Mother, 54, gives birth using her own eggs after long infertility journey

A London-based nutritionist and mindset coach delivered her first biological son at age 54 after more than a decade of infertility and seven miscarriages, a journey that included traveling to clinics in Vienna and Bilbao and enduring multiple rounds of IVF. Monica Kranner, now a mother to Lewis, says the decision to pursue a pregnancy with her own eggs—retrieved when she was 52—was driven by a persistent hope to have a biological child, despite the odds.

Kranner’s struggles began with natural conception attempts that never culminated in a lasting pregnancy. She conceived naturally for the first time at 42, but miscarried 11 weeks later. After marrying Peter in 2012, the couple experienced another wave of miscarriages, prompting them to seek fertility help abroad when UK options were unavailable. In 2014, at the age of 45, Kranner registered with a clinic in Vienna for intrauterine insemination, which briefly produced a pregnancy before a second loss.

Doctors in Austria advised against continuing with her own eggs after multiple setbacks, given her age and the risk profile. Yet Kranner was determined to pursue a path that preserved a genetic link to both partners. The couple turned to a clinic in Bilbao, Spain, where physicians supported her choice to try again with her own eggs. They faced the added challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed plans until late 2021.

Four eggs were retrieved during the Bilbao cycle, and each was fertilized with Peter’s sperm, yielding four embryos. Because multiple pregnancies pose higher risks for older mothers, only one embryo was transferred at a time, and the others were frozen for future use. Over the next year, Kranner underwent two more transfers that produced positive pregnancy tests but ended in miscarriage. She describes the emotional toll of those losses, which occurred amid a small circle of friends offering support while others urged her to consider less demanding options.

A third transfer, at age 53, produced a successful result after months of anxious expectations. In November 2022, Kranner learned she was carrying a son. She was monitored closely with regular scans and tests, including checks for chromosomal abnormalities. Although gestational diabetes and high blood pressure developed, doctors said these were age-related and did not require medication; she followed diet advice and rested. In a precautionary plan, her obstetrician scheduled a caesarean two weeks before the expected due date to reduce risk to mother and baby. Kranner delivered Lewis by caesarean when she was 54 years old; the baby weighed 6 pounds 3 ounces, and both mother and child were healthy.

Two hours after birth, Lewis began breast-feeding, and Kranner recalls an overwhelming sense of joy despite the recovery from surgery. Today, Lewis is a energetic two-year-old who loves cars and trucks, and speaks both English and Kranner’s native German. The family has adapted to the demands of parenting in their 50s, acknowledging fatigue and the inevitability of a long arc ahead, including the prospect that Kranner and Peter will be in their 70s as Lewis grows older.

The couple spent roughly £60,000 on fertility treatment to have Lewis, a figure Kranner says she would likely need to earn back over many years. She acknowledges that NHS IVF services typically cap eligibility at 43, and private clinics have sometimes advised donor eggs as a more straightforward path. Kranner’s choice to use her own eggs was driven by a strong belief she could give her child a biological link to both parents, despite the substantial medical and emotional costs involved.

Public reaction to late-age parenthood has been mixed. Some people question whether it is fair to have a child at such an advanced age, while others misinterpret the situation as involving surrogacy or donor eggs. The discussion around late motherhood often intersects with ethics and the economics of fertility treatment, including concerns about exploitation and the impact of rising family-building costs on younger, financially stretched women. The couple notes that public judgments persist even after the baby is here, and they have learned to navigate conversations about age, parenting, and the realities of their situation.

Health considerations tied to late pregnancy were a central theme in Kranner’s story. Medical professionals highlighted risks such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and increased likelihood of birth complications with advanced maternal age. In Kranner’s case, the medical team closely monitored the pregnancy and opted for a planned caesarean section to balance safety with the desire to minimize stress on mother and child. While some critics suggest that aging parents may be unable to meet their child’s needs, Kranner emphasizes her willingness to work and plan to ensure Lewis receives attention and resources as he grows. She notes that many parents, regardless of age, face challenges in balancing work, finances, and family life, and she believes parental commitment matters as much as age.

The experience has left Kranner with a pragmatic outlook on fertility, possibility, and parenthood. She remains grateful for the outcome and acknowledges that her path required perseverance, financial sacrifice, and the support of a partner who shared her determination. Kranner hopes their story may offer perspective to others facing infertility and to clinicians who counsel patients considering late-life pregnancies. As she looks ahead, she plans to stay engaged with her professional work and to be present for Lewis at every stage, while acknowledging that some aspects of parenting in later life may be beyond her control.