German woman, 65 and mother of 13, has quadruplets

Image
AFP Berlin
Last Updated : May 23 2015 | 4:48 PM IST
A 65-year-old German woman, who is already has 13 children, has given birth to quadruplets after undergoing an artificial insemination procedure in Ukraine early today.
The three boys and one girl were born premature at 26 weeks in a Berlin hospital but have "good chances of surviving," RTL television reported.
The mother, Berlin resident Annegret Raunigk, is an English and Russian teacher close to retirement and in addition to her 13 children is grandmother to seven.
RTL said the new arrivals make her the world's oldest mother of quadruplets.
She became pregnant after undergoing several artificial insemination procedures in Ukraine, said RTL, which has negotiated exclusive rights to the story of the births.
Raunigk made headlines in April when the German press first reported that her latest artificial insemination attempt had resulted in a quadruple pregnancy.
At the time, she said she decided to try to have another child because her youngest daughter, who is nine, wanted a little brother or sister, according to RTL.
The Bild am Sonntag tabloid quoted Raunigk, whose oldest daughter is reportedly 44, recalling that it was "a shock" when the doctors first broke the news to her of a quadruplet pregnancy.
"After the doctor discovered there were four, I had to give it some thought to begin with."
But she did not consider reducing the number of embryos and said she had no reservations about the challenge facing her.
"I'm not actually afraid. I simply assume I'll remain healthy and fit. In matters of organisation I have enough experience, that's not new for me," she was quoted as saying in Bild.
Asked about moral doubts, RTL quoted her as asking: "How does one have to be at 65? One must apparently always fit some cliches which I find rather tiring.
"I think, one must decide that for oneself."
Raunigk made headlines 10 years ago too, when she gave birth to her 13th child, Lelia, at the age of 55.
"At first, I only wanted one child," Bild quoted her as saying at the time. "Not all were planned. But then things happen. I'm not a planner but rather spontaneous. And children keep me young.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: May 23 2015 | 4:48 PM IST

Next Story