How old is the oldest person to ever get pregnant? A look at late-life motherhood

In 2019, an Indian woman named Erramatti Mangayamma made headlines for giving birth to twin girls at the reported age of 74, making her potentially the oldest person to ever get pregnant and give birth. Her case, achieved through in-vitro fertilization (IVF), shattered previous records and brought renewed attention to the biological and ethical considerations of late-life motherhood.

Quick Summary

The world's oldest mother to give birth was Erramatti Mangayamma, who was 74 when she had twins via IVF in 2019. The oldest natural pregnancy was recorded at age 59, with most post-menopausal pregnancies requiring donor eggs. Pregnancy after age 35, known as advanced maternal age, carries increased risks for both mother and baby. Significant medical advancements have made older pregnancy possible, raising important ethical and health-related debates.

Key Points

• Oldest Confirmed Mother: The oldest person to give birth was Erramatti Mangayamma, an Indian woman who had twins via IVF at age 74 in 2019.

• IVF vs. Natural Conception: The record for the oldest mother is held by someone who used IVF with donor eggs. The oldest confirmed natural pregnancy was to a 59-year-old British woman.

• Age-Related Decline: Natural fertility significantly declines after age 35 due to decreasing egg quality and quantity, making natural pregnancy extremely rare after the mid-40s.

• Health Risks Increase with Age: Pregnancy at an advanced maternal age carries a higher risk of complications for both the mother and the baby, such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.

• Ethical Considerations: The increasing possibility of late-life pregnancy through technology has sparked ethical debates concerning the health risks and the ability of older parents to raise children to adulthood.

• Monitoring is Key: Medical professionals typically increase monitoring for older mothers to watch for conditions like high blood pressure and potential fetal abnormalities.

• The Uterus Ages Differently: Unlike a woman's eggs, her uterus can often be receptive to a pregnancy much later in life, making IVF with donor eggs a viable option for post-menopausal women.

Who is the world's oldest mother?

The title of the oldest person to ever get pregnant and give birth is held by Erramatti Mangayamma, who delivered twin girls via Caesarean section on September 5, 2019. At the time, her doctor stated she was 74 years old, though some initial reports suggested she was 73. Mangayamma, who had been married since 1962 and was childless, turned to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to conceive. Her case involved the use of donor eggs fertilized with her husband's sperm.

This record-breaking birth was both a personal triumph and a subject of intense global discussion, reigniting debates surrounding the ethics of assisted reproductive technologies for women of advanced age. Despite the successful delivery, her husband passed away from a heart attack the following year, highlighting the unique challenges faced by older parents.

Other notable late-life pregnancies

While Mangayamma's record is specific to assisted reproduction, other remarkable cases exist for both IVF and natural conception:

• Safina Namukwaya (Uganda): In November 2023, this 70-year-old woman gave birth to twins, also via IVF.
• Daljinder Kaur (India): In 2016, she reportedly gave birth at age 72, though her age at the time was debated.
• Maria del Carmen Bousada de Lara (Spain): She had twins in 2006 at nearly 67 years old after lying about her age to receive IVF treatment. She unfortunately died from cancer less than three years later.
• Dawn Brooke (UK): In 1997, she became the oldest known person to conceive naturally, giving birth to a son at 59.
• Barbara Higgins (USA): In 2021, she delivered a son at 57, a rare example of natural pregnancy at an advanced age.

The difference between IVF and natural conception

It is critical to distinguish between assisted and natural conception when discussing these records, as the biological processes and implications are vastly different. Natural pregnancy relies on a woman's own eggs, which diminish in quality and quantity significantly with age, particularly after 35. In contrast, IVF, especially with donor eggs, circumvents this biological barrier by using healthy, younger eggs, allowing the uterus to carry a pregnancy even after menopause.

Feature	IVF with Donor Eggs	Natural Conception
Egg Source	A younger donor provides healthy eggs.	Woman uses her own eggs.
Age Factor	Allows for pregnancy in post-menopausal women.	Extremely rare after age 45 due to diminished egg quality and quantity.
Medical Intervention	High level of medical assistance required.	No intervention required, though medically complex for older women.
Genetic Link	No genetic link between the mother and baby.	Genetic link between mother and baby.
Record Holder (Oldest)	Erramatti Mangayamma (74)	Dawn Brooke (59)

Health considerations of advanced maternal age

Pregnancy at any age carries risks, but the likelihood of complications increases with advanced maternal age (over 35). These risks become particularly pronounced in women over 50. Health professionals closely monitor older mothers for potential issues that can affect both the mother's and baby's health.

