72-Year-Old Daljinder Kaur Becomes a First-Time Mother, Sparking Ethical Debates
As advancements in fertility treatments continue to enhance both success rates and accessibility, new ethical dilemmas emerge. One striking case is that of Daljinder Kaur, who became a mother for the first time at 72—making her the oldest woman ever to give birth to her first child. Her husband, Mohinder Singh Kaur, was in his 80s at the time.
The Kaurs had long dreamed of having a family but struggled with infertility for most of their lives. Thanks to medical advancements, they were finally able to conceive through IVF. However, this raises critical questions: Is it ethical to bring a child into the world at such an advanced age? For Daljinder to see her child reach adulthood, she would need to live well into her 90s—an age many never reach. Even if she does, caring for a growing child in her later years presents undeniable challenges.
So how did the Kaurs receive IVF treatment despite these concerns?
The couple, who live in India, spent years petitioning the National Fertility and Test Tube Baby Center. Initially, the clinic rejected their request due to age-related health risks. But the Kaurs persisted, eventually convincing the center that Daljinder was fit to carry a pregnancy. She began the treatment process in her late 60s, undergoing IVF for two years before successfully conceiving.
Surprisingly, Daljinder’s pregnancy progressed without medical intervention, and she even managed to breastfeed her baby in the early months.
“We want to give him the best of everything,” Mohinder proudly stated.
However, just months after their son’s birth, reality began to set in.
Daljinder openly admits that the pregnancy took a toll on her health, leaving her with high blood pressure, arthritis, and chronic fatigue. Now that their son, Arman, is learning to crawl, simple parenting tasks—such as picking him up—have become physically demanding.
Adding to their concerns, Arman is noticeably smaller than average for his age. He weighed just under four pounds at birth—far below the typical seven-and-a-half-pound newborn weight—possibly due to Daljinder’s advanced maternal age.
Despite these difficulties, the Kaurs have no regrets.
“People ask what will happen to our child after we’re gone. But I trust in God completely. He is all-powerful and all-present. He will take care of everything,” Mohinder reassured.
Their case highlights the unresolved ethical questions surrounding late-in-life pregnancies. With their successful IVF journey, could more individuals in their age group seek similar treatments? If so, this could lead to a significant rise in births among women over 70.
Currently, no country legally restricts IVF based on a woman’s age. However, many medical professionals advise against the procedure for women over 50. Even so, this guideline has been ignored multiple times. Before Daljinder, the oldest recorded first-time mother was 66.
With continued advancements in reproductive technology, it’s likely that this record will one day be broken again.