Almost 57-year-old woman set to give birth to twins

by Niki Alvey (Subscribe to Niki Alvey's posts) Nov 9th 2004 8:45AM

Categories: Pregnancy & Birth, Medical Conditions

Today, three days before her 57th birthday, Aleta St. James is scheduled to have a boy and a girl, making her the oldest American woman to have twins.

"Of course I had concerns," said Dr. Jane Miller, director of North Hudson IVF, "I am not an advocate of people this age getting pregnant. Just because it could be done, doesn't mean it should be done." However, she said St. James exceeded all the qualifying factors such as excellent health, financial stability and a good social support network.

St. James, a motivational speaker and the older sister of "Guardian Angels" founder Curtis Sliwa, said that she has always wanted to be a mother but was too busy with her career. Now she says she is ready. "When you're older, you have a lot of wisdom," she said. "What you lack in energy, you make up for in wisdom."

I am an "older" mom at 37 and I can tell you some days I would gladly trade some of my wisdom for more energy. I can't imagine being 57 and chasing around twins, can you?

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Comments (16)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

NDPTAL85 12-18-2005 @ 6:57PM

A 57 year old single mother giving birth to twins? I was going to comment that when the twins get old enough that they're going to ask their mom "Why did you think you were too good to include our father in our lives" but then I realized that by the time they are old enough to ask such a question she'll either be dead from old age, in a nursing home or halfway through alzheimers.

Its amazing how self centered these "New Age" folks can be. Everything has to be for them and for the right now with little empathy and forsight for how their actions may affeect others (like in this case, her twins).

Tanager 12-18-2005 @ 6:57PM

I agree - I'm a 37 year-old mom also, and would love to have more energy. I'd love to have another child, also, but it's just not fair for me to do so. An accidental pregnancy in marriage when older is one thing, but this is something else entirely...choosing to deny these kids a father, and being old enough to be their grandmother. It's just wrong.

Linda Corcoran 12-18-2005 @ 6:57PM

I became a mom of identical twins at age 37 and a half. My son was just three and a half. It was definitely a huge and life-changing surprise. I later found out that the biggest explosion of multiples are born to mothers between the ages of 35 and 39; I was right in the middle. I can tell you it's an experience like no other. You no longer have any time for yourself. They are now 11 and I realize they're always going to be a handful. Doing it at 57? I just can't imagine.

Charlotte, NC 12-18-2005 @ 6:57PM

I just recently turned thirty seven and am pregnant with girl/boy twins. These are my first children. I applaud this lady for her accomplishments and for fulfilling her dream. I believe she owed it to herself. I figure she must have arranged to have help with the children. Money isn't everything, but it will help tremendously in this situation. Imagine a 57 year old woman that is not finacially stable having twins. Not only would it wear on her physically, but mentally as well. The stress alone of worrying about how to care for the children would make it that much more difficult for her. I hope someone keeps up with this story maybe two years down the line. I would be interesting to see how she is fairing.

Nicola 12-18-2005 @ 6:57PM

According to CNN Ms St James is not the oldest woman to give birth to twins --

"Judy Cates gave birth to twin girls December 9, 1998, when she was 57. The oldest woman ever to have a baby is believed to be Arceli Keh of Highland, California, who was 63 when she gave birth in 1996."

niki alvey 12-18-2005 @ 6:57PM

Good catch, Nicola. Thanks.

At first, CNN, The Daily News and all other news stories said St. James was the oldest. Now we know that...

"St. James will not be the oldest woman in the United States to have given birth to twins. Judy Cates, of California, gave birth to twin girls December 9, 1998 at 57. Currently the record for the world�s oldest mother is held by Satyabhama Mahapatra of India, who was 65 when her first child was born in April 2003. The oldest mother of twins is Janet Bosher of Great Britain, who had her twins at 58 in September 2002."

Lela Neisler 12-18-2005 @ 6:57PM

What matters how old the mother is? You don't live your life with your mother. I have 5 children, and 4 of them were born between ages 35-41, so I know about being an "older mother." Children have a life of their own, and they are NOT yours to keep.
What I don't understand in this situation is why she didn't use her brother as the sperm donor, so these children would have been her blood relatives, since the eggs came from a donor outside her family. At least the children would have had contact with their biological father.

Niki 12-18-2005 @ 6:57PM

This mom is 16 years older than you when you had your last child. That is a huge difference. With a life expectancy of less than 75, odds are she won't even live long enough to see her kids graduate high school.

No the kids aren't yours to keep forever, but kids do "need" their moms when they are growing up, esp if the mom is the only parental figure they have.

It took me a moment to get over the "eww" factor about using her brother's sperm, until I remembered she used donor eggs :).

Nicole 12-18-2005 @ 6:57PM

Regarding Lela's comment that "you don't live your life with your mother"...it *is* nice to have your mother around for events like your wedding, the birth of your own children, etc. Just because one is grown up doesn't mean one doesn't need a mother around for advice, etc.

Margaret 12-18-2005 @ 6:57PM

I would love to have a baby even at my age (47) I have 4 children all in 20's now, my 2nd husband is without child and I would love to be a part of that love with him having a baby. money stop's me that's all. Money may not be everything, but it is when it comes to me having a baby in a pennyless situation.

shirley buehler 12-18-2005 @ 6:57PM

there are no guarentees in life. I lost my father when he was only 38 years old. recently I lost my beloved only neice at age 19. I am 55 yrs. old, very healthy, single, and would love to have a child of my own. I have asked my brother about using his sperm,I don't have a sister. all I need now is an open minded dr. who could appreciate my life long dream.

Jane 12-18-2005 @ 6:57PM

Use sperm from a brother? Considering the towering odds of having a baby with profound birth defects when a woman is in her 50s,is she wise to compound it with the defect risks that come with inbreeding? Time for a reality check.

niki alvey 12-18-2005 @ 6:57PM

Jane, she used donor eggs, so her brother's sperm would not have increased her chances for birth defects, but would have given the kids genetic material from her family.

Chris 12-18-2005 @ 6:57PM

I am a very healthy, young (looking and acting) financially stable 58 y.o. and am considering having a third child. Both my children (in their 30's) are busy executives with very hectic lives -- lives that don't seem to have the time or the inclination for a grandmother who wants to be an integral part. I am STARVED for an outlet for my innately loving, caring and nurturing personality. I'm uneasy about fostering a child -- I was in foster care as a pre-teen, and it was very traumatic. I'm not sure I could be effective with children who were facing huge emotional challenges to begin with. I'm generally considered too old for adoption (have looked into it). If I did have a child at 59, that child would have a very large support network within our nuclear family. I currently have 5 grandchildren under the age of six and one on the way. I'd appreciate your comments and feedback.

hadey 12-18-2005 @ 6:57PM

I am a 21 year old with two children,and as much as i love my babys and would not swap being a mum for any thing i dont think i could cope with being pregnant at my age let alone 57.I dont think any one over the age of 40 should bring another life into this wourld esspacily with all the comlications and disabilitys these day with older woman geting pregnant.I think it is rather selfish,but that is my opinon.

Jessica 12-18-2005 @ 6:57PM

This is a comment for Shirley Buhler. Does your brother know you want to use his sperm? How does he feel about you wanting to have a baby using his sperm. Is your family genetic material that important to you, that you would risk the child with birth defects. What would you tell the child when they got older. "Your father is my brother" Do you know how bad that will screw up a child, metally. If it was a life long dream why did you not have children earlier in your life. I agree with Jane, TIME FOR A REALITY CHECK.

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