70-Year-Old Single Mom Miraculously Gives Birth to Twins, Expresses She “Feels Great”

Among the myriad human experiences we encounter, some stories emerge as truly extraordinary. Today, we present Safina Namukwaya’s remarkable tale. Becoming a mother at the age of 70, she has become an inspiration to the entire world. Safina serves as a testament to the belief that age is merely a number.

The remarkable event.

A historic moment unfolded in Uganda as a 70-year-old woman, Safina Namukwaya, etched her name in history as the oldest African woman to give birth. She joyfully welcomed healthy twins, a baby boy and girl, delivered through a cesarean section. The conception itself was made possible through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) at the Women’s Hospital International and Fertility Centre in Kampala. Born at 34 weeks, Namukwaya’s twins each weighed 2 kilograms.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the hospital shared the remarkable achievement on Facebook, highlighting not only the success of medical intervention but also the indomitable strength and resilience of the human spirit. The post reassured that both the babies and the mother were in good health, marking this event as a testament to the advances in medical science and the enduring spirit of human determination.

For Safina, age is just a number.

Namukwaya, already a mother to a 3-year-old daughter, expressed her joy in an interview, stating that she felt great. Despite potential concerns about her age, she emphasized that while some might argue that 70 years is old, destiny had decided that she would have twins at 70. She perceives the birth of her babies as a miracle.

As a mother of three, Namukwaya utilized in vitro fertilization (IVF), relying on donor eggs and her partner’s sperm due to her advanced age. She shared the challenges faced during the pregnancy, including being abandoned by the children’s father. Namukwaya mentioned that men often fear the responsibility of fathering twins, and her husband did not show up at the hospital during her delivery. Safina shared that she has a supportive network in her rural village in Uganda to assist with childcare and household tasks.

The doctor expressed concerns about Safina’s case.

Dr. Sali, Safina’s fertility specialist, endorsed her wish to expand her family, viewing her pregnancy as her fundamental human right and emphasizing her physical fitness. Previously stigmatized as a “cursed woman” for not having children until 2020, Namukwaya is challenging societal expectations. Dr. Sali’s son, Arnold Ssali, pointed out that in African culture, having a larger family is highly valued.

Despite the successful birth, concerns have been raised about potential pregnancy complications for a woman of Namukwaya’s age, including gestational diabetes and other health risks. In the United States, for example, the upper age limit for IVF and assisted reproduction is generally in the mid-50s, with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine discouraging embryo transfer in women over the age of 55. Dr. Brian Levine, a practice director at a New York City fertility clinic, criticizes the situation, deeming it irresponsible. Dr. Levine warns about the potential consequences for both the mother and the children, highlighting the elevated risks associated with advanced maternal age.

How her pregnancy was possible.

Men retain their fertility from puberty until the end of their lives. In contrast, women have fertility from puberty to menopause, with a usual decline about a decade before reaching menopause. Women typically release one egg per menstrual cycle until menopause begins. Therefore, Safina had to depend on donated eggs; otherwise, it would be nearly impossible. Dr. Edson Borges Jr explains that there’s a distinction between gestating and reproducing: theoretically, any woman can become pregnant if the uterus is functioning properly.

By the way, Safina is not the first woman to become a mother at the age of 70. In another article, we shared the story of a resident of an Indian village who also gave birth at the same advanced age, and for her, it was her first child.