In a remarkable milestone, Safina Namukwaya, a 70-year-old woman from Uganda, has become Africa’s oldest new mother after giving birth to twins. The boy and girl twins were delivered prematurely via cesarean section at 31 weeks and are currently in stable condition, receiving care in incubators.
Namukwaya expressed her joy upon learning about her pregnancy with twins during a routine checkup. “When I had a checkup, they told me I had twins, and I was very happy,” she shared.
The successful pregnancy and delivery were made possible through fertility treatment at the Women’s Hospital International and Fertility Centre, where Doctor Edward Tamale Sali supervised Namukwaya’s journey.
“This is an extraordinary achievement, delivering twins to Africa’s oldest mother at 70 years,” stated Dr. Sali, emphasising the significance of this milestone.
Notably, this is Namukwaya’s second delivery in three years, having given birth to a girl in 2020. Dr. Sali highlighted that age should not be the sole factor determining a woman’s ability to bear children. “Age is just a number. A young woman can also die of complications from pregnancy,” he explained. “And an old woman, if she is fit, can also survive.”
Thanks to advancements in medical technology and treatments, women like Namukwaya can now conceive and give birth even after reaching menopause, typically occurring between the ages of 45 to 55.
With the birth of the twins, Namukwaya has achieved the distinction of becoming Africa’s oldest new mother, showcasing the evolving possibilities in reproductive medicine.
This remarkable story serves as a testament to the progress and opportunities available to women who aspire to have children later in life. While it highlights the potential for older women to safely undergo pregnancies with appropriate medical support, it also sparks conversations about the ethical considerations and potential risks associated with advanced maternal age.
Nevertheless, Namukwaya’s journey is a source of inspiration and hope for many, demonstrating that age should not be a limiting factor in pursuing the dream of motherhood.
