As advances in fertility science continue to expand what is medically possible, they also raise complex ethical questions. One such case is that of Daljinder Kaur, who became a first-time mother at the age of 72—the oldest age on record for a woman giving birth to her first child. Her husband, Mohinder Singh Kaur, was 80 at the time.
The Kaurs had dreamed of becoming parents their entire lives but spent decades unable to conceive. With the help of modern reproductive technology, that dream finally came true. But at what cost? Critics argue that bringing a child into the world at such an advanced age introduces serious concerns. For Daljinder to raise her child to adulthood, she would need to live into her nineties—a milestone very few people reach. And even then, the physical demands of parenthood at such an age would be formidable.
So how did the couple secure IVF treatment despite these objections?
The Kaurs live in India and had been petitioning the National Fertility and Test Tube Baby Center for years. Although initially rejected, they continued to advocate for themselves until doctors determined that Daljinder’s health met the criteria for pregnancy. She began IVF in her late 60s and remained under the clinic’s care for two years.
Ultimately, the medical assessments proved accurate: Daljinder carried and delivered her son without surgical intervention and even breastfed him for several months after birth.
“We want to give him the very best life possible,” Mohinder said.
But only months into parenthood, the realities of age have begun to take a toll. Daljinder openly acknowledges that the pregnancy left her with lasting medical issues, including high blood pressure, joint pain, and severe fatigue. Their son, Arman, is learning to walk, but following after him has become increasingly difficult for his elderly parents. He was born weighing less than four pounds—far smaller than the average newborn—and remains small for his age.
Still, the Kaurs insist they have no regrets.
“People ask what will happen to him when we are gone,” Mohinder said. “But we trust in God. He is all-powerful and ever-present. Everything will fall into place.”
The ethical debate surrounding their case continues. Their successful experience may inspire others in their age group to pursue IVF, potentially leading to a surge in children born to mothers over 70. No country currently enforces an upper age limit for IVF, though many medical experts advise against performing the procedure on women over 50.
Yet those guidelines have been repeatedly challenged. Until Daljinder, the oldest recorded mother was 66. Now, that record has been pushed even further—and may one day be broken again.
