Anatolia Vertadella, a 101-year-old woman from Italy, has astounded everyone around her by giving birth to her 17th child, a healthy baby weighing 3.3kg. With already having 16 children, the question of how a woman of her age could become pregnant and give birth has left everyone in disbelief.
Indeed, it is widely known that a woman's likelihood of conceiving decreases substantially after the age of 40. This occurs due to the ovaries ceasing to release eggs on a regular monthly basis. Hence, based on conventional wisdom, it would be considered highly unlikely for Anatolia, at the age of 101, to have had the opportunity to conceive and deliver a child.
In a surprising twist, the elderly woman has unveiled the truth behind her extraordinary story. Anatolia, at the age of 48 and after already having 16 children, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. To save her life, she made the difficult decision to undergo surgery and have her ovaries removed, forfeiting her chances of becoming a mother again.
However, fueled by a deep desire to have her 17th child, Anatolia made a daring request for a new ovary transplant. This request led her to undergo an illegal and controversial procedure, which took place secretly at a private clinic in Turkey. Tearfully, Anatolia expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the doctors who had chosen to perform the surgery for her.
Despite the loss of her husband in 1998, Anatolia managed to find a sperm donor who enabled her to conceive and give birth to her child. This extraordinary feat has made Anatolia the oldest recorded mother to give birth at the age of 101, surpassing the previous record held by Malegwale Ramokgopa, a South African mother who gave birth at the age of 92.
Ovary transplant surgery, while controversial in some regions, is not uncommon in countries like Turkey and India. This procedure is often performed on individuals, including cancer patients seeking to preserve their fertility or individuals seeking gender transition, who wish to have children.
Anatolia's family and friends have rallied behind her, expressing their joy and offering their unwavering support for her choice. However, her unique story has ignited a passionate and contentious debate surrounding the ethical and moral implications of such surgeries. The ongoing discussion surrounding this case is expected to persist as society grapples with the complex considerations and implications involved.
