In an incredible feat, a 70-year-old woman, Safina Namukwaya, has given birth to twins through IVF, securing the title of the oldest person to give birth in Africa. The miraculous delivery took place in Kampala, Uganda, where Safina underwent a cesarean section to welcome a baby girl and boy. Despite being a challenging journey, doctors are celebrating the medical success, emphasizing that Safina and her twins are all doing well.
Giving Birth at 70
Safina’s journey to motherhood has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride over the past nine months. She became a mother in 2020, giving birth to her daughter Sarah after struggling with infertility for four decades. Undeterred by the challenges, she opted for additional IVF treatment to bring two more children into the world, resulting in the recent birth of her twins.
However, Safina’s path to motherhood wasn’t without its share of complications. Throughout the nine months, she faced health and personal issues. She even shared that she was no longer in a relationship with the father of her twins. In fact, he didn’t even show up to see his children.
A Medical Success Story
Despite the personal hardships, the medical community has rallied around Safina, celebrating not only the success of the IVF treatment but also the resilience of the human spirit. Safina’s story is not just about overcoming medical odds but also navigating the complexities of relationships and societal expectations. Safina’s journey to motherhood reflects a heartbreaking struggle spanning over 40 years, including multiple miscarriages and the loss of her husband in the 1990s.
Today, she is the proud mother of three healthy children, marking a triumphant chapter in her life. While Safina has secured a place in African history, it’s worth noting that she isn’t the oldest woman globally to give birth. Erramatti Mangayamma, who gave birth to twin girls in 2019 at the age of 74 through IVF treatment in India, holds that distinction. In the context of medical norms, the National Health Service typically offers IVF to women under 43, although private clinics extend services to women in higher age brackets.