Woman gives birth at the age of 57 and becomes one of the oldest mothers in US history

by Alison Forde

April 05, 2021

Woman gives birth at the age of 57 and becomes one of the oldest mothers in US history
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Becoming a mother in old age? Yes, indeed, even if the medical and scientific literature underlines how at a certain age it becomes an increasingly infrequent natural process, and sometimes difficult or even dangerous for the woman who carries the little one. For this reason, there are many mothers who give birth to children by following more unsual paths, such as in vitro fertilization, circumnavigating the difficulties of becoming pregnant by natural means at an advanced age.

via NBC Boston

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Channel 5 Boston/YouTube

Channel 5 Boston/YouTube

This is the incredible story of Barbara Higgins, a woman from New Hampshire in the United States who gave birth to a child at the age of 57; in doing this, Barbara became one of the oldest mothers to have given birth in the medical history of the United States of America. The woman had already had two children before, however she had tragically lost her 13-year-old daughter to a malignant brain cancer and that had devastated Barbara and her husband Peter.

Despite their somewhat advanced age, the two had decided to try again to have a third child, but in order not to risk a dangerous pregnancy, they turned to a specialized clinic in Boston that dealt especially with the cases of women over 50 who wanted a child of their own by using in vitro fertilization.

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Channel 5 Boston/YouTube

Channel 5 Boston/YouTube

And so, on March 20, 2021, Barbara Higgins gave birth to a baby boy named Jack; In doing so, the American woman broke all maternal seniority records in New Hampshire and became one of the oldest mothers ever recorded in US history. There are those who congratulated the dream that came true for this couple, those who instead argued that bringing a child into the world at this couple's age may be irresponsible. The woman is 57 years old and time will pass very quickly for both the child and the mother who is on the way to the third age. How will this affect little Jack growing up?

Barbara however responded to the criticism with these words: "Nobody gives birth to a child and knows for sure that they will be alive to see him grow up. I don't know what I'll be like in 10 years, but what will you be like in 10 years? And why shouldn't we bring Jack into the world just because I'm going to get old?"

Channel 5 Boston/YouTube

Channel 5 Boston/YouTube

Regarding physical strength and endurance, for Barbara at least, there is no problem, despite her age. She did Crossfit and lifted weights on a regular basis until the day before her Jack was born: lucky her!

What a record mom!

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