German Grandmother, 65, Gives Birth To Quadruplets

By Jethro Mullen

www.cnn.com 

german3 resized 600For many people, 13 children would be more than enough.

But not for Annegret Raunigk.

The 65-year-old German grandmother recently gave birth to quadruplets, making her the oldest woman ever to do so.

The new arrivals increase her progeny to a total of 17 children. And let's not forget her seven grandchildren.

Raunigk, a single mother, gave birth last week to three boys and one girl after a pregnancy of just under 26 weeks, the German broadcaster RTL reported. 

The newborns -- whose names are Neeta, Dries, Bence and Fjonn -- were delivered by C-section and are being kept in incubators for premature babies, according to RTL.

Daughter wanted a younger sibling

Raunigk, a teacher from Berlin, made headlines 10 years ago when, at the age of 55, she gave birth to a daughter, Leila. And it was apparently Leila's plea for a younger sibling that encouraged her mother to try again.

"I myself find life with children great," Raunigk said earlier this year. "You constantly have to live up to new challenges. And that probably also keeps you young."

To become pregnant, she used in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment with donated eggs that were fertilized.

One doctor tried to persuade her to abort one or two of the fetuses, but she refused to consider it.

Indian woman holds record

Raunigk, who had her first child at 21, is still not the oldest woman to give birth.

That record is held by Rajo Devi Lohan, an Indian woman who at 70 became the world's oldest known first time mother after three rounds of IVF.

Her daughter Naveen will turn 7 later this year.

What are your thoughts about this story?

Recent Posts

Nursing: Leading the Charge for Healthcare Diversity
Diversity in healthcare is essential for ensuring fair treatment and enhancing patient outcomes. Among healthcare professionals, Nurses have emerged as champions for diversity, leveraging their...
Read More
Nurses Take the #1 Spot on Gallup’s Annual Poll for 23 Years Straight
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Three in four Americans consider nurses highly honest and ethical, making them the most trusted of 23 professions rated in Gallup’s annual measurement. Grade-school teachers rank...
Read More
How to Transition from Bedside Nursing to Leadership Roles
The journey from bedside Nursing to leadership can feel like a leap into uncharted territory. However, with the right mindset, preparation, and strategy, this transition can be both fulfilling and...
Read More

Subscribe to Email Our Newsletter

Education_Award_Square