Patti Frustaci Released From Intensive Care

Patti Frustaci was released from the intensive care unit of St. Joseph Hospital Monday afternoon while her five new infants remained in critical but stable condition in nearby Childrens Hospital of Orange County.

Frustaci, who gave birth to septuplets a week ago, was “quite fatigued” Monday, hospital spokeswoman Debra Conker said.

This morning, Frustaci is scheduled to appear at her first press conference, where she is expected to announce the babies’ names.

Frustaci’s doctor expects to release her from the hospital by Wednesday, Conker said.

At Childrens Hospital, Babies A and E continued to show improvement Monday, C and D were improved slightly and infant B remained in critical condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.

A sixth infant, nicknamed “Peanut” because of his size, died Friday morning of cardio-respiratory failure. The seventh infant, a girl, was stillborn.

Frustaci, 30, of Riverside saw her children for the first time Saturday evening. Conker would not say Monday whether Frustaci had visited them since then.

“She has said that it is a private time for her” and has asked the hospital not to release information about her visits with the babies, Conker said.

Frustaci is making “steady improvement” but is tired, Conker said.

The births that have attracted national attention have left Frustaci’s husband, Samuel, 32, also very tired, she said.

Samuel Frustaci is expected to join his wife today at the press conference.