Calgary woman, 60, gives birth to twins

[B o d i]

Source: Vancouver Sun

CALGARY - A 60-year-old woman delivered twins at Calgary's Foothills Hospital Tuesday, family members confirmed. She is believed to be the oldest person in Canada to give birth.

Family members said Ranjit Hayer and her husband have been trying to have a child for years, to no avail. Reports say Hayer, originally from India, returned to the country to receive in vitro fertilization after being turned down in Canada because of her age.

-snip-

The oldest known mother to give birth was last year in India when 70-year-old Omkari Panwar gave birth to twins after receiving in vitro fertilization.

In 2006, a 67-year-old Spanish woman had twins, her first children, in Barcelona. That woman also received in vitro fertilization.

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/Health/year+woman+gave+birth+twins+Calgary+Tuesday/1256896/story.html

[DesertFlower]

1. holy shit. nt

[JerseygirlCT]

2. Oh my. I wish her luck

I know there was a huge difference in my energy level between 30 and 40. And small ones take a lot of energy. I hope she has lots of help!

[yellowcanine]

12. Doubly so for the kids. Did this couple even stop to think about the fact that they would be 80

before the kid was 21?

[progressivebydesign]

15. my in-laws are near 80 and still work a horse ranch, work out.

everyone is different. So many grandparents are raising their grandkids now, 80 is not old if you stay active and healthy.

[yellowcanine]

18. There is a difference between doing what has to be done (grandparents raising

grandchildren) and deliberately setting out to create a situation. Yes, many 80 year olds are healthy and fit - for 80 year olds. But not for 40 - 50 year olds. I am not buying that argument.

[superconnected]

53. Most people die before they hit 80. The ones who live are usually not self sufficent.

Sure there are exceptions, but not that many.

I hope it's different in 20 years.

[Cleita]

44. If she is Indian, hopefully, there will be extended family to help out, although

I don't know if that would happen in Calgary as well.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

3. This fertility fetish

really has got to stop. :mad: It is wildly irresponsible.

[margotb822]

4. Just like any medical treatment

Only the people that are actually in need of it should be given the procedure/medication/etc. Elective procedures are one thing, but this is ridiculous.

[Kali]

55. who decides?

face it having kids at all is "elective" no matter how fit you are. Who decides what actual need is and who has that need?

[ShortnFiery]

6. Hey, I say - let these OLDER WOMEN be free to have children. Larry King, et. al. can, so can they.

:evilgrin:

[yellowcanine]

10. Two wrongs, etc. And there is significantly more risk to both child and mother as age increases.

Not to mention that older folks are more likely to die before the child reaches maturity. I cannot condone this for men or women. It is not fair to the child.

[ShortnFiery]

20. Nope, we can NOT legislate morality. As women have more income and means, they should be FREE

to plan their families any way they see fit. No gender discrimination!

No way would I personally wish to have a child at an older age but I'll be damned if I'm going to legislate morality for women ESPECIALLY since there's far too many "sugar daddies" at 70+.

[yellowcanine]

28. Not talking about legislation. Talking about common sense. And note that I am not condoning

geriatric dads either.

[ShortnFiery]

33. Yes, common sense once told many that "the races shouldn't mix" ... attitudes do change with time.

[yellowcanine]

37. Attitudes do but biology is quite a different kettle of fish. Apples and oranges.

[ShortnFiery]

42. Did you not read my earlier comment? = If you plan on having a child after 40 y.o.

and have the financial resources, you can have your eggs harvested and stored UNTIL you are at a point in your career and life when you CHOOSE to have a baby. :shrug:

[yellowcanine]

47. Not just the eggs you have to worry about. The pregnancy itself is much riskier for both mother and

child with older mothers. Humans are not machines. We cannot just choose what we want and ignore biology. Even the healthiest 60 year old woman is nearly as capable of safely carrying a child to term as most 30 year old women.

[Darth_Kitten]

65. Not necessarily.....

Look at all the 40 somethings having babies. Nothing wrong if a woman is otherwise healthy.

Complications of pregnancy can happen for women of all ages.

[yellowcanine]

67. We are talking 60, not 40. And I am talking averages here. Older = more risk.

[Darth_Kitten]

80. Of course......and actually your post has inspired me.....

I feel less doubtful being 40......still within my childbearing years. :)

[Darth_Kitten]

62. you still have eggs at 40........

you can have them until menopause. So I've heard.

