SHESPEAKS Your Power to Influence

With all of the advances in modern fertility treatments these days we are hearing a lot more stories that may shock some of us or even make us a little uneasy.  The story of Kristine Casey has definitely raised eyebrows around the world this week.  Casey, 61, recently gave birth via c-section to Finnean Lee Connell.  

Carrying a baby over the age of 60 is becoming less rare in recent years with the ability doctors now have to inject hormones into a woman’s uterus rendering it both youthful and fertile.  Casey being a pregnant senior citizen is not the most surprising or notable part of this story.  What is making headlines is that Kristine Casey gave birth to her own grandchild.  

A recent article from CNN reports that Casey volunteered to be the surrogate for her daughter Sara and Sara’s husband Bill Connell after the couple suffered through the experience of miscarriage and stillborn twins. Sara’s egg and Bill’s sperm were used to create Finnean Lee Connell, which means they are the biological parents of the baby that Kristine Casey carried to term and delivered.

Carrying a baby doesn’t come without risks for postmenopausal women.  Many fertility clinics place the cut-off for treatments at the age of 55, but Casey was able to find one that would treat a 61-year-old.  There are a long list of possible complications that can occur and Casey actually did face some kidney related issues after the birth. Fortunately for Casey, her complications were quickly resolved and she ended up having an overall healthy pregnancy and delivery.  

Though some find the thought of a grandmother giving birth to her own grandchild to be strange, others think it to be one of the most generous self-sacrificing gifts a mother could give to her child.  

What do you think of what Kristine Casey was able to do for her daughter and son-in-law?

Do you think the end result of delivering a healthy baby was worth the risks Casey faced carrying a baby at the age of 61?