A New York City woman has become the mother of twins - at the age of 56.
Aleta St. James delivered son Gian and daughter Francesca by Caesarean section Tuesday at a New York City hospital - making her one of the oldest women in the United States to give birth to twins. She became pregnant through in vitro fertilization using donor eggs.
Ms. St. James became a mother three days shy of turning 57. She is the second oldest American to give birth to twins. The website www.twinstuff.com says Judy Cates became the mother of twins in 1998 at the age of 57.
Doctors say childbirth carries many risks for women over the age of 50, including gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and possible miscarriage.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.