Brave Women Who Dared to Give Birth and Become a Mom after 60

Motherhood is a challenging yet enriching experience that requires bravery and resilience. Despite the many joys that come with being a mom, it is not for the faint of heart, and the stories of these 11 mothers prove it.

From pregnancy's physical and emotional demands to the sleepless nights and day-to-day struggles that come with caring for a child, motherhood can be pretty overwhelming. For older moms, the challenges can be even more difficult.

Moms of advancing ages often have a unique strength that gracefully helps them rise to the occasion. Let's look at 11 incredible women and their stories of perseverance in welcoming a child past their 60s and 70s. They are a testament to the astonishing power of motherhood.

11. Mom Defends Her Right to Have Another Child at 63

Many women choose to have children later in life, balancing their maternal roles with the obligations of their careers and personal life. They may also have to cope with physical and emotional changes due to their age. One such mom was Patricia Rashbrook.

The psychiatrist from England had two kids from a previous marriage but fell pregnant again with her second spouse, John Farrant. She underwent fertility treatment and gave birth to a healthy baby boy in 2006—she was 63 at the time.

The decision to have another baby was extensively considered, and Patricia did not take it lightly. She had the best interests of her child at heart and shared:

"A great deal of thought has been given to planning and providing for the child’s present and future well-being, medically, socially and materially."

The mother was excited to spend time with her son, Jude, and longed to raise him in peace. Everyone did not understand her choices, but she ignored the naysayers and knew she could be the best mom for her beloved boy.

10. 64-Year-Old Welcomes Twins, Not Her First Pregnancy at an Advanced Age

A Spanish woman welcomed a healthy baby when she was 58, and a few years later, she had more children. To everyone's surprise, she was expecting twins and had a healthy pregnancy. Dr. Enrique Martin shared:

"She showed up four months pregnant at the gates of our hospital and all we could do was face the situation and react."

The mother sought IVF treatment in America and was 64 when she had the twins. She was thrilled after welcoming a precious baby boy and girl via C-section in 2017. Her case was described as "exceptional," but not everyone was happy for her.

While Spain had no laws prohibiting age limits for assisted reproduction, treatment for those over 50 was discouraged. Women like the Spanish mom of three are often questioned and shamed.

However, moms of all ages care deeply for their little ones. The unconditional love they have for their kids is unparalleled. They give up their own time and energy to ensure the safety and well-being of their little ones, no matter the cost.

9. Grandma with 13 Kids Becomes Pregnant at 65 and Welcomes More than One Child

Annegret Raunig is no stranger when it comes to motherhood. She welcomed 13 kids and never said no to the challenges and sacrifices of raising a child. The German woman was a grandmother when she decided to have another baby.

Her youngest little girl wanted someone to play with, so Annegret pursued an IVF procedure in Ukraine. She had no idea that it would lead to four more babies! The grandma was pregnant with quadruplets at 65.

Annegret received lots of negative comments because she would be 70 when her little ones started school. Despite the differing opinions, the English and Russian teacher was excited to welcome sons Dries, Bence, Fjonn, and daughter Neeta in 2015.

Shunning criticism, she said her precious children kept her young. The mother of 17 added:

"You can never know what will happen ... It's up to each individual to decide when they become a parent."

8. Romanian Woman Becomes a Mother for the First Time at 66

Adriana Iliescu experienced one of life's greatest joys in 2005. She became a mother! The professor and author had a healthy pregnancy and couldn't wait to hold her baby girl.

The significant milestone meant the world to her, and she was grateful. Giving birth at 66 was challenging and required IVF treatments. The struggle was worth it, and all her worries melted away when she held baby Eliza Maria for the first time.

The Romanian mom carried twins, but one of the girls did not make it. She was immensely thankful that Eliza Maria survived the pregnancy. Adriana spent nine years hoping her fertility treatments would be successful.

While people called her "selfish" for having a baby at 66, and she faced hurtful public rejection, the mother always had faith in God and believed she would bear a child.

7. Chinese Woman Pregnant at 67 without Modern Medical Interventions

A woman identified by her surname, Tian, left people speechless when she conceived a child at 67. She didn't undergo IVF, but as a retired doctor, she used traditional Chinese fertility methods to fall pregnant.

She gave birth to a little girl in 2019 at the Zaozhuang Maternity and Child Health Hospital. Tian and her child spent time in the intensive care unit but were given the all-clear a few days later. Tian named her child Tianci which meant "gift sent from heaven."

The woman was a grandmother when she gave birth, and her two grown kids opposed her pregnancy. This didn't stop Tian and her husband from welcoming their newborn.

The couple was stunned by their doctor's findings. Tian's physician, Liu Wencheng, shared:

"During the C-section, we found that Tian’s ovaries were just like the ones of a 40-year-old woman. They hadn’t shrunk like a 60-year-old’s ovaries would have, which might explain how she got pregnant naturally."

