A doctor said Friday he had no regrets about helping a teacher become possibly the world's oldest woman to give birth, even though he now faces an ethics investigation.

Bogdan Marinescu, a former health minister who now heads the Giulesti Maternity Hospital, told The Associated Press in an interview that he only helped Adriana Iliescu become pregnant because he respected her "special desire" to become a mother.

At 66, Iliescu, a university professor and a writer of children's books, is believed to be the world's oldest person to become a mother.

She gave birth Sunday to 3 pound, 3 ounce Eliza Maria, who was born about six weeks short of a full term. A twin sister was stillborn.

Iliescu was impregnated by in vitro fertilization using sperm and an egg from anonymous donors. Her daughter was delivered by Cesarean section.

The baby is eating formula through a dropper, and got her birth certificate Friday, Marinescu said. Iliescu will probably leave the hospital next week, and her daughter will be released in about a month, he said.

The baby "has a strong desire for life, just like her mother," Marinescu said.
A gynecologist since 1968, Marinescu called Iliescu "exceptional" from a mental and biological standpoint.

"I am medically satisfied that I could fulfill this woman's desire to become a mother," he said.

In Romania, the birth sparked criticism from authorities and commentators, who accused Marinescu of experimenting for the sake of breaking records — an allegation he denies. The officials and commentators also expressed concern that Iliescu is too old to care for a child.

"I have no regrets," Marinescu said. "But I regret the (heated) discussions about the issue which should be carried out in a calm manner."

Marinescu also faces an investigation to determine whether his treatment of Iliescu violated medical ethics.

But supporters say Eliza Maria was a desperately wanted baby and will be well cared for, unlike many babies from unwanted pregnancies.

The birth also sparked discussion around the world on the ethics of helping older women become pregnant. Since Iliescu delivered her child, critics have called for stricter guidelines on who can receive in vitro treatment.

Romania has no law stipulating a maximum age for in vitro fertilization, but a draft law awaiting parliamentary approval bans fertility treatment for women who are above normal reproductive age.

Marinescu declined to comment about the proposed law.

Defending Iliescu, a delicate woman with black hair, he said: "She shouldn't be scrutinized like she's some kind of dragonfly."