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Tuesday, 4 July 2006, 09:55 GMT 10:55 UK

Woman is oldest twins mum at 59

Patricia Rashbrook A 59-year-old American is believed to have become the oldest woman in the world to give birth to twins.

Lauren Cohen's babies Gregory and Giselle were conceived using donor eggs, the New York Post reported.

They were delivered by emergency Caesarean, at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

The oldest woman in the world to give birth is thought to be Adriana Iliescu, from Romania, who gave birth to a daughter last year at the age of 66.

A twin sister was stillborn.

Britain's oldest mum is set to be Patricia Rashbrook, due to have a baby at the age of 63.

'Miracle'

Mrs Cohen and her husband Frank Garcia, from Paramus, New Jersey, already have an 18-month-old daughter, Raquel, who was conceived in the same way.

"I come out healthy, and the two babies came out healthy"
Lauren Cohen

Mrs Cohen lost 33 pints of blood during the delivery, during which she had to have an emergency hysterectomy.

She had suffered two potentially life-threatening conditions during pregnancy - placenta previa, where the placenta is wedged against the cervix, and placenta percreta, in which the placenta grows through the uterus.

Doctors admitted her to hospital in March to keep an eye on her condition.

A Caesarean was planned for May 24, about six weeks before the twins were due.

But two days before then, the placenta broke through the wall of Mrs Cohen's uterus and doctors decided to operate.

She told the New York Post: "I'm happy. I came out healthy, and the two babies came out healthy."

Mrs Cohen, who turns 60 on August 11, also has a 27-year-old daughter, Renee, from her first marriage.

She said she had just wanted Raquel to have a brother or sister.

"I wasn't expecting twins," she said. "But that's what happened."

Mr Garcia, who is about 20 years younger than his wife, said: "Lauren has guts. She's amazing."

He added: "It was one of my dreams to have baby twins. It's like a miracle."



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Related to this story:
'More help for older mums' call (18 Jun 06 |  Health )
More babies born to women over 50 (08 May 06 |  Health )
Doctor defends IVF for woman, 63 (04 May 06 |  Health )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
New York Post
New York Presbyterian Hospital
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