Scottish mother of 13 looking for baby number 14

October 24, 2009 by Shawn Douglas
Filed under: News

The Scottish mother has been trying to conceive baby number 14 at the age of 45.

When it comes to children, one child is enough for many families. But there are some people who love children so much that raising double-digit numbers of them is a must. Enter Scottish mother Deborah Simpson.

Deborah Simpson, 45, and her husband Derek, 46, have been trying to conceive their 14th child for the past 19 months, a time period that has included two miscarriages.

“People try to make it about numbers but numbers mean nothing,” Deborah told the Daily Record.

“Baby number 14 will be just as special as number one. I really love children and having children. They rock your world.”

At the age of 45, IVF is no longer an option for the Simpson family, so Deborah has caved in and joined a gym for the first time, all in the hopes that a new exercise routine will increase her chances of conception. And she is not alone. Her husband Derek and daughter Kimberley are also joining the exercise routine.

“For years I’d thought about it but never actually joined a gym. I used to exercise at home but there were too many distractions,” said Deborah.

“You can turn the clock back by healthy eating—which is something we have always done as a family—and exercise. Even losing a few pounds can increase your chances.”

Shona Nimmo, owner of the Energie Fitness for Women franchise in East Kilbride, has been working with Deborah on a specific exercise routine to help her reach her goal.

“Everyone has a different goal when they come to us,” said Shona.

“Deborah was so focused and we helped her channel that into her fitness and kept her motivated. Exercising is something you should always incorporate as part of your ‘trying to get pregnant’ routine.”

“Obviously, the fitter and healthier your body is, the more chance there is of a conception. Trying for a baby can be quite a stressful time, and exercising is a good stress-buster.”

However, exercise alone isn’t the answer to Deborah’s desire for number 14.

Juliet Le Page, a fertility expert at Edinburgh’s Fertility Concern, told the Daily Record: “Some form of gentle exercise like yoga, Pilates, and walking is good because it releases the feel-good hormone serotonin. But high-impact exercise that releases adrenaline, the stress hormone, is not good as it has a counterproductive effect on women’s reproductive systems.”

“It’s not as simple as exercising. When women are over 40 you really have to go on a case-by-case basis. There could be a number of other factors involved.”

Deborah and Derek are dedicated, however, and plan on trying until there are no more options. And if they succeed, Deborah promises there will be more than enough love to go around.

“I feel horrible for people who don’t have any children and are trying to conceive but I don’t think I should be denied the right to try,” said Deborah.

“If we achieve this baby, it will be loved to bits.”