Too Old to Have Babies? 57-year-old Woman Gave Birth to Twins

57-year-old woman gave birth to tube twins in Australia.

Delivering at advanced age becomes a hot issue.

How old is it too old to have babies?

57-year-old Indian woman and her twin babies.

According to Australian media in November 7, a 57-year-old Indian woman gave birth to a pair of tube twins in surgery in Purse in Australia. She is said to be the oldest woman who delivers babies in Australia.

She was fertilized by test tube in India.

It is said that the woman came from India. She got fertilized by test tube in India, and spent pregnancy in Western Australia State in Australia with her husband's accompany. However, it is not clear whether she would bring up the children in Australia.

According to the spokesman in the King Edward Memorial Hospital where the woman gave birth to the twins, the hospital is responsible of keeping patients' privacy, which will not be revealed without patients' consent.

Dispute: How old is it too old to have babies?
This record-breaking event will definitely arouse people's attention: How old is it too old to have babies? According to latest statistics in health center of Western Australia State where Purse locates, there were only six women older than fifty years old who gave birth successfully from 1980 to 2009.

Australian medical Association president Paise says that there is a very low chance for women older than 44 years old to get fertilized by test tube successfully, therefore, there are only a few women older than fifty years old who can get the treatment of test fertilization. "Definitely, there are a lot of problems too." He says, "As a doctor, one needs to make it clear for the patients to understand what it means to give birth at such ages. There are not many cases for such old women to get fertilized by test tube. However, we live in a society where human choices are highly respected."

Should there be a age limit for test tube fertilization?

It is reported in the information department of Australian pregnancy in 2007 that the oldest women who has given birth so far was 56 years old.
Delivery specialist Boten in Purse says, "It's not an old age to give birth at 57 worldwide. But I think each person has his own opinion as for how old is too old." He says that since there is a lack in egg donation is Australia, many Australian women take test tube fertilization in India or South Africa.

Boten says that there is no age limit for test tube fertilization in Western Australia. The limit is 45 in some state though. "I think it kind of discriminating to set an age limit, because some women aging 46 may still be as healthy as 30-year-old heavy smoking women."
From China Daily
By Qianjiang Evening News