Single mother, 53, who longed for more children when her son and daughter became teenagers gives birth to twins TWO YEARS apart thanks to IVF
- Lan Ma, from Pennsylvania, has recently given birth to Tara on November 19
- Tot conceived with help of egg and sperm donor via IVF on same day as brother Toby, two
- Tara’s embryo was one of nine that was created back in June 2018
A 53-year-old mother has given birth to twins two years apart after miracle IVF treatment.
Lan Ma, from Pennsylvania, has recently given birth to Tara on November 19.
The tot was conceived with the help of an egg and sperm donor via IVF on the same day as her two-year-old brother Toby.
The project manager has two other children Thomas, 19, and Tyler, 17, but felt it was important to give Toby a biological sibling.
Lan Ma, 53, from Pennsylvania, has given birth to twins two years apart after miracle IVF treatment. Pictured, when pregnant with Tara
Tara (pictured left, with Toby, right) was conceived with the help of an egg and sperm donor via IVF on the same day as her two-year-old brother Toby
‘I am in good shape and extremely healthy so the pregnancy was perfect,’ said Lan. ‘I didn’t have any complications despite my age. To me, age is just a number.
‘I am lucky as both frozen embryo transfer worked first time as I look after my body.
‘I thought I was lucky with Toby as he is a happy boy who never cries and Tara is the exact same.
‘They look almost identical, they have the same color hair and their noses are the same.’
Lan Ma, 53, and her daughter Tyler, 17, holding sister Tara as a newborn (pictured)
Tara was conceived with the help of an egg and sperm donor via IVF on the same day as her two-year-old brother Toby. Pictured, Lan Ma after giving birth to Tara
The project manager has two other children Thomas, 19, and Tyler, 17, but felt it was important to give Toby a biological sibling. Pictured, Tyler, 17, holding Tara and Lan Ma, 53
HOW DOES IVF WORK?
The menstrual cycle is first suppressed with medication before other drugs are used to encourage the ovaries to produce more eggs than usual.
An ultrasound scan is carried out to check the development of the eggs, and medication is used to help them mature.
The eggs are then collected by a needle inserted into the ovaries, via the vagina, before the eggs are fertilised with sperm.
Finally the fertilised embryo is transferred into the womb to grow and develop.
A single IVF cycle has an average success rate of 32.3 per cent for those under 35, dropping to five per cent for women aged 43 and 44 and only 1.9 per cent for those 45 and older.
Despite IVF being most effective for the under 35s, 57 per cent of IVF cycles are undergone by women 35 or older.
Lan decided to become a single mother by choice in 2018 as her eldest children were growing up and she still had a lot of ‘love to give’.
Initially, she spent $25,000 (£18,000) on sperm, eggs and medication for the donor followed by $3,500 (£2,640) for frozen embryo and transfer.
Tara’s embryo was one of nine that was created in June 2018.
‘Thomas and Tyler begged me to have another baby so Toby can grow up with a sibling and best friend,’ explained Lan. ‘As I still feel young, I agreed as it would be unfair on Toby to grow up alone.
‘The embryo was defrosted and I was pregnant via embryo transfer in February 2021.
‘I had gestational diabetes with Toby so I was on insulin from 14 weeks with Tara.
‘But other than that everything was under control throughout the pregnancy.’
Lan insists the pregnancies in her 50s were ‘smoother’ than the two in her 30s.
‘I suffered from terrible morning sickness with Thomas and Tyler,’ she added. ‘Whereas this time, I was fine and relaxed throughout. I think that is why both babies are so chilled and happy.
‘I have no concerns about being in my 70s when they are in their 20s.
‘There are no reasons for me to believe I will be frail and weak as I am healthier now than I was in my 30s.
‘I eat well, exercise and meditate daily which has changed my temperament to be always peaceful and calm.
Lan decided to become a single mother by choice in 2018 as her eldest children were growing up and she still had a lot of ‘love to give’. Pictured, Tara’s embryo was from the same batch as Toby
Tara’s embryo was one of nine that was created in June 2018. Pictured, Tara meeting Toby for the first time
Lan continued: ‘I am fit and healthy with a lot of love to give so having Toby and Tara felt right for me.
‘They will also always have Thomas and Tyler in their lives, who are thrilled be the proud big brother and sister.
‘Hopefully when they are in their 20’s, they will have multiple nieces and nephews to enjoy.
‘I work from home so I am able to be with the children at all times. My purpose in life is to accompany them through their life development.’
Lan insists the pregnancies in her 50s were ‘smoother’ than the two in her 30s. Pictured, Tara was born on November 19
Lan said because she still felt young, she thought it’d be unfair on Toby (pictured), aged two, to grow up alone
Lan said Tara and Toby look ‘almost identical’ and added that they have the same color hair and their noses are the same. Pictured, Tara on the left and Toby on the right
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