65-Year-Old Gives Birth to Quadruplets

A 65-year-old teacher from Berlin has given birth to quadruplets after a pregnancy that was widely criticized by medical professionals because of her age. Annegret Raunigk gave birth to a girl, Neeta, and three boys, Dries, Bence, and Fjonn, by cesarean section at a Berlin hospital Tuesday, reports RTL television. The newborns weigh about 2 pounds each. A spokeswoman for RTL says the babies stood a strong chance of survival, but possible complications couldn't be ruled out because they were born in the 26th week of pregnancy. Their mother was reportedly doing well.

"Ms. Raunigk basically has no medical risk anymore," the spokesperson tells the AP. She says the woman had signed a contract granting RTL exclusive access in return for an undisclosed sum. Raunigk already had 13 children ranging in age from 9 to 44, from five fathers. She told Germany's Bild newspaper last month that she decided to become pregnant again because her 9-year-old daughter wanted a younger sibling. Raunigk traveled abroad to have donated, fertilized eggs implanted, a procedure that is illegal in Germany. (A 65-year-old in Israel just became the oldest woman in that country to give birth.)