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Re: Mother at 63 Let The Debate Begin!From: Susan (anonymous@obgyn.net)Fri, 25 Apr 1997 22:25:54 -0500 (CDT)
At Fri, 25 Apr 1997, Roberta wrote: > >I saw this on the Doctors forum and couldn't pass it up. Looks like an >interesting topic to hash over (it's raining and I'm looking for some >excitement). > >In Los Angeles, a 63 year old previously nulligravid woman apparently >tricked the ART program >at USC into donor IVF fertilized by her 60 year-old husband. The age >limit was apparently 55 >and she let them believe she was 50. She became pregnant on the second >cycle. At about 12 >weeks gestation she revealed her true age to her obstetrician. Her >pregnancy was complicated >by diet controlled diabetes and hypertension treated with bedrest. She >delivered by cesarean >in November of 1996 at 38 weeks a 6#2oz baby. She is now believed to be >the oldest woman >ever to have given birth. > >I thought the whole thing was pretty bizzare but then someone pointed >out that Tony Randall, who is older than dirt, (I loved that one)just >had a baby and he is being portrayed in the media as a stud. > >However, We could point out that in TR's case mom is 28 and presumably >will be around long after they're visiting dad at Forest Lawn. > >But, how would we feel if the shoe was on the other foot and Mom was 78 >and dad was 28? > >It can be argued that TR was still able to impregnate the young mother >so it was "natural" while the reverse would be impossible without the >IVF program. But you could then use that argument against anyone that >receives IVF. > >Make some coffee and put on your thinking caps girls. > >My final conclusion is that it is an isolated case and although >provocative, it will hardly be the norm. So we really don't have to get >ourselves too worried. The fact is that most 63 year old women do not >want to have babies even if the opportunity was available. > >If you really want some chuckles I'll go get the ad hoc David Letterman >style Top Ten reasons why it' not a good idea to have a baby at 63, >list. But you have to promise me you'll take it in the sprit of fun and >not flame me. I'm having a difficult week and I cant take any >rejection. ;-) > >Any comments? > >Have a good morning, >Roberta > >-- >Roberta F. Speyer Founder of OBGYN.net >President and CEO roberta.speyer@obgyn.net >Elecomm Corporation http://www.obgyn.net >1900 West Koenig Lane (512) 451-2842 >Austin, Texas 78756 (512) 377-5626 FAX > Dear Roberta (and all), Are we really debating the woman's right to chose again? How many times must we revisit this issue of whether or not women should be able to chose what, when, and how to do things with their bodies? OK, 63 is a bit old to think of raising a child in most people's eyes. When most of us are grappling with our own mortality, this wonderful woman is becoming a mother for (if I understood the news reports) the first time. I, for one, think it is great and more power to her. We can debate all day the wisdom of having a child when both parents are in their 60's (who will care for the child if they pass away before she is grown, etc.), but that is not the real issue here. The real issue is that a woman made an unconventional decision about her own fertility, interestingly enough with her husbands consent and knowledge, and society has judged her, at best, strange. The issue of whether or not to have a child, when to have one, and how is very personal. We have so many young women and teens giving birth to babies that they did not plan and do not want, and yet we are quick to condemn a couple who have obviously spent considerable time planning for and making the decision to become parents. If they were in their 30' we could call them wise and responsible. Since they are in their 60's, and this is so unusual, we call them odd and (possibly) irresponsible. Women should not only have the right to chose to have children or not, but also the right to take advantage of the latest technologies to realize their decision. To deny them this opportunity is to rip open the Roe -vs- Wade issue all over again. That's been done, and it seems that women have spoken. Let this woman, and any other who may chose this path, make her own decision and leave her to enjoy an enriched life with her new, and obviously very loved, little girl.
-- Susan Boyles
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