[Darth_Kitten]

64. actually, women who give birth over 40 are four times more likely to live to be 100....

than women who do not.

What's not fair are people having babies for the wrong reasons.

[Darth_Kitten]

63. Right on.

:)

[ShortnFiery]

5. OMG! I was 35 y.o. and still felt too old to be having children.

God Bless Them! I'm just glad it's not ME. ;)

[Texano78704]

7. Was her name...

Sarah?

[Bobbieo]

9. She is too old to be having children!!! She and her husband should have considered adoption.

My mother was almost 50 when I was born and believe me we missed out on most of the Mother/Daughter activties when I was growing up because of her age.

[ShortnFiery]

26. Where do you hail from, CHINA?

It's a matter of personal freedom and choice. We may personally not agree but it's not up to us to say what's moral and what's not. :shrug:

[tigereye]

56. I totally agree with you - I probably wouldn't want to do it, but if folks are

able to - I guess I really don't see the harm. People are living longer now, and older parents often have more resources....

[LibertyLover]

78. As a parent by adoption

I wholeheartedly approve of adoption. The problem is that at 60, this woman and her husband, unless he were much younger than she, would, in all likelihood, not have been allowed to adopt. My husband and I were in our mid-40s when we married and, knowing that we could not have children, pursued adoption. We were not looking for an infant, but did want a younger child. We were told by our adoption agency that IF, and they stressed the "if", we were permitted to adopt a child in the United States (and I'm guessing that Canada isn't too different) we would have to take a child of around 12 or so, who had been in the child care system a long time and who had multiple problems. I knew that I was up to parenting a child, but not one with multiple problems, so we looked into international adoption and adopted our daughter, aged 16 months, from China. In the group of parents who went over together to bring our daughters home, we had one couple where the wife was in her early 60s, but her husband was 20 years younger than she. They were permitted to adopt a child because of the husband's age. I understand this couple's desire to have a child because I did too. Yes, I adopted, but one of the reasons was my husband's total non-interest in pursuing IVF. As the daughter of a woman who was 45 when I was born, I understand about missing some mother/daughter activities. Yet, even though my mom didn't get on the floor and play with me (something I do do with my kidlet) we did other mother/daughter activities that were equally as fun and whose lessons have stayed with me. I will say that I'm not sure I would be up for parenting a young child, or in this couple's case, 2, at 60, but then again my daughter will be 11 when I'm 60, in 4 and a half years, and about to enter puberty, so I'll have my own interesting parenting adventures. I wish them much luck, good health and strength - they are going to need it.

[dbonds]

8. That is an extremely selfish thing.

[bunnies]

11. word. nt

[Romulox]

13. Agreed. nt

[ShortnFiery]

24. Yes, nothing like 80 y.o. bloated RICH men knocking-up their 30 something trophy brides.

:eyes:

[dbonds]

27. What does that have to do with the price of rice in Spain?

[ShortnFiery]

30. It has EVERYTHING to do with "liberty" and "freedom of choice." Women should be free to choose ...

when to have their children OR not to have children.

Just because it's more feasible and expedient for old men to knock up younger women, WOMEN themselves should be able to choose *when* to have their children.

[dbonds]

35. Sounds like you have a raw wound there.

It is just as wrong for an older man as it is an older woman. I guess you mistook the selfishness remark to mean just the mother, the father is also. People should not be trying to raise children when they are in their 60's, the age gap is too great. You claim it as an option, but just because it is possible doesn't mean it is good.

[ShortnFiery]

41. Tell it to Larry King!

:P

[dbonds]

43. I would, he is just as selfish.

No double standard here.

[ShortnFiery]

45. So are people who are OVERWEIGHT. Selfish? So are people who drink too much. Selfish?

Where does it end with you? Or is it more satisfying to think that we can CONTROL women's fertility with our gossip?

[dbonds]

50. There is this thing called logical thinking where one idea leads to another.

Your response is completely illogical. Not an insult, but it is in no way related or derivative. Nature controls women's fertility and does a good job at it. I did not comment on her fertility though, but having a child past the age of 60. How old are you? Do you have many friends in their 60's. Nature changes people over time, and the 60's and beyond is not a good time to raise children. And remember they will 80 before the kids leave the house.

