You probably read that a 66 y-o Romanian woman has had a baby after receiving fertility treatment.

Anyone have a view on this? For instance, is it wrong that a woman in her sixties should receive this kind of treatment? Or perhaps it's right that she has the freedom of choice to do it?

I feel sorry for the baby - their mother could very well be dead by the time they get to high school!

I feel sorry for the baby - their mother could very well be dead by the time they get to high school!
I take your point, but then, a man can father a child until death, and sadly, parents die all the time leaving children behind. I don't think that is the issue here.

To me the issue is being physically and mentally able to cope with raising a child, it's hard work when you're young and fit, and as you get older you don't have the physical strength to run around after a child. However, what you do have is a much greater tolerance - I am a much better 'parent' as a Gran than I was a Mum. My Grandkids come to me with problems to talk about rather than their parents because I have more patience and understanding - maybe that's through experience (which this woman won't have), or just a mellowing.

If this woman has help in the home then I don't see why not, many Grandparents have raised Grandkids through family deaths, and succesfully, My husband was one, and his Mum (Gran) lived til she was 95, saying that it had actually kept her younger, and he says he had the best upbringing.

I think we should wait and see how she does before judging, she may astound everyone. I am a bit younger than this woman, but I still feel I would love to have another baby, I won't (can't), but for some that maternal instinct never dies. She could end up making a better mother than someone half her age, and she could live for another 30+ years too.

Its disgusting. Totally selfish, me me me and no regard for the needs of a child. How can a woman in her 60s cope with the sleepless nights, boistrous two year old behaviour etc and the embarrasment of the child having a crone like thing collecting him/her at the school gates - children like to be alike. The word is over populated as it is, it should not be allowed. So there!

Personally I am amazed at ANYONE who decides to give birth............regardless of age!

I do feel that at 66 it may be a little old to bring up a child - you would be hard pushed to find someone to give you a Mortgage if you were over 65!!!

I am 40 and feel that I am too old for babies (that and the fact I dont really like children :shock: ) I suppose I do have the added bonus that I am a step ma, so I will get the glory of being a step granny, without the trauma of child birth!

Having said all of that, I am a very "live and let live" type of person, so I dont feel I can judge this woman, after all, I dont know her or her circumstances......

it isnt something I would choose to do and I would advise my close friends and family against doing something like this - to me it is interferring with nature, and that is something I do feel strongly about - what will be, will be....everything happens for a reason.......and all that hippie malarkey :D

and the embarrasment of the child having a crone like thing collecting him/her at the school gates - children like to be alike.
So, at what age are we all gonna be "crone like things"? Should we live that long of course.

For me it's the ethical question of whether she should have received fertility treatment. I agree with Queenie that it is an attempt to go against nature - nature doesn't intend women in their sixties to have children, and to use medical science this way is in my opinion a complete misuse of it and should not be allowed.

So, at what age are we all gonna be "crone like things"? Should we live that long of course.
Well if my younger sis is anything to go by........she told me to "hurry up and drop one otherwise when you go to pick your kids up from school, the other kids will think you are their granny".......I was about 34 at the time :angry: I think she was joking though :unsure: :laugh:

But aren't we all going against nature via medical help every day? Think about that!


I know where you're all coming from, well, most of you, but why not wait and see how she does cope with this? I am just not pre-judging, it hasn't happened before so none of us know where this will go. I am not saying she was right - more a case of it's done now, and for both her and the childs sake I hope it works out....but it will be tough, if for no other reason than the media will be ready to pounce if either of them even sneezes.

But aren't we all going against nature via medical help every day? Think about that!


I have thought about that. Not all medical intervention is wrong, but I think you have to draw the line somewhere and to give fertility treatment to a woman of that age is in my view the wrong side of the line.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eternity
But aren't we all going against nature via medical help every day? Think about that!



I have thought about that. Not all medical intervention is wrong, but I think you have to draw the line somewhere and to give fertility treatment to a woman of that age is in my view the wrong side of the line.
I have to agree with my "learned friend" SF here......

you do have to weigh up all of the "pro's and con's" and in this instance, I do feel that the idea for any woman who is "past" childbearing age to receive fertility treatment is wrong.....

also, fetility treatment has been available for many years, if her desire to have a baby was that great, why did she not choose to do so while she was younger? I suppose I am a little more "clinical" about it as I have never experienced those desires......

I totally agree!! But, from what I've heard this woman has been trying for many years to have a baby. Personally, I think the instigators of this IVF are horribly wrong, I would put the 40's as the latest time for any IVF treatment. What I am saying is, it's done, it can't be changed, and I really hope this woman copes with the result and gets the help she needs, if only for the childs sake.


Just because she is in her 60's does not mean she's old and frail, she's about the same age as Germaine Greer, and she could be in much better nick than Germaine for all we know!

Oh and BTW, I started the menoapuse at 36 and was past childbearing age then, in fact I have been taking HRT since then - 24 years now, and I am fitter than my kids! :laugh:

Oh and BTW, I started the menoapuse at 36 and was past childbearing age then, in fact I have been taking HRT since then - 24 years now, and I am fitter than my kids! :laugh:
My aunt started the menopause in her 30's too........but at 36, you would have been in a better position health and age wise to have fertility treatment if thats the way you wanted to go...... when I posted the bit about being "past childbearing age" I was referring to the more common menopause age group, which is generally 50+......

