It has been heard that unplanned or unexpected pregnancies come as a shock. Visits to the doctor, thinking you have one thing and walking out knowing another. In 1827, Mrs Webb got the shock of her life when she gave birth to her first child at the age of 60.
“Mrs. Webb, of No.15, Bowyer-lane, Camberwell, a married woman, who keeps a little school, and is now in the sixtieth year of her age, was on Thursday night the 7th inst. brought to bed of a girl, after having been for some time treated for the dropsy, by Dr. Walshman; both the mother and infant are likely to do well. It is singular that Mrs. Webb had never before been in the family way: she consequently made no preparations for such an event, but was expected to die of the decline of life. Her husband, a labouring man, is older than herself, and she has occupied her present dwelling for the period of 42 years.- English Chronicle, June 12.”
Stamford Mercury, 15 June, 1827.