Woman Gives Birth to First Child at 50 after Struggling with Infertility for Years

A couple had been trying to have a baby for nearly 13 years, but their preexisting health issues complicated things. They started seeing fertility specialists, but many of them refused to help a 61-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman.

Becoming parents is every couple's dream, but realizing this dream can sometimes come at a considerable cost. A North Carolina couple had no idea they would have to embark on a decades-long journey to welcome their child.

Susie and Tony Troxler wished to embrace parenthood with all their hearts. The two tied the knot "later in life" in 2008 but assumed they would get pregnant like most couples.

THE TROXLERS

Susie is a psychologist in Greensboro and her husband Tony works at Cone Health. The couple, who has been married for 13 years, shared that they didn't notice at first something was wrong. Susie also added:

"But when it got to be nine, 10, 11 years, we were like, something is up, and we're not sure what it is (sic)."

The couple then began wondering why they hadn't conceived. They started seeing fertility specialists, but many doctors refused to help a 50-year-old woman, given Susie and Tony's preexisting health conditions.

DIFFICULTY IN BECOMING PARENTS

Susie had uterine fibroids and the age factor. Becoming pregnant after 35 is risky and can result in complications like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and multiple congenital disabilities. Her 61-year-old husband also had medical issues.

Several medical experts told the Troxlers that becoming parents at their age was challenging and almost a "no." However, the couple refused to give up. They finally met an OB-GYN, Dr. Carolyn Harraway-Smith, who agreed to help.

In January 2019, Susie's fibroids were surgically removed. Then began the egg retrieval process in 2020, which left the couple hanging at first because the IVF treatment was delayed due to the pandemic.

THE MIRACLE BABY

When they began with the implantation of the fertilized eggs, things didn't seem to work with the first few of them. Soon the couple was left with their last option, which they decided to go forward with, and surprisingly, it worked.

In February 2021, the Troxlers received the happy news - they were expecting. Their miracle baby, Lily Antonia Troxler, was born on September 29, 2021, weighing 5 lbs and 12.08 oz.

At 50 and 61, respectively, Susie and Tony had finally become first-time parents and had a little princess to take care of for the rest of their lives. Lily was delivered through a planned C-section and came out healthy and happy.

LIFE WITH LITTLE LILY

Tony expressed "it was amazing and surreal" to embrace fatherhood for the first time. The couple is now in the process of dealing with sleep deprivation as Little Lily keeps them up during late hours. Regarding his 2-month-old daughter, Tony shared:

"I actually cherish those moments at three in the morning, when I’m sitting there rocking her and she’s sitting there looking at me with those bright eyes, not the least bit sleepy."

Despite many doctors telling them otherwise, the couple shared that they had faith they would become parents one day, whether it was through natural means, IVF, or adoption.

Fortunately enough, the Troxlers would be celebrating this Thanksgiving, the coming holiday season, and many other festive occasions with their sweet little angel as first-time parents.