A Long-Awaited Miracle: my Journey to Motherhood at 54
The desire to be a mother consumed much of my life. It’s a longing that persisted through heartbreak and disappointment,spanning decades and multiple attempts. Before Lewis arrived, he was the eighth child I had conceived, a fact many wouldn’t know without understanding the long road to finally holding him in my arms.
my journey began with seven miscarriages, each loss deepening my resolve, yet also fueling my anxieties. Despite the setbacks, I clung to the hope of motherhood. At the age of 53, I underwent a third transfer at a clinic in Bilbao, Spain.
When a positive pregnancy test arrived in November 2022, it wasn’t met with party, but with a cautious apprehension born of past experience.I made it to 14 weeks – a milestone I’d never reached before – and a scan revealed I was carrying a boy. We were thrilled, but kept the news secret, even from family, fearing we might jinx the pregnancy. We finally shared our joy when I was seven months along.
Throughout the pregnancy, I underwent extensive testing, including checks for chromosomal abnormalities, and was monitored and scanned monthly. Thankfully, everything was progressing well. Though,doctors expressed concern when I developed gestational diabetes and high blood pressure,attributing both to my age. While medication wasn’t required, I was advised to follow a specific diet and prioritize rest.
My obstetrician recommended a caesarean section, scheduled for two weeks before my due date. At 54, it was deemed the safest delivery method. Even then,I hesitated,fearful of tempting fate,and only purchased the essentials – a pram,car seat,and muslin cloths – just two weeks before the planned surgery.
Fate,however,had its own timeline. Contractions began a week later, and I was rushed to the hospital for the caesarean. The moment the midwife held Lewis aloft, a healthy 6lb 3oz baby with a tuft of dark hair like his father’s and big eyes like mine, I was overwhelmed with love. Within two hours, he was feeding, and despite the post-operative discomfort, I’d never felt such joy.
Now two years old, Lewis is a vibrant, energetic boy who loves cars and trucks and effortlessly switches between English and my native German.
Of course, Peter and I are often exhausted at the end of the day, but I suspect that’s a global experience for parents, regardless of age. I am aware that Lewis will be a teenager while we are in our 70s, and while the emotional demands of that stage don’t worry me unduly, I do worry about potential teasing or bullying at school due to our age, and the possible judgment from other mothers.
I want to be present for every milestone in Lewis’s life,even when he has children of his own,but I understand that may not be possible. The financial cost of achieving this dream was meaningful – approximately £60,000 – meaning I’ll likely need to work until I’m 85 to rebuild our savings. But every day, I am profoundly grateful that I didn’t give up on the chance, however small, to have our miracle son.He is worth every penny, and so much more.