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German Woman Welcomes 10th Child at 66, Defies Stereotypes
A woman from Germany, aged 66, has recently given birth to her tenth child, displaying remarkable resilience in the face of societal scrutiny regarding her late-life pregnancy. Alexandra Hildebrandt welcomed her son, Philipp, through a cesarean section at the renowned Charité Hospital in Berlin on March 19. The newborn weighed a healthy seven pounds, 13 ounces, though he is currently receiving respiratory support.
In a conversation with Today.com, Hildebrandt shared that Philipp was conceived naturally and without complications. Her eldest child, Svetlana, is significantly older than Philipp, by 46 years, with other siblings ranging from two to 36 years old.
Philipp is the eighth child of Hildebrandt with her husband, Daniel Dormann. The couple’s family includes twins Elisabeth and Maximilian, along with other children named Alexandra, Leopold, Anna, Maria, and Katharina.
Hildebrandt, who also works as a human rights advocate and serves as the director of the Berlin Wall Museum at Checkpoint Charlie, has two adult children, Svetlana and Artjom, from a previous relationship. Remarkably, since turning 53, she has welcomed eight of her children, asserting that her large family structure is beneficial for all her offspring.
Family as a Key to Nurturing
“Having a large family is not just a wonderful experience; it is crucial for the proper upbringing of children,” Hildebrandt noted in her communication with Today.com, highlighting the positive responses from her family regarding her decision to expand their family further.
According to Hildebrandt, she has never resorted to contraceptive methods and maintains a healthy lifestyle, avoiding smoking and alcohol while adhering to a nutritious diet. “I swim regularly for an hour and walk for two hours each day,” she revealed.
Dr. Wolfgang Henrich, the director of obstetrics at Charité Hospital, remarked on Hildebrandt’s robust physical condition and mental strength, which he attributed to her successful pregnancy and delivery.
Home Improvements for a Growing Family
Recently, Hildebrandt and her husband have acquired a new residence in Berlin, where they intend to create individual bedrooms for their eight children. Scheduled renovations are ongoing to meet this goal. “We still have to install plasterboard walls, which we haven’t completed yet,” she commented.
Healthcare experts have noted that pregnancies at an advanced maternal age carry various risks, including miscarriage, chromosomal abnormalities, gestational diabetes, and low birth weight, among others, as outlined by Johns Hopkins University.
Hildebrandt’s commitment to her family and her overall approach to wellness continues to challenge prevailing norms concerning late-age pregnancies.
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globalnews.ca