Safina Namukwaya, a 70-year-old woman from Uganda, recently gained international attention as one of the world’s oldest new mothers. She successfully gave birth to a boy and a girl through a C-section and has now joyfully returned home with her miracle babies.
The Women’s Hospital International and Fertility Center in Kampala, where Namukwaya underwent in-vitro fertilization treatment, described the event as a miracle at the age of 70. The hospital shared heartwarming photos capturing Namukwaya’s joy as she embraces motherhood in her later years with her newborns.
“At the age of 70, Namukwaya is experiencing the blossoming of maternal love as she cradles twins alongside Dr. Edward Tamale-Sali,” the hospital’s Facebook page posted. “Their hands hold not just babies, but gems of hope, proving that a mother’s love transcends time and age.”
The delighted Namukwaya, in a heartwarming moment, is photographed holding one of her newborns, while Dr. Edward Tamale-Sali proudly presents the other. According to Tamale-Sali, Namukwaya is captivated by her twins and is described as a loving and playful mother to Shakira Babiyre Nabagala and Kato Shafique Kangave.
In her village, Namukwaya will be known as Nalongo, signifying the mother of twins, while her husband, Walusimbi Badru, will be referred to as Salongo, representing the father of twins. Previously facing social stigma and being labeled a “cursed woman” due to infertility, Namukwaya overcame these challenges, delivering her first child three years ago. Dr. Edward Tamale-Sali revealed that Namukwaya was active the same day she delivered the twins, playfully stating she is now “almost playing football.”
The pediatrician, Dr. Gloria Lunyolo, referred to Namukwaya’s twins as “miracle babies,” highlighting their feeding routine with a combination of formula and bre*st milk. Despite being 70 years old, Namukwaya, who also has a 3-year-old daughter, expressed feeling “great” just two days after giving birth. She emphasized the divine aspect of her conception, relying on her household for assistance due to advanced age, difficulty during pregnancy, and the infants’ premature birth at 31 weeks.
Using donor eggs and her husband’s sperm for conception, Namukwaya faced controversy regarding the risks and challenges associated with advanced maternal age. Dr. Brian Levine expressed concerns, citing elevated rates of health issues in women over 50 and emphasizing potential challenges for the children in case of medical emergencies. Dr. Tamale-Sali defended Namukwaya’s pursuit of motherhood as her human right. Notably, this situation echoes a 2019 case where a 73-year-old woman in southern India gave birth to twin girls through IVF.