Eagle Rock Woman, 50, Gives Birth to Triplets

At an age when many couples are slowing down, planning for retirement and enjoying grandchildren, Milagros Olarve and her husband Florante--both 50 years old--have had triplets.

After 14 1/2 hours of labor, and a test-tube conception, Millie, as she is known, gave birth Thursday to 2-pound, 7-ounce Alexander, 2-pound, 2-ounce Veronica and 2-pound Stephanie. Although they were born about two months prematurely, all three and their mother were healthy and resting Friday at Glendale Adventist Medical Center.

“Most of the time at this age, they’re having menopause, not having babies,” said Olarve’s obstetrician, Dr. Ronald Wu.

Millie Olarve said she used no birth control during the couple’s 22 years of marriage, and nothing happened. About 10 years ago, she and her husband became determined to have a child. After surgery to remove scar tissue from her abdomen and unblock her fallopian tubes, she still had no luck.

Two years ago, the Eagle Rock couple turned to in vitro fertilization--Latin for “in glass”--the term for test-tube babies. Millie’s eggs and Florante’s sperm were combined in a test tube and implanted in her womb.

It took two tries, at about $18,000 each. In the first, doctors implanted five fertilized eggs. Another five were implanted in May; the large number increases the odds that at least one will survive. This time, three made it.

Millie Olarve said she pays no attention to debates about some mothers being too old to have children. She and her husband are in excellent health, she said.

“I don’t think it’s unfair” to the children, she said. “It’s going to make me feel younger.”

Wu said he expects the premature babies to be ready to go home soon after the first of the year. Until then, the Olarves are counting their blessings.

“Milagros in Spanish means miracles, “ Millie said. “Now I have three miracles.”