67-year-old Spaniard gives birth to twins

[gldstwmn]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe....ap/index.html

MADRID, Spain (AP) -- A 67-year-old Spanish woman became the world's oldest mother after she gave birth to twins in the northern city of Barcelona on Saturday, a hospital official said.

The woman, whose identity has not been revealed by Sant Pau hospital, gave birth by Caesarian section on Saturday, having previously undergone in vitro fertilization in the United States, according to the national news agency EFE.

Originally from the southern region of Andalucia, the new mother chose the Barcelona hospital because it specializes in high-risk births.

The mother and twins are all doing well, though the babies are both in incubators, a hospital spokeswoman said. The hospital did not reveal the gender of the twins.

The previous holder of the oldest-mother record was 66-year-old Romanian citizen Adriana Iliescu, who gave birth to baby Eliza Maria in January 2005.

[Rickypt]

Totally selfish and a very bad idea. She is going to be 73, 74 when the twins start kindergarten and in her late 80's, if alive, when they graduate from high school. What kind of mother can she be? And if she was so desperate to have a kid at that age, why not adopt.

[carrie721]

wow. how odd. and i echo ryan's sentiment ... terrible idea, terribly selfish.

[Rickypt]

I also think it's a bad use of science and technology. Help women of a reasonable age who have trouble conceiving, don't use it for something that really goes against nature. I really try to have an open mind and believe should be able to do what they want, but this one really bothers me.

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by Rickypt

I also think it's a bad use of science and technology. Help women of a reasonable age who have trouble conceiving, don't use it for something that really goes against nature. I really try to have an open mind and believe should be able to do what they want, but this one really bothers me.

i have issues with fertility treatments in general ... i think the world is overpopulated, period. why make more people? it's easy for me to say this, of course, because i have no intention or desire to carry a baby and give birth, and i understand that many (most? i dunno) women do have that urge. so i dunno. if my life partner wanted to do in vitro, i would stauchly oppose it, and it would probably be a deal breaker for me. there are just so many kids in foster care ... i'd much rather give one of them a permanent home.

[BlackWidow]

The PTA will be up in arms...

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by Rickypt

I also think it's a bad use of science and technology. Help women of a reasonable age who have trouble conceiving, don't use it for something that really goes against nature. I really try to have an open mind and believe should be able to do what they want, but this one really bothers me.

I can't believe her doctor consented to this.

[Rickypt]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

I can't believe her doctor consented to this.

Publicity, maybe?

[DavidMn]

Apparently she hasnt reached the stage where she's fallen and cant get up.

[Rickypt]

Just so I'm clear, I was referring only to the 67 year old woman with my comments. I think it is crazy and selfish, but she can do what she wants with her body.

I have friends (way younger) who have used fertility treatment to get pregnant and I think it is a remarkable breakthrough in science. The desire to have your own kid is natural and strong. I also don't think it is unique to women, as I have recently finished a several year period of having that strong desire.

And sparky....you don't need long legs to be a good distance runner. Track, yes, distance not so much. My dad and I both have short legs and were very good distance runners in high school.

[sparky]

Originally Posted by Rickypt

And sparky....you don't need long legs to be a good distance runner. Track, yes, distance not so much. My dad and I both have short legs and were very good distance runners in high school.

They never helped me! And it so wasn't the point.

I still find IVF creepy. I've seen it create as much misery as it averted - WTF to do with the extra embryos? What happens when you're carrying a litter and only wanted one kid? It can be a real can of worms.

But, people being miserable over infertility is no picnic either. I'll never understand it, but I don't have those hormones or desires. Adoption is a time consuming, expensive crap shoot. I don't envy anyone having to face those choices. Nonetheless, the idea of doctors creating new life in their offices when there are so many kids on the planet without parents - it's a thoery that strikes me as odd. But it obviously serves a lot of people well.

[Rickypt]

Originally Posted by sparky

And it so wasn't the point.

I know it wasn't. Just another one of my failed attempts to add some levity, but forgot to include an emoticon.

[amber]

Originally Posted by Rickypt

I know it wasn't. Just another one of my failed attempts to add some levity, but forgot to include an emoticon.

I believe that is how Ledge World War I started - someone forgot an emoticon...

I don't like in vitro because there are already too many kids, but I also would rather have my own kid, genetically from me, so...basically I have no point. Except my usual one, that people should stop having so many damn kids. Which isn't really related, here.

[CelticGypsy]

Those poor kids. That lady is old enough to be their great-grandmother. What a crazy idea. Her doctor shouldn't have done it. I can see doing this for someone under 45 years old but not for a 67 year old. I'm a grandma and became a grandma at age 42 and I can't imagine having another baby at my age now of almost 50. I enjoy and love my grandkids and I can send them home if they start to act up I can't imagine starting over and raising a new family now. Can't exactly tote kids around to go see Stevie's concerts