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Home › Relationships

Elizabeth Adeney: Pregnant at 66? | 05/19/2009 7:55 am

66-Year-Old British Woman Elizabeth Adeney to Become Country's Oldest Mom

Woman says she never planned to get all this international attention for trying to conceive a child; some experts worried.
By The Staff at wowOwow.com
© Shutterstock

Are you ever too old to have children?

British mom-to-be Elizabeth Adeney, who runs a plastic-fastenings factory, is said to be eight months pregnant after traveling to the Ukraine for a $15,300 in-vitro fertilization treatment, reports Sky News. Great news for her!

But here’s the kicker: She’s 66 years old and will be Britain’s oldest mom. Needless to say, she’s getting quite a bit of attention around the globe for her feat — and not all of it is positive.

Although some fertility treatment experts are concerned over what Adeney is doing, the Lidgate resident says she feels only 39 and has the energy of women a third of her age and, frankly, it’s really none of anyone’s business.

"I don’t have to defend what I’ve done. It’s between me, my baby and no one else," she told The Daily Telegraph. "I don’t expect anyone else to understand it. I’m not even asking them to … I’m amazed that the fact I am having a baby at all is interesting to anyone."

Read more about: Britain, Elizabeth Adeney, England, Fertility, In-Vitro Fertilization, Infertility Treatments, News, Pregnancy, Pregnant at 66, World

24 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

C Hardy
She is 66 but feels younger and has energy!  Good for her but she is 66 and when she is 76 her child will only be 10 and when she is 86 her child will only be 20…To put that child through the aging process, is that fair?  Who are we to say?  I feel bad having a child when I was in my 30’s….couldn’t imagine doing it in my 60’s…
By C Hardy on 05/19/2009 8:07 am
DeBúrca obj
I had a baby at 44, however I did it naturally with no assistance from science. In fact it was just one month of trying and bam, my son was on the way and thank goodness, arrived beautiful and healthy after a very normal pregnancy and a 2 hr. labor! Also I can say that at 44 I was in great shape and health and felt about 30. But once a woman reaches the age that the only way to have a baby is through artificial means, maybe she should consider that nature is telling her something.
By DeBúrca obj on 05/19/2009 8:08 am
HA BIBI

I love the way she said it best!

 

I don’t have to defend what I’ve done. It’s between me, my baby and no one else."  "I don’t expect anyone else to understand it. I’m not even asking them to … I’m amazed that the fact I am having a baby at all is interesting to anyone."

By HA BIBI on 05/19/2009 8:38 am
C Hardy
E…it is her choice and yes its none of our business but at 66, having a child is hard at any age but harder at 66.  I mean what if she gets Altzheimer’s and she forgets things, is that fair to that child to have to go through that?  My hubby is 29 and his Dad is 77 and growing up it was hard on my hubby b/c everone thought his Dad was his Grandfather and made fun of him…I would just hate to see that to any child.  Kids are mean.
By C Hardy on 05/19/2009 10:07 am
HA BIBI
Well C,  I’m of the nature that doesn’t live my life on "What if’s" I mean anyone can get any aliment but we don’t stop living because we live our lives always asking "what if"? rather, we  keep on living our lives "As if" and cross the bridges that may arise in life, at the time we arrive at them. This woman obviously feels fit and healthy enough to have this child, a child that she truly wants. Therefore, if she feels fit and want’s it, then as she says she simply doesn’t care what the rest of us may think. C, kids are mean because kids are not taught to be mannerable, not because someone is old. This is a perfect case of parents teaching their children that other parents fail at teaching their own children to have manners, and that just because they lack them, it is no reason for you to feel bad because your dad is older. That’s what I as a parent would have taught my son had that been the case. Teaching your children selfesteem and pride in who they are and what is truly important in life is the most important lessons we can give our children so that when ill-mannered children and adults come around, we are not hurt nor embarrassed and can hold our heads up with pride and dignity. 
By HA BIBI on 05/19/2009 11:08 am
C Hardy

E if we all lived our lives by ‘what if’s" none of us would have been born…I guess this article just doesnt give a lot of information.  Is there family that in case something happens to the Mother that this little child is taken care of?  That is what I am saying…We know there is no father but is there a hubby?  Having a child at any age is hard, you know that, but at 66, its going to be even harder.

Yes it does bring up that parents should teach their kids manners but you know, some kids are just mean, manners or not.  I know kids who yes ma’am and no ma’am and hold doors for you but when they see another fat kid or any other kid with somethign wrong, they make fun, the parents get on them but they do it anyway.  Kids are kids and they are mean when they see something out of their normal. 

