A 59-year-old woman in China has given birth to a baby boy and in the process realised her dream of having another child because her daughter lives abroad, making her and her husband feel lonely.
On January 9, the infant was born via caesarean section at Zhangjiagang No 1 People’s Hospital in eastern Jiangsu province, weighing 2.2kg.
His mother, surnamed Zou, has set a record as the oldest pregnant woman in the city, according to a report by the local news outlet jsnews.org.cn.
“Seeing the baby and hearing his cries, I am so excited. I did not expect that my dream would come true,” Zou was quoted as saying.
The woman, who already has an adult daughter, said she came up with the idea of having another child two years ago.
“My daughter lives abroad. As time goes by, my husband and I often feel lonely,” said Zou.
After she made the decision, she started adjusting her health to prepare for the pregnancy.
Last year, Zou conceived thanks to the in vitro fertilisation (IVF) technology.
As she took the prenatal examination at the hospital, the doctors made a comprehensive health management plan for her due to her age.
“Zou is 59 and is a super old pregnant woman, with the risks of pregnancy complications and an abnormal foetus increasing remarkably,” Guo Huiping, a senior obstetrician at the hospital, told the media.
“They regularly sent me messages to remind me of my health condition. I feel I am like a panda, being carefully protected by doctors,” said Zou.
While the pregnancy developed, Zou faced huge challenges. Her blood pressure rose and became volatile. Her albumin, uric acid and kidneys also had problems. Also, her legs became seriously swollen.
Doctors decided to carry out the caesarean operation when Zou was 33 weeks and 5 days pregnant.
“She is a brave mother to take this formidable challenge,” said Guo.
Details about Zou’s husband or her daughter were not released in the report.
Stories about women who give birth at an old age often captivate mainland social media.
In December, a woman in Jilin province, northeastern China, attracted public attention for falling pregnant at the age of 62.
She said she wanted to have a second child because her son, an only child, died in January 2025.
The Beijing municipal health authority announced that from this year, retired women can have their prenatal examination fees reimbursed by the public health insurance scheme.
It is widely seen as a measure to support this group of women to have more children amid a rapidly ageing society.
The 59-year-old story stoked a heated online discussion.
“I do not think it is necessary for her to do so. She will find she does not have enough energy to look after the child and it is also cruel for the child,” one internet user said.
While another person said: “Our country can rely on those retired people to have children, rather than pressuring the younger generation. They have time and pensions. What a perfect solution.” -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
