine how much you would have to rely on HIM to get you through each day!

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