A British pensioner today spoke of her joy at giving birth at the age of 62 to an "adorable" baby boy.
Patti Farrant became Britain's oldest mother when her son, JJ, was born by caesarean section at Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, on Wednesday.
The healthy baby, weighing 6lb 10.5oz was conceived after treatment from controversial Italian fertility expert Severino Antinori.
Ms Farrant, a child psychiatrist known professionally as Dr Patricia Rashbrook, already had three grown-up children, but husband John Farrant (60) a higher education management consultant, was a first-time father.
JJ was the result of the couple's fifth and final attempt to conceive, which cost £10,000. They defended themselves against claims that they were selfish to have a child at their age, saying they had "no regrets".
Mr Farrant said they had received more than 200 letters, cards, and e-mails of good will from members of the public and just one unsigned letter "negative in tone".
His wife had hoped to give birth naturally but three weeks short of her due date of July 15th decided that an elective caesarean would be safer, because of her age.
Her first husband died in 2003 aged 69, six years after they divorced.