70 Year old Woman Gives Birth
Do you believe that our ability as humans with medicine has gone farther then it should go? I read this article today about a woman, 72 years old, who underwent IVF treatment to bring a ‘male heir’ into her family and gave birth to twins-one girl, one boy. She is Indian and her family mortgaged their land, sold their animals, and took out credit cards for this venture. They currently have 2 adult children and 5 grandchildren already. The father is 75 years old.
I just don’t get it.
I love how they are modern enough to seek out IVF treatment at 70 years old, but not modern enough to accept their female daughters as their “heirs”. What the hell are they going to leave behind for them to “inherit” anyway…they mortgaged and sold everything off. The irony.
To top it off, the babies were born premature and only 2 pounds a piece. They are expected to make it, but what kind of life are they going to live when their parents will most likely die before they are grown and married on their own. Ah hell, they could die at anytime. 72 and 75 years old are no spring chickens. Its a fact that having children over 35 (OMG, IM ALREADY 30) carry a higher risk for the unborn child AND the mother. And 70? What point did she not say, hey, im 40……..50……..60………and want another child? She waited till she was over 70 years old?
I just find the whole thing terribly sad.
Other women having kids older
- 67 year old woman gives birth to twins
- 60 year old Jersey Mom Gives birth to twins
- 62 year old woman gives birth
- 56 year old surrogate mom gives birth to triplets
How do you feel about it? When should women just stop trying to get pregnant?
~Trisha
Angela G (200)
tiffany (94)
Darci (25)
Nancy (19)
shawn (12)
28 Comments
So, in essence, this woman and her husband have given birth to a child that other people will have to raise. Great! and amazingly selfish. The doctors should not be allowed to practice. Leave these “choices” to God who decided that this couple should be childless.
Man all I can say is…I wish I left my parents when I was 13, but unfortunately I had to wait a tad bit longer.
Yikes, can you imagine how terrible that pregnancy must have been for the 72 year old mother? It about killed me at 25, and I wasn’t having twins!
I don’t think women that old should be having babies. It is unfair to the children to have a 75 year old mom who could die any day. Plus, there could be many things wrong with the children that go along with pregnancy at old age.
If it was so important to carry on the family name or have a mail heir, you’d think they would have started worrying about it FAR before they were in their 70’s. This is just plain weird to me, and I feel sorry that the babies will not grow up with their mom and dad.
I could see being a surrogate for your daughter/son if they could not have children of their own, but having a baby at that age just seems selfish!!!
Just because you CAN doesn’t mean you SHOULD. The fact that IVF was used should be a clue that the human body is not meant to have babies that late in life.
This wasn’t some “miracle pregnancy”. This was two people deciding that THE most important thing was getting a baby boy. I’m sorry, but as a woman, I have a really hard time with that. I enjoy learning about other cultures and value and respect others. I won’t demonize their choice, it doesn’t affect me in the long run, but what kind of message does this send to other women in India and the world at large? That women are ONLY of value as long as they can produce a MALE hier? What does this say to their daughters and grandaughters? that they don’t count?
Please don’t think me insensitive, we have plenty of adoptions in our families and I’ve seen more than one close family member struggle with infertility. I am thankful everyday that I was able to birth two healthy children of my own. But personally, I don’t really support IVF. I’m sorry if that offends you, comment reader, it’s not a personal attack on those who have used it successfully. I just think doctors have overstepped their bounds here (and in other areas of medicine). Talk about playing God…
I would buy that argument if they had NO kids…but they had 2 grown adult kids and 5 grandchildren. They were by no means suffering with no children, and 72 is extremely elderly by any definition.
And Im a bit confused on the “how long do u guys take care of ur children…by the age of 13 they leave u all and have their own lives”
Kids in america are kids till they are 18 years old and do not leave till they are of that age, its not 13.
I think you are also sadly misinformed that the majority of children go to foster care. Foster care is reserved for families that either cannot care for their children or children in dangerous situations, and do not encompass the majority of an everyday American, but rather a sad reality of SOME childrens lives. And we are lucky to have a foster care system in this country for children that do need it.
IN fact, on our board, we have several foster care mothers that love and care for children why they find stable homes.
Ok…so each of u have said whatever u want…now its my turn…Well didnt u guys see the smile on their faces..the joy of becoming mom and dad, which they were yearning for ages…indians are hardworkers and im sure they will live long enough to bring up their girl…how long do u guys take care of ur children…by the age of 13 they leave u all and have their own lives…many of u guys cant even look after ur own kids…and they have to go to foster homes…that baby girl will get love and affection from everyone in india…Indians are very social and caring people…in Western countries u dont know who ur neighbour is….here in india our whole neighbourhood is part of a family…so dont worry..If the child has come into this world…its one of Gods creation…stop critizing…think about urself and what u can do better to improve ur lives and ur childrens lives instead of laughing at others
I feel especially sorry for the female twin. She isn’t even going to inherit the massive debt or the questionable ‘honor’ of being the desired family heir. Many cultures raise their children ‘collectively’ rather than a direct parent—>child relationship and I see nothing wrong with that, but that poor kid is going to be penniless.