I still cant get my head round it to be honest - but as I said before, I have never had the desire to give birth myself - you would think that at 66 you would realise just how hard it is to be a parent and run a mile from it :laugh: Ohhh im a selfish old witch arent I!!!

:laugh: Ohhh im a selfish old witch arent I!!! (Queenie)



I'm saying nothing!!!! :devil: :laugh:








**I'll get me coat then?**

:laugh: Ohhh im a selfish old witch arent I!!! (Queenie)



I'm saying nothing!!!! :devil: :laugh:








**I'll get me coat then?**
:laugh: didnt take YOU long to suss me did it chick!?!?!?!? PMSL

Well when this broke I had a wee think to myself - and you know what?? I thought good on yer woman, aged or not - if she wanted children and had been trying for many a year, and things had not worked out the way she wanted it - then at least she has been given the opportunity to have a child.

Admittedly her age is well against her, in terms of longevity with the child, but who says that someone of that age can not be as sprightly as a much younger woman??

Statistically, older people in general, need less sleep than younger models - and therefore sleepless nights for 18 months or so are not going to interfere with the lifestyle of someone in her 60's.

She is a professor of some sort in Romania and by definition not a stupid woman, needy perhaps, selfish perhaps but not stupid - and I can only imagine that she has a well constructed lifeplan for her and her child.

I do question, however, the ethics of giving fertility to women of that age in general - and I doubt it would happen in the UK - but the deed is done and we have to live with it.

I know psychologically I am too old for more babies, not pshyiscally by any stretch, but I get the odd yearning for another baby sometimes so strong. they are only momentary yearnings - but I could not imagine having them 24/7 and if I did I would be off to seek the means to have another [Mr F has had the snip!].

I get the odd yearning for another baby sometimes so strong. they are only momentary yearnings - but I could not imagine having them 24/7 and if I did I would be off to seek the means to have another .

Well if you're ever in Haslemere ...

Well if you're ever in Haslemere ...
LMAO - well if that is the quality of chat up lines in Haselmere - I shall give it a wide birth .... so to speak!!:wink2:

LMAO - well if that is the quality of chat up lines in Haselmere - I shall give it a wide birth .... so to speak!!:wink2:

Well, OK, but bear in mind my rates are very reasonable and as a friend of the family I'd give you a generous discount.

flipsville...for once I am going to totally disagree with you.

I certainly don't think "good on ya". I think " you selfish cow beyond belief".

Having a child is not an expectation, it is a gift ..if it dosn't happen its a huge shame (I know a few couples who this has happened to).

People, in my opinion, like this woman are only thinking of themselves and their needs, not giving a thought to a very embarassed 14 year old with her 80 year old mother.

It will be a shame on the child/person that will be with them for ever.

I am a woman...I accept that there is a time scale to do things..if I havn't done it by then ....TOUGH!.

I am a woman...I accept that there is a time scale to do things..if I havn't done it by then ....TOUGH!.

I agree Cat, Nature does things for a reason.

well I would rather an old crone have a baby that the umpteen 14 year olds that are breeding like rabbits!


I do wonder tho, specially given where she lives, that she could not have adopted a baby.

M

Does is disturb anyone else that the mother looks like Samantha's lesbian lover from Sex and the City?

Just me then.

cheerio!

Does is disturb anyone else that the mother looks like Samantha's lesbian lover from Sex and the City?

Just me then.

cheerio!


LOL, that's just what I thought Scoobs! :laugh:

I thought Sonia Braga had been quiet lately...

I find it odd, but we can't control who has children. She is probably a far better potential mother than a lot out there. The fact that she wanted a baby so much means she is more likely to give her baby lots of love. There are drug addicts and weirdo's out there having children every day.

For all we know, she could live to 90, that is old enough to see her kid above 20. Yes it is not ideal, but she may have a young partner or a strong family network where in the event of her dying the child would be well taken care of. I could die tomorrow and I am only 23 but have 2 kids...

My sister and her husband cannot have children so they are going through the adoption process. This means assessment, assessment, assessment, assessment, screening, assessment etc etc 2 year period of assessment for a young, healthy, financially stable couple to adopt a child. A woman in her 60's is,by law and social norm, approaching retirement. Physical changes have happened that end productivity. As I understand, this woman is a lone parent. If this was a natural process I would think nature had gone haywire and wonder what the cause of this was. This is unnatural ie requires a helping hand. Do you respond to a request with yes because someone had the money or someone wanted to experiment? Ethically, this does not satisfy my sense of justice on a number of levels. I say good luck for the child. I have a feeling, the child may need it.

I think this topic raises a very important question

Where do we draw the line with science?

In this case I think science has got it wrong. Having lost a child I understand the drive in me to have children a little better than before. But I understand that need must be balanced with the life chances for that child.

If the body could take having children throughout life why would we have the menopause. I think its natures way of drawing the line. Sometimes it draws it a little early, but in this case this wasnt so.

I take on the point that many people who make terrible parents are having children. I wish it wasnt happening as children deserve the best chance possible. But this is why we should make sure we are using medical advances in the right way.