Another One for the Books

Sixty-year-old Ranjit Hayer, gave birth Thursday to twin boys, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

The babies were delivered seven weeks early via Caesarean section. Doctors say both are doing well, although one of the babies is breathing with the help of special equipment, while the other boy is in the special care unit.

Hayer,who is originally from India, is now a permanent resident of Canada. She and her husband tried for years to have children. Hayer went to India for in vitro fertilization using donor eggs last year. The cutoff age in Canada for IVF is between 45 and 50 years old.

During her pregnancy, Hayer dealt with high blood pressure and diabetes. Hayer began to hemorrhage this week so her doctor performed an emergency C-section to deliver the twins. Hayer is recovering in the intensive care unit.


Of course, Hayers really late-in-life pregnancy has prompted debate in Canada. What's the Canadian's health care system's obligation for after-care, when a woman has sought IVF outside the country? Isn't it irresponsible to have children so late in life, when the parents may not live long enough to see them grow up?

What are the answers to these questions? Deny healthcare? Mandate an age limit for pregnancy?

Tricky business, that.