And I too think the Jurassic Park quote applies – just because you CAN, doesn’t mean you SHOULD.
I think it’s completely irresponsible and thoughtless.
I hear you, CanCan, but what kind of life are these babies going to have?
Putting the age thing aside for a moment, their parents went into debt big time, and are accruing even more since the babies will be in NICU for quite some time. In a country where millions are in severe poverty already. So how in the world will they be able to provide for their needs?
I think it’s beyond unfair of them to actively seek out this “option,” especially considering their other children will surely be the ones doing the majority of the caregiving. I would love to know how those other children truly feel.
Personally, I believe I would feel beyond slighted. Possibly unwanted or worthless.
I think the whole thing is sad.
I shall leave everyone with a quote from Jeff Gold Bloom’s character in Jurasic Park as my opinion, “You all were so busy thinking that you could that you didn’t think about whether you should”.
I think the docotrs took advantage of an old women who felt trapped by an outdated societal rule “passing on everything to the male family memember”. Cat makes a valid oint about menapause being nature’ way of telling a women se is no longer fit to have children. Many of you may disagree with this, but it is there for a reason.
I think it is irresponsible to place the burden of the child on their children intentionally knowin gthat they are most likely goin got die soon. However, they could live to for 20-30 more years, but that will not be an active 20-30 years as they will be too frail to handle a child. Of course India believes ina sociey where the family all live together and take care of each other so their perspective is quite different than ours.
I dont know my grandfather had a baby at 52 and he is still kicking and his daughter is 23! its not like he did it for the name either he has 5 other children!!!
My Dad adopted my little sister when he was in his late 40’s.
I guess whatever floats your boat. maybe it will keep her living longer?
CanCan, the difference for me is not if someone were to get naturally pregnant, but via IVF at an age that is 37 years older then doctors start worrying about pregnancy as it is. It just seems unfair to CHOOSE that life.
I’m just guessing because I don’t know much about the Indian culture, but I think it is more about carrying on the family name than it is about an inheritance–which in many cultures is VERY important.
Learning about other cultures is very interesting–and might just give us a little more insight as to why these kinds of things are done.
I know I wouldn’t want to give birth at 70, but to each his own.
I feel that saying these babies shouldn’t have been born is a really slippery slope.
They are adorable, and they will have the chance to grow up and make a positive contribution to society no matter if their parents live 2 more years or 25.
Yes these parents are super old, but I would never want someone to arbitrarily decide that I am unfit as a parent because of my age. What if by some miracle I had a surprise pregnancy when I am 65? Should “someone” be allowed to take my child from me just because I am “too old” and I was “selfish” to have a baby? I hope I would have the freedom keep my baby and parent it as long as I was physically able.
My own parents are in their late 50’s, approaching 60, and in my will, they will become the legal guardians of my children (4 and 1) if something were to happen to me. I feel good about that decision and I know they will do a terrific job if (heaven forbid) the need ever arises.
I do believe that children are a blessing, and each one of us is here for a reason.
Sure the age is shocking, but I don’t think it is fair to say that old people don’t deserve their offspring. A lot of “young” people go through IVF and never get pregnant.
I want to see a picture of the mother.
I agree with the other’s. Just because modern medicine allows for this stuff to happen, doesn’t make it right! Those babies will be orphanes before they most likely are potty trained! What kind of life is that for them.
Man I am 28 and my body is telling me know more, can only imagine what their bodies go through
I think it is horrible of both the parents and the doctors. At 70 years old…how in the heck will she be able to care for a toddler, then a tween, teen???? She won’t be able to. Everyone else would be assuming that role…qualified or not.
Oh wow.
very selfish- its sad to know these childrens parents wil most likey not be around in a few years.
I think it’s terrible! Those kids won’t even know their parents! Very selfish!
I, too, think it’s selfish.
But the 56 year old…she was a surrogate? So she was doing it for someone else…which is unselfish.
More than likely, the grown children will have to raise the babies.
At a certain point, it becomes more about the parents and less about the kids. It is really selfish to knowingly bring a child into the world (in spite of the risks to baby and mother) when the parent will most likely not see the child into adulthood and will be a burden on that child.
I think it is a bunch of bull and it really pisses me off…if I can be honest. Besides the whole age thing…I think many people do not think of the realities of raising a child that is premature. So these parents probably are not even going to be around to raise their children…but what about these childrens health?!! I honestly think anyone thinking about IVF should check out a NICU…because if you end up with multiples…then there is a good chance you will spend some time there.
I’m going to be honest…probably what many won’t like but I feel that once your body goes through menapause it’s natures way of telling you that your time has passed for reproduction. And I’m only saying this, if you were fertile in the first place. I’m not against infertility treatments to have children, but there should be limits.
Makes me ill. Serioulsy. And I agree that the irony is Huge regarding the “modern” issue-get IVF but to hell with the female heirs. And um, yeah-would an american doc allowed this for that reason? Oh wait-yes thay would have. Screw the kids-this shit makes international headlines! Seriously a new low in humanity.
IMHO–I think that it is selfish to have kids that old! Who is really going to raise the kids?? At 28 y.o. I barely have enough energy to keep up with my lil ones and take care of my hubster and myself.