Daljinder Kaur, a 72-year-old woman from Amritsar, India, and her 79-year-old husband, Mohinder Gill, have embarked on an extraordinary journey to become parents. After experiencing the heartbreak of three miscarriages, Daljinder had nearly given up hope of ever becoming a mother.

Recalling her unique journey to motherhood, Daljinder says, “Walking down the street heavily pregnant, everyone stared at me. They couldn’t believe what they saw: an elderly woman expecting a child. Their stares were hurtful, but nothing could take away the joy I felt at being pregnant.”

She continues, “At the age of 72, I’d waited long enough. My husband Mohinder and I wed in 1970. It was an arranged marriage, but a happy one. Following our wedding, I had three miscarriages and was totally devastated.

Neighbors insulted us because we couldn’t produce a child, and even our own relatives said I was ‘cursed’ and that my husband should remarry.”

Despite the societal pressure and emotional turmoil, Mohinder remained understanding and supportive, assuring Daljinder of his love regardless of the circumstances. However, Daljinder couldn’t help but carry a profound sense of isolation for not becoming a mother.

Watching her friends’ children grow into adults was a constant reminder of her own unfulfilled desire to have a child. Some days, the pain was overwhelming, keeping her housebound.

With three miscarriages behind them and limited options for fertility treatment, they decided to halt their attempts to have a baby. India, especially in the 1970s and 1980s, didn’t have much help or advice to offer, and Daljinder resigned herself to the idea that she might never become a mother.

However, in 2012, Daljinder saw a television advertisement for the National Fertility & Test Tube Baby Center in Haryana, northern India, a clinic specializing in in-vitro fertilization (IVF). This marked the first time she had heard of IVF, but she excitedly approached her husband, Mohinder, with the idea, and he agreed.

Though the doctor Daljinder consulted was initially hesitant due to her age and the associated risks, she pleaded with him to proceed. After conducting tests and receiving positive results, the doctor finally agreed.

They were determined to make it happen, even though it was a costly endeavor, with each round of IVF costing just over £2,000. Mohinder, a farmer, managed to finance the treatments, depleting their savings in the process.

The first two attempts at IVF in 2013 and 2014 ended in failure. However, in July 2015, two decades after her menopause, the doctor informed Daljinder that she had conceived. This moment of joy was met with skepticism from friends and relatives who believed she was too old to have a child and questioned her ability to care for a newborn. Yet, Daljinder remained resolute.

Daljinder says, “The baby would be so loved it would be enough to last a lifetime, whether we were there or not.” She had her doubts, particularly regarding her health and the ability to carry the baby for nine months, but her desire to become a mother overcame all obstacles.

Pregnancy went smoothly, without complications, and their son, Arman Singh, was born via planned Caesarean section, weighing 4 pounds 4 ounces, on April 19. Holding her son was a beautiful and emotional experience for Daljinder.

She is now navigating the challenges of early motherhood, including breastfeeding and sleepless nights. Daljinder faces physical discomfort due to joint pains from picking up Arman, as her mobility has declined. However, despite the challenges, she wouldn’t change a thing and is confident that she will be around to see her son grow up. For Daljinder and Mohinder, their family finally feels complete.