Michelle Cisco-Pinheiro was told she would never be able to have children due to the amount of surgeries she had and her being infertile. However, when she was 47, she was handed the unexpected news
A woman who was told she could never have children got the shock of her life after a £1 pregnancy test from Temu revealed she was expecting. Michelle Cisco-Pinheiro was informed by doctors that it would be “impossible” for her to have children after she had cervical cancer at 18.
Later, Michelle was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, her world was turned upside down when she began feeling unusually hungry in April 2024, a sensation she hadn’t felt since having a gastric sleeve fitted years prior.
She eventually decided to use a pregnancy test she had purchased from Temu for $1.50 (approximately £1.10). To Michelle’s astonishment, the result was positive, and she gave birth to Emmanuel Zane in January this year.
Speaking to What’s The Jam, the 48-year-old said: “I honestly thought it was impossible. I’d prayed about it for years, but eventually I accepted I’d never be a mum.
“Then suddenly, just before my 47th birthday, I took one of those cheap tests, and it said I was pregnant. I thought it had to be faulty.
“When I showed my husband, Nilton, he thought I was pranking him. I’d already taken about 10 of them – every single one was positive.
“When it sank in, we both cried. We just couldn’t believe it. After everything, it was the biggest miracle of my life.”
Michelle, residing in Augusta, Georgia, USA, with her 38 year old partner Nilton, reveals that the initial five months of her pregnancy were smooth sailing. However, she experienced several instances of pre-term labour towards the end of her pregnancy.
Despite being categorised as high-risk, she welcomed her son Emmanuel four weeks early in a “fast and overwhelming” birth. While she feels fortunate to have had a son, she admits facing criticism for becoming a mother later in life.
She shared: “One woman actually said to my face, ‘I thought your husband would’ve left you by now.’ I couldn’t believe it. After everything I had been through, for someone to say that was beyond cruel.
“Some people even told me I should get an abortion because of my age. They said it wasn’t fair to the baby or that I wouldn’t cope. People can be really cruel.”
However, Michelle believes that she is more patient with Emmanuel than she would have been in her 20s and 30s. She elaborated: “I feel like I’m a better parent now than I ever would’ve been in my 20s.
“Back then, I was silly and immature. Now I’m grounded, more patient, and I can give Emmanuel everything he deserves.
“My ultimate goal now is to be at home with him. Work isn’t as important as these moments. I want to be there for everything – crawling, rolling over, walking. I just feel so lucky to finally be his mum.
“Every little milestone feels incredible. From his first smile to his first tooth, I cherish it all. I don’t want to miss a single thing – he’s my miracle.”
Whilst she reckons her age has made her a brilliant mum, Michelle confesses she was “absolutely terrified” when she discovered she was expecting at 47. One of her initial concerns was that she’d be the “oldest in the playground”.She explained: “All my friends are grandparents now.
My friends from high school have kids graduating high school and college – and I’m just starting. I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m going to be the grandma on the playground.
‘”I was ecstatic but scared. The flip side of having a baby later in life is that you do worry more – I worry about his childcare, I worry about everything.
“When you’re younger, you’re silly and carefree, but now I’m cautious about everything. Every day with Emmanuel feels like a gift.
“I may have started later than most, but being his mum now is perfect timing. I wouldn’t change a single thing – he’s my miracle, and I finally feel complete.”