[ShortnFiery]

66. Science has made "natural" the ability to choose when to have a child.

I know that's troubling to you, but it's NOT illogical. Women, especially successful career women NOW have a choice because they can store their eggs before the age of 40 or 45.

Science not only extends and enriches life but also gives women more choices.

Criticize all you wish, but it's now possible for women to bear healthy children well into their 50s-60s.

God Bless Science. :loveya:

[dbonds]

68. The lack of logic was in your random statements that have no relation to the discussion.

Science doesn't trouble me. I love science. It is a tool. It has no good or bad associated with it. What is done with that tool does have intent, which can be good or bad. But what you are talking here is misusing the tool with selfish intent to have a child outside of the natural range with no concern that the child will not have a parent past teenage years. The child doesn't even become fully adult (30ish) before loosing the parent. That is selfish.

[ShortnFiery]

70. My logic is sound. You just happen to not agree with my opinions.

"Free Choice" or "Selfish" ? It's still not for the self-righteous to decide. ;)

[dbonds]

71. Sorry, but you need to reread the subthread.

You jumped around more than a frog on a hotplate. You haven't made any points, and resorted to name calling. I take you are still young and have a lot to learn. I will leave it at that as you are not conversing by random statements that have nothing to do with the topic. Take care and one day you will understand.

[ShortnFiery]

72. Give it a rest. I have only expressed my sound opinion. You don't like it - that's all.

"Take care and one day you will understand." BACK AT YA! :evilgrin:

[ShortnFiery]

73. p.s. Still young? ROFL ---> I'm 50 y.o.

You think that because you're not "young" that you can DICTATE when people should decide to have children. That's both self-righteous and condescending beyond REASON. Now who's illogical? :evilgrin:

[tigereye]

57. lots of grandparents are raising kids these days -

it isn't easy, but it's quite common. :shrug:

[progressivebydesign]

14. I'm 49 and feel I could still do that, easily. My energy level hasn't changed a bit.

And I'd make a much better parent now. Good for her! Some people's 60 is not the same as everyone else.

[JerseygirlCT]

17. I have friends who feel the same way

More power to them. (They are excellent moms, btw).

And as to those worrying that she won't survive into her kids' adulthood - no one has any guarantees of that, anyway. Actuarial tables mean squat when you deal with individuals.

May she live to a very happy 99 years, full of energy and enjoying her grandkids!

[proud patriot]

74. My feelings exactly

:hi:

[yellowcanine]

32. I think that is naive. You wouldn't know until you were chasing around after a 2 yr old 24/7.

[Zuiderelle]

16. Ack, I would hope to be done with all those eggs by that age.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

21. Women who get pregnant...

past mid 40s tend to use egg donations that have been fertilized with their husbands sperm. The quality of our eggs decreases with age, increasing the risk of nasty birth defects.

Nature in Her wisdom decided women after a certain age simply should not be bearing children. I respect that biological process completely.

[ShortnFiery]

22. Then, we could harvest and store our eggs if we (women) are in the process of building a career.

FLEXIBILITY, it's a beautiful thing. :-)

[Hell Hath No Fury]

46. Flexibility to a point.

I believe in woman's right to determine her destiny, including her reproduction. But, I believe with all my heart, that right also demands 100% responsibility on a woman's part.

Do I think it is responsible for a woman of 59 to undergo fertility treatments in hopes of having a child? No, I do not, not in the least :shrug: (And I am no fan whatsoever of geezer's men like King fathering children when in their 70s.)

I look at my own life and think about what I would have been doing as a 20 year old if I had been unfortunate enough to have been born when my Mom was 60.

Let me put it this way: I wouldn't have had a life of my own. I would have been caring for an aging parent, something I am doing now at 48. And I wouldn't wish that on a 20 year old for anything.

[WriteDown]

23. Nature....

In its wisdom also decided that those carrying cancer should die, sometimes excruciatingly so. Prevents their genes from entering the pool. I take it you are on board with this.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

39. I often wonder about just how far cancer treatments...

and other medical interventions should go. I think there comes a time for a reasonable person to say "enough, I am done". :shrug:

I feel the very same way with fertility interventions. Nature was repeatedly telling this woman she should not be having babies -- for whatever reason. A reasonable person would recognize that at some point (usually long before undergoing fertility treatments at 59) and examine the reasons they would to to such extreme, unnatural lengths to obtain a child.