Key health considerations for older mothers include:

• Increased risks of pregnancy complications: This includes a higher chance of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), and the need for a Caesarean section.
• Placental abnormalities: Older mothers have an increased risk of placental problems, which can affect the baby's growth.
• Higher risk of miscarriage and stillbirth: Both miscarriage rates and stillbirth risk increase with maternal age.
• Increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities: The chance of having a baby with chromosomal conditions like Down syndrome is significantly higher when using one's own eggs. This risk is mitigated when using younger donor eggs.
• Postpartum recovery: The period after childbirth, known as the "fourth trimester," requires careful monitoring, especially for older mothers who are at higher risk for complications like blood clots.

The future of late-life pregnancy

As fertility technologies continue to advance, the upper age limit for pregnancy has become a topic of significant ethical and social consideration. The ability of a healthy uterus to carry a pregnancy long after menopause challenges traditional biological boundaries. While a person's age does not automatically disqualify them from a successful pregnancy, the discussions increasingly focus on a holistic view of the parents' health, life expectancy, and ability to raise a child to adulthood. Ethical guidelines, such as those from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, discourage embryo transfer for women over 55, citing concerns about maternal and fetal safety and the demands of raising a child.

Ultimately, the stories of record-breaking mothers highlight the power of modern medicine and human desire. However, they also serve as a reminder that these decisions come with significant medical and ethical complexities that extend far beyond simply achieving a pregnancy.

Conclusion

The answer to "how old is the oldest person to ever get pregnant?" is Erramatti Mangayamma, who gave birth at 74 using IVF technology. The oldest known natural conception was at 59. These remarkable cases, while inspirational for some, highlight the critical distinction between natural and medically assisted pregnancies and the significant health considerations involved. Advancements in reproductive technology have pushed the boundaries of what is possible, but they also necessitate a thoughtful conversation about the medical risks and ethical responsibilities that accompany later-in-life motherhood.

References

• This woman just became the world's oldest mom (at age 74) | Advisory Board
• Erramatti Mangamma - Wikipedia
• Oldest mother to conceive naturally | Guinness World Records
• What Is the Oldest Age a Woman Can Get Pregnant Naturally? | Dr. Joseph Roofeh
• 66-Year-Old Gives Birth to 10th Child: ‘No Difficulty Conceiving’ | Newsweek
• Geriatric Pregnancy: Pregnancy after 35 - WebMD

Frequently Asked Questions

Who holds the record for the oldest mother to give birth?

Erramatti Mangayamma, an Indian woman, holds the record for the oldest mother to give birth. In 2019, she delivered twin girls via cesarean section at the reported age of 74 after undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

What is the oldest a woman has gotten pregnant naturally?

The oldest recorded natural conception was by Dawn Brooke from the UK, who gave birth to a son at the age of 59 in 1997. Another well-documented case is Barbara Higgins, who gave birth at 57 in 2021 without fertility treatments.

How does IVF allow for late-life pregnancy?

In-vitro fertilization (IVF) enables late-life pregnancy by using donor eggs, bypassing the natural decline in egg quality and quantity that occurs with age. The recipient's uterus is generally capable of carrying a pregnancy even after menopause, making conception possible with medical assistance.

What are the health risks for an older mother?

Older mothers face increased health risks, including a higher chance of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, miscarriage, stillbirth, and needing a Caesarean section. The risk of chromosomal abnormalities also increases, especially when using one's own eggs.

Is late-life pregnancy a new phenomenon?

While reports of older mothers have existed for centuries, the possibility of late-life pregnancy has dramatically increased with advancements in assisted reproductive technologies like IVF. This has led to more frequent news of women in their 60s and 70s giving birth.

Do doctors have an age limit for fertility treatments?

Some medical associations, such as the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, have ethical guidelines that discourage embryo transfer for women over 55, though clinics may have their own varying policies. Concerns typically center on maternal health risks and the long-term well-being of the child.

Is it responsible to have children so late in life?

The responsibility of having children later in life is a complex ethical and social issue with differing viewpoints. While modern medicine can facilitate such pregnancies, critics raise concerns about the parents' life expectancy, the potential impact on the child's development, and the child's long-term care.