A 70-year-old woman in India has given birth to twins, making her the world’s oldest mother. The woman, Erramatti Mangayamma, had undergone in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and successfully delivered the babies via C-section at a hospital in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh on September 5, 2019.
Mangayamma and her husband, who is 82 years old, had been trying to conceive for nearly 57 years without success. After consulting with doctors at a fertility clinic, the couple decided to undergo IVF treatment.
Despite her advanced age, Mangayamma’s pregnancy was reportedly healthy and she delivered two healthy baby girls, weighing 2.2 pounds each. However, the new mother has struggled to keep up with the demands of caring for twins at her age.
Mangayamma’s case has sparked controversy, with some questioning the ethics of allowing women of such advanced age to undergo IVF treatment. Others have criticized the couple’s decision to have children at a time when they may not be able to provide adequate care for them.
According to reports, the couple has no immediate family members to help care for the newborns, and their financial situation is uncertain. The government has reportedly offered to provide financial assistance to the family, but it remains unclear if they will accept.
The case also highlights the growing popularity of IVF treatment in India, where many couples face social stigma and pressure to have children. In recent years, there has been a surge in demand for fertility treatments, and clinics have opened across the country to meet the demand.
However, the lack of regulation and oversight in the industry has raised concerns about the safety and ethics of such treatments. Critics argue that the focus on profit over patient well-being has led to a rise in unscrupulous practices, such as the exploitation of vulnerable women and the sale of eggs and embryos.
Despite these concerns, Mangayamma’s case has been hailed as a medical marvel and a triumph of modern science. The doctors who performed the procedure have been praised for their expertise and skill, and the couple has expressed their gratitude to the medical team for making their dream of parenthood a reality.
As the world’s oldest mother, Mangayamma’s case is sure to spark debate and raise questions about the ethics of IVF treatment, particularly for older women. While some may see her as a pioneer and a symbol of hope for others struggling with infertility, others will undoubtedly question the wisdom of bringing children into the world at such an advanced age. Only time will tell how Mangayamma and her family will fare in the years to come, but her story is sure to be remembered as a remarkable and controversial moment in the history of reproductive medicine.
