In 1979, over-40 Ruth (Mary Fickett) and Joe (Ray MacDonnell ) were elated when they learned she was expecting. But they feared the baby might be born with health problems due to Ruth's age. After much deliberation, Ruth and Joe decided against terminating the pregnancy and welcomed healthy Joey on Christmas Day.

Donna (Candice Earley) gave birth to Palmer John Cortlandt in 1982. Unbeknownst to Donna, Palmer (James Mitchell ) knew he was infertile, and therefore was not his namesake's father (Chuck was). Their marriage flopped, and the tot was tragically killed in a fire.

In 1989, Adam's desire for a male heir led him to cheat on wife Brooke with Dixie (Cady McClain), who became pregnant and gave birth to Adam Chandler, Jr. (now known as JR). His scheme to convince Dixie that she'd gone mad, have her committed and raise the baby with Brooke was foiled, in large part, thanks to Dixie's true love, Tad (Michael E. Knight).

When Barbara (Susan Pratt) and Tom (Richard Shoberg) married, they were harboring a secret: Barbara's baby girl, Molly, was the product of her fling with Travis. When the child was diagnosed with leukemia, Barbara slept with Travis to produce a baby with potentially compatible bone marrow. Little Matthew's birth in 1991 saved Molly's life, but the fallout from his paternity ruined Travis and Erica's marriage, as well as Tom and Barbara's.