Annegret Raunigk, a mother of 17, made headlines worldwide when she revealed that she had undergone fertility treatment and was expecting quadruplets at the age of 65.
Her situation has sparked a mix of admiration for her determination and perplexity about how she will handle raising children at her advanced age.
Annerget has 17 children at the age of 65.
A 65-year-old woman from Germany has achieved a remarkable feat by giving birth to quadruplets through artificial insemination. Annegret Raunigk delivered three boys and a girl via Caesarean section.
What’s truly noteworthy is that Annegret Raunigk, who already had 13 children and seven grandchildren, now holds the title of the world’s oldest woman to have given birth to quadruplets. Her journey into the spotlight began when the media broke the extraordinary news of her quadruple pregnancy. At that time, she shared that her decision to expand her family was primarily motivated by her youngest daughter, who, at the age of nine, expressed a strong desire for a little brother or sister.
She was shocked to know she was pregnant with quadruplets.
Raunigk, whose oldest daughter is 44, initially expressed her astonishment when doctors first informed her of the quadruplet pregnancy. Nevertheless, she was resolute in her decision not to reduce the number of embryos and faced the challenge with unwavering determination.
She stated, “I’m not actually afraid. I simply assume I’ll remain healthy and fit. In matters of organization I have enough experience, that’s not new for me.” Notably, Raunigk had already garnered headlines a decade ago when she gave birth to her 13th child, Lelia, at the age of 55.
During an interview with reporters, she shared her perspective, saying, “At first, I only wanted one child. Not all were planned. But then things happen. I’m not a planner but rather spontaneous. And children keep me young.”
Many people criticized the woman, accusing her of being irresponsible.
Raunigk faced accusations of irresponsibility because she will be over 70 years old when the quadruplets reach school age. However, she has chosen to dismiss the criticism, asserting, “You can never know what will happen. Things can also happen to you when you’re 20. It’s up to each individual to decide when they become a parent.”
During her pregnancy, she consistently expressed the belief that everyone should have the freedom to live the life they desire. When asked about any concerns, Ms. Raunigk reiterated her confidence in maintaining her health and fitness, emphasizing that she was not preoccupied with the opinions of others.
Not all clinics offer IVF for older women, often for social reasons.
Doctors mention that not all clinics provide IVF treatment to women over the age of 50, primarily due to social reasons. “We have to consider the welfare of the child when making a decision,” says a doctor. It’s ultimately left to individual clinics to determine whether a woman, who at the age of 65 might reasonably expect to live for another 20 years or so, should be eligible for treatment.
“There is no regulation that says you can’t treat a woman older than a certain age. There is no upper age, but you will need to take into account the welfare of the child,” doctors add.
While Annegret Raunigk holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest woman to give birth to quadruplets, she is not the record holder for the oldest mother. A woman from India broke new ground by giving birth to her first child at the age of 70, defying expectations and breaking down barriers.
