Doctors Shocked as Rajasthan Woman, 55, Conceives Naturally and Delivers 17th Child

Rekha, a 55-year-old woman from Udaipur, Rajasthan, recently gave birth to her 17th child, surprising doctors due to her advanced maternal age and the risks associated with late-age pregnancy.

Delivery at an Advanced Age

Rekha, married to Kavara Ram Kalbelia, a scrap dealer, was admitted to a government hospital in Udaipur, where doctors noted her case as unusual because women over 50 typically experience menopause and reduced fertility. On initial enquiry, the family had reported it be the Rekha's 4th pregnancy in the hospital. But later it was revealed to be her 17th. Among which she lost 5 kids during and soon after childbirth and currently have 11 surviving children along with grandchildren. The father of the child admits that none of them have gone to school or had any education as reported by Times of India.

Rekha conceived naturally without any fertility treatment, which makes the case rare since chances of spontaneous pregnancy after 50 are extremely low. Doctors described the birth as “shocking” from a medical perspective, given the multiple health risks associated with her age.

Multiple pregnancies put the mother in increased risk of heavy bleeding and preterm delivery. Pregnancy at this age carries significant risks such as gestational hypertension, diabetes, preterm birth, and complications during delivery.^[1] Despite these risks, both the mother and baby were reported stable after delivery. The newborn is a girl, and both were discharged after observation, according to reports. Rekha’s case has sparked debate among healthcare professionals about the importance of family planning, especially in communities where awareness is limited.

Dr. Mukesh Garasiya said to India Today that Rekha had been admitted on August 24 without sonography or pre-delivery tests. He also added that she could have died from excessive bleeding due to previous deliveries, the uterus weakens, and the risk of hemorrhage rises.

Education and Birth Rates

Studies show that lower levels of maternal education are directly linked with higher fertility rates. In India, women with no formal education are more likely to have larger families compared to those with secondary or higher education. Lack of awareness about contraception, coupled with cultural and social norms, continues to drive high birth rates in many rural regions. Pregnancy at this age carries significant risks such as gestational hypertension, diabetes, preterm birth, and complications during delivery. ^[1,2]

In Rekha’s case, her husband acknowledged that financial hardship and lack of schooling contributed to the family’s situation, saying, “None of our children have gone to school. We are poor and survive by collecting scrap.”

Health Risks of Multiple Pregnancies

Medical literature highlights that multiple pregnancies over a lifetime increase risks to maternal health, including uterine rupture, hemorrhage, and long-term complications such as pelvic floor disorders . Late maternal age also raises the probability of genetic abnormalities in newborns and higher maternal mortality rates. ^[1]

Doctors described the case as highly unusual and risky for a woman of 55 to conceive naturally. While both mother and child survived, public health experts and officials stressed that such instances highlight gaps in family planning and the urgent need for awareness drives to prevent similar high-risk pregnancies in the future.

References

1. PubMed Central. 2023. “Determinants of High Fertility in Developing Countries: Education and Contraceptive Awareness.” PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9886143/.

2. ScienceDirect. 2025. “Multiple Gestation and Maternal Risks in Obstetrics.” ScienceDirect Topics. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/multiple-gestation.

3. PubMed Central. 2023. “To Evaluate the Effect of Increasing Maternal Age on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in Pregnancies at Advanced Maternal Age.” PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9886143/.

(Rh/Eth/TL/MSM)