70-Year-Old Woman Gives Birth to Twins Following IVF
A 70-year-old woman in Uganda has defied expectations by giving birth to twins through IVF. The joyous event, hailed as a “miracle” by Namukwaya, underscores the remarkable strides in fertility treatments and challenges conventional notions surrounding age and childbirth.
By Richard Cole · December 3, 2023
Kampala, Uganda - A 70-year-old Ugandan woman, Safina Namukwaya, has given birth to twins, describing the joyous occasion as nothing short of a “miracle.” The historic birth took place on Wednesday at the Women’s Hospital International and Fertility Centre in the capital city, Kampala, where Namukwaya had undergone fertility treatment.
Dr. Edward Tamale Sali, a fertility specialist at the center, revealed that the procedure involved in-vitro fertilization (IVF), utilizing a donor egg and the partner’s sperm. This extraordinary achievement marks the delivery of twins to Africa’s oldest mother at the age of 70, according to Dr. Sali.
The premature birth occurred at 31 weeks, and the newborns, a boy and a girl, are currently receiving care in incubators at the hospital. The fertility centre celebrated the “historic event” on its Facebook page, featuring a video interview with the elated mother and her doctor.
Namukwaya, who resides in the rural area of Masaka, expressed her disbelief and joy, stating, “There is no way to express my joy at this moment.” The 70-year-old mother previously gave birth to a girl in 2020, challenging societal expectations surrounding age and childbirth.
However, amidst the celebration, Namukwaya voiced concerns about her partner’s absence, noting that he had not visited her since the delivery. Speculating on his reluctance, she said, “Maybe he is not happy that I delivered twins because men don’t want to know you are carrying more than one child in a womb for fear of maybe responsibilities that come with that.”
Arthur Matsiko, spokesman for the Women’s Hospital International Facility Center, reassured the public that Namukwaya is in good health, having delivered the twins via cesarean section. The hospital, led by a prominent gynecologist in the East African region, specializes in assisting couples struggling to conceive.
Namukwaya’s story echoes a similar case in 2019 when a 73-year-old woman in southern India gave birth to twin girls following IVF treatment. Breakthroughs in IVF research continue to contribute to improved success rates, offering hope to couples facing challenges in conceiving.