Rio de Janeiro - A 61-year-old Brazilian woman gave birth to twins, the Brazilian news website G1 reported on Thursday.
According to the report, the babies, who are to be named Sofia and Roberto, were born late on Tuesday in Santos, a port about 100km away from Sao Paulo. The babies were born prematurely at 31 weeks, weighing only around 900g each, but they were in good health, the report said.
The mother, Antonia Leticia Asti, had some blood pressure issues, but was recovering well.
Obstetrician Orlando de Castro Neto, who delivered the babies, told G1 that Asti and her 55-year-old husband had had artificial insemination three times over the past decade to realise their dream of having children and were also frustrated in their attempt to adopt.
This time around, they resorted to the insemination with sperm that had been frozen.
“I'm very happy. I was able to realise my dream of being a mother. I thank God and the doctor,” Asti said. She stressed that age will not be an obstacle for her to raise the children.
“I feel excellent. I have a lot of strength to take care of them. I don't feel 61, I think my date of birth is wrong!” she joked.
Castro Neto said there were no serious problems with the pregnancy, adding “age did not come into it”.
“We have overcome some social prejudice. This is a reason for hope for women over 40,” he said. - Sapa-dpa