Woman aged 75 thought to be 'world's oldest mother' after giving birth to baby following IVF

A 75-year-old woman is thought to have become the world's oldest mother after giving birth through IVF to a baby girl.

Prabha Devi gave birth by caesarean section to a daughter at Kinker Hospital in Kota, Rajasthan, on Saturday night.

The baby, who weighed a tiny 1lb 5oz, was rushed straight into intensive care and put on a ventilator immediately after the birth.

The newborn had to be delivered prematurely after just 30 weeks because her elderly mother, who has only one working lung, was physically weak.

The pensioner and her 80-year-old husband already have an adopted child but wanted to have their own so turned to IVF.

Dr Abhilasha Kinker, gynaecologist and obstetrician who delivered the baby said: “Prabha Devi had come to our hospital four to five days before the delivery.

“We found there were complications in her pregnancy so we decided to deliver the child through Cesarean section.

“She was ill and old and we couldn't take chances with her and the child's life. She had already carried the child for over six months which was very surprising for her age.

“If we had not delivered the baby, she might have died in the womb.”

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The doctor went on to say she could not verify Mrs Devi's age as the mother did not bring any identification with her.

Dr Abhilasha added: “She told us her age but showed no proof. She looked between 72 and 75. Her husband told us he is 80. It was surprising for me.

“Her age was a factor and then she was ill. She has one collapsed lung so it was a very challenging operation."

Though the baby’s mother has been discharged her daughter is staying at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the hospital where the doctors are monitoring her condition.

"She is at neonatal intensive care unit. We are monitoring her. The mother cannot feed her unless she gains weight, said Dr Abhilasha.

"She needs to be at least 3.3lbs to be allowed home from hospital. She is stable and recovering fast."

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Last month it was revealed that a couple had become the world’s oldest parents after giving birth to twin girls.

Erramatti Mangayamma, 74, and her husband Raja Rao, 78, successfully delivered two healthy babies on September 5th.

The pair tried to conceive throughout their marriage until they successfully underwent IVF treatment from Ahalya Hospital last year.