Nadya Suleman, famously known as “Octomom,” reflects on her journey as a mother of 14, revealing her biggest regret about not suing her fertility doctor and sharing her pride in raising her children despite the challenges and public scrutiny.

After years in the public eye, Natalie “Nadya” Suleman, better known as “Octomom,” is once again sharing her story with the world.

It’s been 16 years since she made headlines by giving birth to the world’s first surviving octuplets, a medical feat that led to both widespread admiration and intense scrutiny.

Following her extraordinary journey into motherhood, Suleman, now 48, became a figure synonymous with her large family. However, after the overwhelming public attention that followed her 2009 birth, she retreated from the limelight in 2013.

Now, Suleman is back, preparing to reveal the story of her remarkable life in an upcoming Lifetime film, I Was Octomom, and a docuseries, Confessions of Octomom, which premieres on March 8 and 10, 2025.

In an exclusive interview with People, Suleman reflects on the highs and lows of her life as a mother of 14, sharing the difficulties and triumphs she’s faced along the way.

She opens up about what she wishes she had done differently, confessing that her biggest regret centers around the fertility doctor who helped her conceive her octuplets.

Suleman, who conceived all 14 of her children via in vitro fertilization (IVF), expressed that she should have taken legal action against the doctor who, in her opinion, pushed her into multiple embryo transfers despite the potential risks.

“I should have sued my fertility doctor,” Suleman admits. “At the time, I wasn’t educated enough, and he didn’t inform me of the dangers.

I trusted him, but I didn’t understand what I was getting myself into.” Her statement reflects a complicated relationship with the medical professionals involved in her fertility journey.

In retrospect, she wishes she had been more proactive in questioning the process and seeking more information on the possible outcomes. Despite the challenges, Suleman remains resolute in her commitment to her children, many of whom are now teenagers and young adults.

Her regret stems from the fact that, while IVF gave her the gift of 14 children, it also led to intense financial and emotional strain.

From the moment her octuplets were born, Suleman faced intense public scrutiny, especially from the media and the public, who questioned her ability to care for such a large family.

As her children grew, so did the challenges—raising multiple young children, all with varying needs and personalities, placed significant pressure on her as a single mother.

Yet, despite everything, Suleman remains proud of her children, who she says are grounded, kind, and humble. She credits much of their positive qualities to the values she’s instilled in them. “I’m so grateful for my children. They’re all very loving, very respectful,” she says.

“We’ve made it through everything together as a family, and they’re turning into good-hearted, strong individuals.” She continues to express immense pride in their growth, noting how they have become independent, responsible, and thoughtful.

For Suleman, motherhood has been both a rewarding and challenging experience, and the love she feels for her kids is apparent in every word she speaks.

However, her journey has not been without its difficulties. Raising 14 children without external help was a huge challenge, and Suleman often had to juggle the demands of parenting with the constant attention from the media.

The scrutiny she faced during the early years of her octuplets’ lives made it even harder for her to navigate motherhood.

“I just wanted to be a mom, but the world was watching,” she explains. Despite the external pressures, she remained determined to protect her family and provide them with as much love and support as possible.

As Suleman prepares to step back into the public eye with the release of her new Lifetime projects, she is also reflecting on how much her life has changed.

Over the years, she has learned to navigate the ups and downs of her public persona while staying focused on the well-being of her children.

“I’m just a mom of many,” she says with a smile, acknowledging the love and support she receives from her large family. Her story is a testament to the resilience and strength it takes to raise a family under the most unusual of circumstances.

Looking ahead, Suleman is hopeful for the future of her children, and although she acknowledges her regrets, she is proud of the family they have become.

She’s found peace with her past decisions and is looking forward to the next chapter of her life. Whether through her new projects or in her personal life, Suleman is once again in the spotlight, this time with a different perspective on her remarkable journey of motherhood.