Woman becomes Australia’s oldest mother aged 63 ... and her husband is 78

A woman has been criticised by leading medical practitioners after officially becoming Australia’s oldest mother — at the age of 63.

The Tasmanian woman had the baby in a Melbourne hospital on Monday. The father, her 78-year-old husband, was at her bedside as her first child was born.

It was revealed that the pensioner, desperate to conceive, travelled overseas to undergo IVF procedures. Doctors draw the line at treating women for IVF in Australia at age 53.

Australian Medical Association president Michael Gannon called the birth “selfish,” “wrong” and “madness”.

The girl was born by caesarean section at Frances Perry House private hospital in Parkville, Victoria. She was born prematurely but is said to be progressing well, along with her mother

Dr Gannon, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, condemned the birth on Twitter.

“Child starts life in NICU [Neonatal Intensive Care Unit]. Anyone thought ahead to its teens? Selfish, wrong,” he wrote. “This is a rights issue. Consider rights of the child, society, taxpayer. Madness. Not designed to have kids in sixties.”

It was reported that the couple conceived through IVF overseas, using a donor embryo.

Frances Perry House chief executive Michael Rozek said: “We understand the huge interest in this story but the family has advised that they are not seeking any publicity now, or in the future. The hospital will respect the family’s wishes and uphold their right to privacy.”

There are no laws governing the age limits for IVF treatments in Australia but Victorian legislation — and that of most states — is framed around what is in the best interests of the child.

Professor Gab Kovacs, an IVF expert, said only very fit women with healthy hearts would be considered suitable candidates for IVF in their early fifties.

“Being pregnant at 62 is dangerous to the mother and baby,” he said.

“Also, by the time the child is 21, the mother is going to be 84.”