[Darth_Kitten]

81. Quality of eggs? Think the jury's still out on whether that's actually true.

From what I've read anyways.

[Clear Blue Sky]

19. Better than octuplets I guess...

She will be on Medicare before her kids are in school.

[Megahurtz]

25. Will Social Security

pay for College? :sarcasm:

[yellowcanine]

29. In fact the children will be eligible for SS benefits when the parents are 65.

So yes.

[ShortnFiery]

31. That holds true for both GENDERS (65 y.o.). eom

[yellowcanine]

34. Well yes. Did I say otherwise? "parents" includes the father.

[ShortnFiery]

36. Then feel free to criticize at will, but it's a matter of PERSONAL CHOICE not legislation.

:-)

[yellowcanine]

38. Jeepers - YOU raised the issue of legislation, not me. Cripes.

[ShortnFiery]

40. Sorry, I made that intellectual leap because this is "A Political Discussion" type forum.

I stand corrected. :hi:

[Megahurtz]

52. So you're saying that

underage kids of Parents will get SS benefits when the Parents turn 65? (And we're talking Canadian Law here)

If so, that's bizzare!

(I guess they would have to set it up for all those Seniors that decided to take Fertility Drugs and just pop out a kid just because they want one)

Weird, just weird.

Maybe AARP will pay for diapers. :sarcasm:

Wouldn't these people rather just retire? :wtf:

[yellowcanine]

79. Oh that's U.S. law. I don't know about Canada.

A retired person could also adopt a child and get SS benefits for them.

[uppityperson]

48. Congratulations, wishing for good health for them all. eom

[ConcernedCanuk]

51. Ditto - I suspect she thought this out beforehand, and best wishes for all concerned.

.
.
.

And as a point of interest

I'll add that Canada is NOT reproducing at a rate to maintain our population

So she is definitely NOT creating a population explosion danger

one more point of interest

I'm 58 and childless

Given the opportunity . . .

yup - with the right girl

I'd do it too . .

SO THERE!

[tigereye]

59. if she and the kids were healthy - I guess I don't see the problem, other

than our expectations about when women are "supposed" to reproduce....



maybe I could have another kid, after all! :rofl: (I'm 50, btw.)

[ConcernedCanuk]

61. Hard to say what us humans are "supposed" to do longevity-wise anymore . .

.
.
.

I shoulda died in my teens from appendicitis - probably would have 100 or more years ago

My appendix burst in my sleep when I was 14

I thought it was a tummy ache, mom sent me to bed after giving some pepto-bismol or something like that - Keopectate? - I dunno - -

Screaming with pain at 4am brought my parents running - covered me in blankets and took me to the hospital

where they saved my life

but maybe I was "supposed" to die??

ya know - the survival of the fittest thing

My father died at 95

I quit smoking 2 months ago

Maybe I'll hit 90?

We NEVER know

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

For the new mother

CONGRATULATIONS

And enjoy

[kestrel91316]

49. More pronatalism run amock.

[mitchum]

54. Stray dogs and cockroaches can also reproduce

Why is this "accomplishment" being applauded?

[Megahurtz]

69. Rofl!

:rofl:

[SoCalDem]

58. Good Grief!! I hope this is enough

[awoke_in_2003]

60. Sorry...

the mods prefer chips, salsa, and beer :)

[ima_sinnic]

83. lol!

[eridani]

75. Twins makes more sense than octuplets any old day

Can't complain about maturity either.

[Marrah_G]

76. Incredibly selfish thing to do

[raccoon]

77. Well, I'm close to 60 and wouldn't want to have even one newborn kid.

I wonder if this woman and the Spanish woman have the wherewithal to hire nannies to do the bulk of the child care?

[ecstatic]

82. That's good for her, but I can't imagine having an 80+ year old mom

when I was around 18-21. Haven't they heard? 30 is the new 21. It's likely that she won't be around to see her children through the transition into adulthood.

[JI7]

84. India has population problem and lots of kids without parents

and considering their age , the kids they give birth to may likely end up being one of those kids without parents.