I am not knocking this lady for having the child b/c it is her decision but at 66 I feel for the child.  I pray they have at least 30 years together if not more!  GOD willing!

By C Hardy on 05/19/2009 1:28 pm
HA BIBI
That’s the "What ifs" I’m speaking of. If is the biggest word in the world and when it is stated that "What if" something happens to the mother? Well C, what if she got hit and killed by a car as opposed to old age, etc…….The list could go on and on and these are things that can happen in life and can happen at any age so why should this woman who feels fit, healthy, and able to have this child, sit around worrying about all the "What ifs" in life…….She shouldn’t. And as I stated earlier, we cross those bridges when we get to them. We deal with the twists and turns that life doles out and I personally would like to believe that most people are capable and willing to deal with those issues. We also know there are no guarantees in life but we plug along, trusting that the sun will rise the next morning. I can’t speak for others children but, can for my own, they both were taught manners as was proved by all those that love them, because they took heed of their lessons on how to treat others given them by their parents, which proved true and correct. I know that you were not knocking this lady for her decision to have a child at her age, we just have to keep in mind based on her own words, that she feels strong and healthy and she too is suprised that anyone would care about her having this child. I believe the real issue she is trying address is the fact that there are people who are going to speculate as to why she has, at her age choosen to have a child and this is why she stated such. And in all honesty, I agree with her and am just happy for her that here is a woman who truly wants this child.
By HA BIBI on 05/19/2009 2:51 pm
Diana T
Well, I’m 66, soon to be 67, and all I can say is that I’m glad it isn’t me. 
By Diana T on 05/19/2009 8:39 am
f p
No kidding—whoever in their right mind would want a child at that age—utterly ridiculous.
By f p on 05/19/2009 9:38 am
Diana T
GrandChild Emily was born on Dec. 18, ‘97, her mom’s 35th birthday.  I remember that she was a Busy Baby, and was over here a lot after Bill died the following September.  I could spend 2 hours with her and would have to go sit down; babies are never still.  And, they deserve as much quality time as we can give them.  Now, that Emily is 11,  she still gets lots of quality time from all of us attending her activities, shopping, talking, etc.  Doesn’t any kid deserve an active parent that can keep up with them, if possible, and give them the attention they require?  And,  I don’t mean just physical, but attention from the heart, being involved,  accepting them for what they are, and especially being tuned in to their generation?  The historical gap is much too wide, in addition to the fact that this woman probably won’t live to see the child get to the age of majority. 
By Diana T on 05/19/2009 10:35 am
S G
Diana I agree. A child deserves someone who will be around for a long time. I think men or women this age shouldn’t be having children. It is so unfair to the child. My Uncle by marriage was quite older ( not this wide though)  he passed away and never got to see her graduate or walk her down the isle at her wedding years later. Where will this child go when the women passes. Most likely she won’t be there for the life milestones. A child deserves to have that chance.
By S G on 05/19/2009 2:39 pm
Diana T
I hate to judge somebody like that, SG.  Surely, the woman knows all these things and has an appointed legal guardian.  But, I wonder, why.  Why have a baby instead of adopting?  And, is this fulfilling some sort of self serving wish?  Hard to say, but a child needs all we can give of ourselves. 
By Diana T on 05/19/2009 5:43 pm
Barbara B

I’m in my sixties and Diance said it best better her than me.  I feel at that age it’s a little selfish because of the chance of not being around for that child.  Every day I’m glad I’m alive that is how vunurable I feel sometimes with my aches & pains.  But hey it’s her life so in that she is right it’s not our business.  Hope all goes well with the delivery & health of the baby

By Barbara B on 05/19/2009 8:46 am
caj p
I personally think it is way to old to have a baby, it seems very unfair on the child as it’s Mother will seem like it’s Grandmother!   The child will not have much in the way of a child/mother relationship in it’s early years as regards to stamina and maybe doing things a younger mother would want to do.   There’s no way at her age she can possibly keep up with a teenager and all the things they may like to do and would like her to do as well, just seems so ridiculous and not been thought out properly for long term issues.  Still, it’s her choice but not one I would want at that time of life.
By caj p on 05/19/2009 9:06 am
L. C.

This woman is selfish and egotistical! … I feel sad for the kid! … Men have children late in age however it’s usually with women of child bearing age who give birth naturally! …  Children born to older mothers are said to have a greater chance of being born retarded and with birth defects! …True it’s none of our business lady! … I pray you live long enough for your child to know you!

On the positive end the child is getting 2 for 1, a mother and grandmother! … I truly wish them both the best!

By L. C. on 05/19/2009 10:13 am
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