Missouri grandmother, 51, welcomes her seventh child after IVF

A grandmother who spent $35,000 on IVF aged 51 has welcomed her seventh child.

Kimberly Chasteen, 51, welcomed her seventh child, Tyrique Chasteen on St Patricks Day, March 17 2022.

The mother-of-seven and grandmother of five was only 16-years-old when she welcomed her first daughter Jessica, 35 in 1986, going on to have five more children: Kayla, 33, Richard, 31, Blake, 20, Briar, 19 and Balin, 17.

Kimberly, from St Louis, Missouri, who used an egg and sperm donor, faced criticism from trolls after her second child, Kayla, took to TikTok to share her mother’s pregnancy journey, with some commenting that her decision to have a child at 51 was unsafe.

Kimberly, who is a nurse’s assistant, said: ‘When I read some of the horrible comments, it hurt my heart and I cried.

Kimberly Chasteen, 51, from St Louis, Missouri, welcomed her seventh child, Tyrique Chasteen in hospital on St Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2022

Grandmother Kimberly Chasteen, 51, with three of her older children Kayla, Briar and Jessica

Grandmother Kimberly Chasteen, 51, with three of her older children Kayla, Briar and Jessica

Kimberly, pictured in the hospital while pregnant, spent $35,000 on IVF, after finding a doctor who accepted her, due to her age

Kimberly, pictured in the hospital while pregnant, spent $35,000 on IVF, after finding a doctor who accepted her, due to her age

‘Kayla said that she could take them down, but I told her that people are entitled to their own opinions and it’s just ugliness and if they choose to be ugly that’s on them.

‘Some of them can be pretty gnarly and ugly, like I know there was one person who said that I was going to have fun chasing him around in a trailer.

‘A comment came back to that saying, ‘FYI she spent $35,000 I don’t’ think she lives in a trailer’.’

Kimberly first tied her tubes at 20 after her first three children but reversed the operation at 30 to welcome three more kids.

After Kimberley's second oldest (pictured) shared a video of her pregnancy to TikTok, Kimberly faced online trolls

After Kimberley’s second oldest (pictured) shared a video of her pregnancy to TikTok, Kimberly faced online trolls

Kimberly's eldest children Kayla and Jessica. The mother-of-seven first tied her tubes at 20 after her first three children but reversed the operation at 30 to welcome three more kids

Kimberly’s eldest children Kayla and Jessica. The mother-of-seven first tied her tubes at 20 after her first three children but reversed the operation at 30 to welcome three more kids

Kimberly watching over Tyrique in the hospital. She underwent another tubal litigation at 34 only to reverse the operation in 2019 after meeting a younger man

Kimberly watching over Tyrique in the hospital. She underwent another tubal litigation at 34 only to reverse the operation in 2019 after meeting a younger man

After this, the grandmother underwent another tubal litigation at 34 only to reverse the operation in 2019 after meeting a younger man.

The relationship didn’t work out, but, Kimberley still dreamt of having a seventh child and dedicated the next three years to falling pregnant.

She said: ‘I had a younger boyfriend, and we had talked about getting married and wanting to have a child together.

‘That’s why I decided to have the second reversal.

Despite her relationship breaking down, Kimberley was adamant that she wanted to have another baby, and spent three years trying to conceive Tyrique

Despite her relationship breaking down, Kimberley was adamant that she wanted to have another baby, and spent three years trying to conceive Tyrique 

Having separated from her ex-partner later, Kimberley still dreamt of having a seventh child and dedicated three years to falling pregnant. Pictured while pregnant with Tyrique

Having separated from her ex-partner later, Kimberley still dreamt of having a seventh child and dedicated three years to falling pregnant. Pictured while pregnant with Tyrique 

‘The boyfriend became toxic but I didn’t give up on the dream of having another child.

‘It didn’t stop because the relationship was over, I just continued the journey.

‘It’s been a really rough journey; I’ve spent about $35,000 and went through a lot.

‘Trying to find a doctor who would even sign off on it for my age when was hard.

Tyrique in Kimberly's arms. She's experienced a backlash online for giving birth at 51, but refuses to let people's opinions tear her down

Tyrique in Kimberly’s arms. She’s experienced a backlash online for giving birth at 51, but refuses to let people’s opinions tear her down 

Kimberley's children are very close and don't look on Tyrique any differently because he's not their biological brother. L-R Jessica, Kimberly, and Kayla together

Kimberley’s children are very close and don’t look on Tyrique any differently because he’s not their biological brother. L-R Jessica, Kimberly, and Kayla together

‘It’s not like just anyone would sign off on it, you have to go through a whole host of things.

‘They have to do a complete health history on you to see if it’s even possible for you to carry a child.

‘They shut down my cycles several times before we actually got to the initial transfer because when there were red flags and if they see something they’re not going to risk it.’

After suffering a placenta abruption at 32 weeks, Kimberly’s lucky charm Tyrique entered the world, with her six children excited to meet their new baby brother.

Calling Tyrique her lucky charm, Kimberly said he's getting stronger every day and she's looking forwward to bringing him home from the hospital

Calling Tyrique her lucky charm, Kimberly said he’s getting stronger every day and she’s looking forwward to bringing him home from the hospital 

Kimberley feels very fortunate that her children all have each other and feels her family is blessed. Left to right: Richard, Kimberly, Jessica and Kayla together

Kimberley feels very fortunate that her children all have each other and feels her family is blessed. Left to right: Richard, Kimberly, Jessica and Kayla together

She said: ‘My kids are very bonded and love each other very much, they won’t say that Tyrique isn’t their biological brother, they’ll say, ‘he’s my brother’.

‘They have a lot of love in their hearts and are really great kids, I’m very fortunate that they have each other. I’m blessed.

‘He’s growing every day and he’s getting stronger every day, he’s my little fighter, he’s my lucky charm.’

‘I’m looking forward to bringing him home.’

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