The question of when it’s too late to have children varies for each woman and depends on her ovarian reserve. For Erramatti Mangayamma from India, this moment arrived when she turned 40. Diagnosed with early menopause, she was declared infertile, and her husband was advised to find another wife who could bear him heirs.
Erramatti got married at the age of 16 to Rajeev, who was 20. Fortunately, their marriage flourished, and they genuinely fell in love. Despite their early attempts to conceive and dreams of a large family, they faced infertility issues. Erramatti consulted various doctors, but none could help. In a society where motherhood is revered, being labeled as childless brought immense societal pressure.
The couple learned about the possibility of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in 2018 when Erramatti was 73. Despite her age, the doctor considered her health excellent and gave her a chance to become a mother. Using an egg donor, as Erramatti’s own eggs were no longer viable, the couple achieved success in their first IVF attempt. Erramatti, at 74, became pregnant with twins.
The pregnancy, monitored by a team of ten specialists due to its unique circumstances, proceeded smoothly without complications. Erramatti delivered two baby girls, Uma and Rama, by cesarean section on September 5, 2019. Despite initial skepticism and societal criticism, the couple found joy in parenthood.
Erramatti’s husband, Rajeev, passed away a year later due to a heart attack, leaving her to raise the children alone. Despite the challenges, Erramatti, now a single mother, remains proud and happy to have become a mother in her 70s.
This story stirred controversy, with critics expressing disapproval for late parenthood. However, Erramatti finds solace and happiness in her children, Uma and Rama.
