42 years into marriage, woman gives birth to girl

It was their friend’s successful delivery of a baby boy at the age of 60 that motivated them to not give up, Krishnan said. “Despite having tried and failed for so many years, that success story pushed us to undergo the treatment,” he said.

Within a year into their marriage, the couple had come to Chennai for treatment, which failed. “We kept trying but all our attempts failed. Doctors at our native were unable to diagnose what the problem was. Having a child was something we were determined about; that we could not was very painful,” said Senthamilselvi, visibly overjoyed while holding the girl child she delivered on May 21.

Though this has brought much joy for the couple, there were a lot of risks involved. “She had already reached menopause 10 years ago. But she was desperate to have a baby in spite of her age. After preliminary diagnosis, we found that the patient was suitable to become mother. However, during the treatment, it was found that she was a diabetic. So she was treated for it before the IVF was started,” said Dr D Senthamarai Selvi, MD and Chief Infertility Specialist of the Centre.

“She was put through extensive psychological and medical counselling before preparing her for the procedure. For the past two years, she underwent specialised infertility treatment, during which, a combination of IVF and embryo transfer procedure were done successfully.” Following a series of investigations and tests that lasted for months, the couple entered the high-risk pregnancy, with Senthamilselvi kept under continuous supervision by a team of medical experts. She eventually delivered a healthy 3.25 kg baby girl.

“I have never seen the couple this happy. Senthamilselvi has been unable to stop smiling ever since she held the baby in her arms,” said their family counsellor Dr Jansi Rani. Now, the couple is busy getting ready for the child’s naming ceremony that is to be held at Gopichettipalayam this Sunday.

As the couple and the fertility centre celebrated the success of the birth of the baby girl, many have questioned the impact it can have on the child in the future.

Stating that the nutrition and care of the child could be compromised, Dr Sampath Kumar, member of the Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), said, “As the baby grows, her parents will age. They may not be able to provide the child with the right care – something which the child would need from her parents. The education and attention that the child would need may also get affected.”

Questioning the care the child would get a few years later, counsellor P Nilam added, “Not only should such couples be counselled on the health implications of such a decision, they should also be told about the possibility of it affecting the child. Though a personal choice, such decisions should be completely thought through. It can even affect her child’s social life, with the possibility of her school friends taunting her.”

Studies have also indicated a link between olderparents and prevalence in autism among kids. “There have been a few studies that showed that a father’s DNA may account for about 15 per cent of autism cases. 

However, a study that was done a few years ago in Indiana had found that the increased risk for children of fathers older than 45 years