66-Year-Old Woman Gives Birth to 10th Child Without IVF
A 66-year-old woman in Germany has made headlines after giving birth to her 10th child on March 19. Alexandra Hildebrandt, the mother, shared with TODAY.com that she conceived naturally without fertility treatments or medical intervention.
The baby, a boy named Philipp, was delivered via cesarean section at Charité Hospital in Berlin. Weighing 7 pounds, 13 ounces, Philipp was declared healthy upon birth. He now joins his nine siblings: Svitlana, 46; Artiom, 36; Elisabeth, 12; Maximilian, 12; Alexandra, 10; Leopold, 8; Anna, 7; Maria, 4; and Katharina, 2.
“A big family is not only something wonderful, but above all, it is important for raising children properly,” Hildebrandt, a museum director, wrote in an email to TODAY.
A Natural Pregnancy at 66?
When asked about possible concerns from family and friends regarding her pregnancy at 66, Hildebrandt stated, “I have only received positive feedback.”
She maintains a strict healthy lifestyle, abstaining from alcohol and smoking, and has never used contraceptives. “I eat very healthily, swim regularly for an hour, and walk for two hours daily,” she told German newspaper Bild.
Her OB/GYN, Dr. Wolfgang Henrich, described her pregnancy as “largely uncomplicated,” which is remarkable given the biological challenges of conceiving at such an advanced age.
Dr. Brian Levine, a fertility expert from New York City, weighed in on the rarity of natural conception at 66, citing the “incredibly low” biological likelihood. He noted that pregnancies at this age pose significant health risks, including hypertension, gestational diabetes, and preterm labor. Additionally, the risk of chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome, rises considerably with age.
However, Levine acknowledged that if Hildebrandt has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), she might still have occasional ovulation, making conception theoretically possible.
Other Late-Age Pregnancies
This isn’t the first time an older woman has defied medical expectations by giving birth. In 2023, 70-year-old Safina Namukwaya from Uganda welcomed twins through in vitro fertilization using donor eggs and her husband’s sperm.
“Some might argue that 70 years is old, but God decided that I get to have twins at 70,” Namukwaya told TODAY through an interpreter. “There is no one that can put a limit on God’s authority and power.”
The Changing Landscape of Parenthood
As more women challenge traditional timelines for motherhood, trends in other industries, such as vaping, continue to evolve. The rise of innovative flavors like Lost Mary Vape and Raz Vape products has reshaped consumer preferences. Similarly, Geek Bar vapes have gained popularity among adult consumers seeking a modern nicotine experience.
While the world debates the boundaries of science and natural miracles, one thing remains certain: life continues to surprise us in unexpected ways, whether it’s through groundbreaking medical cases or emerging lifestyle trends.