6. 68-Year-Old African Woman Finally Welcomes Baby after Years of Trying

A Nigerian woman who underwent three rounds of IVF got the miracle she had been waiting for. Margaret Adenuga, 68, and her husband, Noah Adenuga, 77, defied the odds and welcomed not only one but two babies at an advanced age.

The coupled married in 1974 and never gave up on their dream of having kids. Their long-awaited hopes were met in 2020 when Margaret gave birth to twins via C-section.

The medical team knew Margaret's pregnancy was high-risk, so they were prepared and happy she carried her infants to the 37-week mark. The couple was thrilled and proud to be the parents of an adorable little boy and girl.

5. After Four Decades 70-Year-Old Woman Welcomes Her Miracle Child

Rajo Devi Lohan is a one-of-a-kind Indian woman. She gave birth to her first child at 70! After welcoming her precious daughter in 2008, Rajo Devi was called the oldest first-time mom.

For the happy mother, Naveen Lohan was a gift from God after 40 years of waiting. Her life was not easy, and she became known as someone who could not have kids. Thankfully, she learned of an IVF clinic nearby, which made all the difference.

Rajo Devi's pregnancy was challenging, but she persevered, displaying her true grit and determination to have a baby. She was grateful to have carried her child and excited for their future. The mother shared:

"I am strong. I used to work 12 hours every day in the fields. The doctor told me I have the strength of someone half my age. Even when I am 80, I will be able to catch Naveen if she runs away."

4. Doctors Warn 70-Year-Old about Pregnancy Risks, but She Perseveres

A Gujarat, India, woman left people stunned when she fell pregnant. The 70-year-old was passionate about her desire to be a mother and didn't think twice when the opportunity arose.

Doctors administered IVF treatment and were in awe of Jivuben Valabhai Rabari's courage and positive attitude. They warned her about the many risks of having a baby at her age, but she was not dismayed.

The medical team was surprised when the sonography showed signs of a regular heartbeat. They monitored the pregnancy closely and delivered Jivuben's baby boy in 2021 at the eight-month mark.

Both mother and child were happy and healthy! The smile on Jivuben's face showcased her genuine joy and excitement about embarking on the journey of motherhood for the first time.

3. An Indian Woman Is One of the World's Oldest First-Time Mothers

In 2016, a woman from India was called one of the oldest to give birth. Daljinder Kaur became a mom for the first time when she welcomed her son Arman with her 79-year-old husband, Mohinder Singh Gill.

The pensioner couple were married for nearly 50 years and always wanted children. Daljinder was reportedly at least 70, but her exact age was unknown because she had no birth certificate. Regardless, the mom felt blessed to have a little one to call her own. She expressed:

"I had lost hope of becoming a mother."

After two years of fertility treatments, Daljinder almost gave up, but faith kept her going. While people encouraged her to adopt, she continued believing she would bear a child.

The waiting was worth it, and the couple was happier than ever. People had lots to say about their decision to have a child at such an advanced age, but Mohinder was not upset by the critical comments. He trusted God to take care of the details.

2. 74-Year-Old Welcomes Twins Via IVF

Mangayamma Yaramati and her husband, Sitarama Rajarao, became the happiest couple on earth in 2019. Mangayamma underwent IVF treatments to make her dream of having a child a reality.

The proud new mom welcomed twin daughters after a pregnancy that was well-monitored. Meeting her girls was the best day of her life. Thankfully, she and her daughters recovered well and had no complications.

Becoming a mother meant the world to Mangayamma, and it changed her life forever. She explained that being childless in her Indian community was like sinning. Finally, she felt free from the guilt.

Though some have questioned how Mangayamma and Sitarama will be able to care for their children, it is essential to recognize that the couple made a decision that makes sense to them.

1. Pensioner Gives Birth at 75 and Becomes "World's Oldest Mother"

A tiny tot entered the world at 30 weeks in Rajasthan, India, unaware of how unique her birth was. She was conceived via IVF, making her mother's dreams come true.

Prabha Devi tried to have her own baby for years and eventually adopted a child with her husband. However, her desire to bear an infant never went away. Despite being 75, Prabha didn't allow her age to stop her from falling pregnant.

She managed to carry the baby for a few months, but medical professionals chose to do an emergency C-section a few weeks early. The baby showed signs of complications, and the doctors did not want to take any risks. Their practitioner, Dr. Abhilasha Kinker, stated:

"We conducted Doppler sonography and found there were complications in her pregnancy, so we decided to deliver the child through C-section. She had already carried the child for over six months, which was very surprising for her age."

Prabha and her 80-year-old husband were emotionally overcome when they met their little one, and they were happy she was in a stable condition.

Prabha suffered health concerns, but she was also making progress, and the turmoil and challenges were worth it. After her unbelievable pregnancy, she was called the "world's oldest mother" in 2019!

Older mothers deserve to be applauded for their strength and courage! They have so much wisdom and life experience to draw from that helps them to be better, more informed mothers.

Remarkably, these 11 women were able to become mothers at such an advanced age. We wish them and their families the best of luck as they embark on this precious journey!