55-year-old Udaipur woman gives birth to 17th child, family left with 12 surviving kids

Udaipur, Rajasthan: In a rare and startling case, a 55-year-old woman from Lilavas village in Udaipur’s Jhadol block gave birth to her 17th child at the local Community Health Centre. The delivery has created a stir in the village, drawing crowds of relatives and curious neighbours eager to witness the unusual sight.

The woman, Rekha, is married to scrap dealer Kavara Ram Kalbelia. Over the decades, she has given birth 17 times, but only 12 children have survived — seven sons and five daughters. Five children, including four boys and one girl, died shortly after birth.

Today, the Kalbelia household lives under one roof across three generations. “Two of my sons and three of my daughters are married, and each of them already has two or three children,” Kavara said, juggling pride and financial strain. With limited income, he admitted taking loans at high interest to meet the expenses of his children’s weddings.

Doctors called Rekha’s case a serious medical challenge. Gynaecologist Dr Roshan Darangi, who handled the delivery, revealed that the family initially claimed it was only her fourth childbirth. “Later, it was confirmed that this was her 17th. She will now be counselled for sterilisation,” he said.

Another doctor, Dr Mukesh Garasiya, explained the risks: “With so many past deliveries, the uterus becomes very weak. She could have died of haemorrhage during childbirth. It’s fortunate that this time both mother and child are safe.”

Block CMHO Dr Dharmendra stressed that the case underlines challenges in tribal-dominated rural areas, where lack of education and awareness about family planning still persist. He assured that the family would be connected to government welfare schemes for support.

Beyond the headlines, Rekha’s story has sparked mixed reactions. For some, it is a tale of resilience; for others, it highlights the pressing issues of poverty, illiteracy, and limited healthcare awareness in Rajasthan’s villages.