Faith Nyasuguta
In a groundbreaking development at a fertility center in Kampala, Uganda, a 70-year-old woman named Safina Namukwaya has given birth to twins through IVF treatment.
The joyous occasion involved the delivery of a boy and a girl via caesarean. Ms. Namukwaya, now one of the oldest women to undergo such a pregnancy, described the experience as nothing short of a “miracle,” echoing the sentiments of the hospital, which celebrated the event as not just a “medical success” but a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit.
The Women’s Hospital International and Fertility Centre (WHI&FC) proudly announced the extraordinary achievement on its Facebook page, emphasizing the significance of delivering twins to Africa’s oldest mother.
The hospital reported that the delivery took place on a Wednesday just after midday, reassuring the public that both mother and babies are in good health.
However, behind this remarkable feat lies a story of personal challenge and determination. Ms. Namukwaya shared with Uganda’s Daily Monitor newspaper the difficulties she faced during her pregnancy, revealing that her partner abandoned her upon learning about the twins.
She expressed the societal stigma attached to carrying more than one child, highlighting the lack of support from her partner.
This marks Ms. Namukwaya’s second delivery in three years, having given birth to a baby girl in 2020. Motivated by societal expectations and a desire to have children after enduring mockery for being childless, she embarked on this unconventional journey of late-in-life motherhood.
The report raises questions about the specifics of Ms. Namukwaya’s fertility treatment, particularly whether she used a donor egg or one preserved from her earlier years.
Advances in medical technology, including in-vitro fertilization (IVF), have provided avenues for women to conceive even after menopause, expanding the possibilities of motherhood.
While Ms. Namukwaya’s story is a testament to the evolving landscape of reproductive medicine, it also sheds light on the social challenges and personal sacrifices intertwined with such groundbreaking achievements.
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