“I proved the doubters wrong”: A single woman recounts her happiness at being an IVF mom at 51, despite the concerns of her parents that she might struggle to be a parent as an older single parent.

  • Kelly Clarke, 51, from West Sussex became mother to Lyla  in March
  • IVF in Greece with a donor sperm and got pregnant 
  •  Recent figures show almost three women over 50 gave birth every week last year as the number delaying motherhood beyond middle age soars










Kelly Clarke was 50 when she told her family that she would like to be a single mom. She encountered resistance.

She was unable to get IVF treatment because her parents were concerned about the difficulties she might face as an older single parent.

However, she was determined to proceed with the operation. After welcoming Lyla to the world in January, Lyla is now 51 years old.

Miss Clarke was from Crawley in West Sussex and is well-known among her friends as being great with children. She had always wanted to become a mother, but she wasn’t lucky in love.

When Kelly Clarke first told her family she wanted to become a single mother at the age of 50, she encountered some resistance. Pictured: Miss Clarke and baby Lyla Rae

Kelly Clarke was 50 when she told her family that she would like to be a single mom. She encountered resistance. Miss Clarke, Lyla Rae

When she was nearing her 50th Birthday, she realized she had no time and so she flew to Greece last March to get an IVF consultation. She did this on the recommendation of her friend. 

Although her trip to Athens for the next appointment was delayed due to the pandemic she experienced, when she returned to Athens in July she received an embryo that had been fertilised from a donor,

Twelve days after she returned home, she found out that her baby girl was actually a girl. The birth of her baby girl took place by caesarean at the end March.

Miss Clarke is a former Gatwick Airport manager and said that she was able to be a mother despite all odds. It’s something that I always wanted to do.

She returned to Britain and, 12 days later, discovered she was pregnant. Her baby girl was born by caesarean section at the end of March

After returning to Britain, she discovered that she was pregnant 12 days later. At the end of March, her baby girl was delivered by caesarean.

“I’m still unable to believe that I’m finally a mother at the age of 51. She’s the perfect baby – I couldn’t ask for anything more.’ Her parents were initially hesitant, but they are now supportive.

‘They were against me doing it, which was hard – I felt like I was being disowned,’ Miss Clarke said. It’s not because they hate me, but I now see.

They worried how they would handle it if it didn’t work out because they were aware of how important I was as a mom. But it never even crossed my mind that it wouldn’t work – I just had a feeling.

In total, she spent about £4,000, which covered treatment, fertility drugs, flights and accommodation – considerably cheaper than in the UK, where she was told the process could cost up to £15,000

In total, she spent about £4,000, which covered treatment, fertility drugs, flights and accommodation – considerably cheaper than in the UK, where she was told the process could cost up to £15,000

“Lyla and her husband are the best grandparents. Without them, I have no idea what I would do.

In total, she spent about £4,000, which covered treatment, fertility drugs, flights and accommodation – considerably cheaper than in the UK, where she was told the process could cost up to £15,000.

‘Lyla is going to know she is loved and how much I wanted her – she’ll know the lengths I went to to bring her into my world,’ she added.

According to recent statistics, almost three out of every five women aged 50 or more gave birth last week as the rate at which mothers delay becoming mother beyond their middle years soars.

At least 139 women over 50, including 14 over-55s, gave birth in NHS hospitals last year – the highest number in the past five years.

Recent figures show almost three women over 50 gave birth every week last year as the number delaying motherhood beyond middle age soars

According to recent statistics, almost three out of every five women aged 50 or more gave birth last week as the rate at which mothers delay becoming motherhood rises beyond midlife is alarming.

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