It is believed that with age, the ability to procreate decreases. Usually the childbearing age falls on those years when we still have the strength and time to tinker with children. But scientific and technological progress has long learned to reverse the laws of nature.
Recently, the world was shocked by the news: a 101-year-old Italian woman gave birth to a 4-kilogram baby after an ovarian transplant. Some doctors criticized this case because the woman decided to have an ovarian transplant, conception and childbirth at an unsuitable age for this.
The transplant operation was performed by Dr. Alexandro Popolicci in a private clinic in Turkey — such procedures are illegal in the European Union.
The mother, Anatolia Vertadella, calls the birth of her 17th child Francesco «proof of the Lord’s power.» According to her, she felt that God had punished her by striking her with ovarian cancer at the age of 48, when she already had 16 children. But now God has given her back the gift of childbirth.
Dr. Popolici says that no one has the right to judge a woman. Anatoly, according to him, gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby, for whom one can only thank God. The doctor says that in a world where many children are born accidentally or are not needed by anyone, you need to be happy for a baby who will have a big loving family.
Vertadella’s husband died back in 1998. She found a sperm donor via the Internet — this is a 26-year-old Catholic, which was fundamental for a deeply devout mother.
She does not expect that the father will somehow participate in the upbringing of the child. She confesses her love for her late husband and says that she will remain a widow until her death. Pregnancy, she said, was necessary for her to carry out the highest plan.
This is not the first time that a woman gives birth at such a venerable age. Before that, the oldest mother was Malegwale Ramokgopa from South Africa, who was born in 1839 and became the mother of twins in 1931 — at the age of 92!
And how do you feel about the mother’s decision? Tell us in the comments!