In a major medical breakthrough, a 63-year-old woman from China gave birth to a baby girl via in vitro fertilization (IVF) on March 4 – a year after she lost her only child. According to a report by the South China Morning Post, a woman who lives in northeastern China gave birth to her baby by caesarean section at a hospital in Songyuan, Jilin Province, two weeks before her due date.
The report further states that both mother and child are in good health. A woman was heartbroken after the death of her 35-year-old son from cancer.
Coping with loss
“After the death of my son, my husband and I were speechless,” the woman was quoted as saying in the report. “There was a heavy atmosphere in our house.
“Since I became pregnant, we have experienced joy every day. Without this baby, we would not have the strength to continue,” she added.
Choosing IVF despite the risks
In search of emotional and spiritual strength, she decided to undergo IVF despite her advanced age and health risks. She also said that longevity runs in her family, noting that both of her parents lived past 90 years.
“So there’s no reason to think I won’t live to be 80. Plus, my nephew has promised to take care of my baby when my husband and I are gone,” she said. “It gives me comfort to know that my child will have someone to rely on whether we’re here or not.
“I was so happy. I finally met my baby. I feel like my son is back.”
Doctors say mother and baby are healthy
According to the report, her health is better than many younger people. She is also breastfeeding her newborn.
Debate on social networks
Her decision sparked widespread debate on Chinese social media, with many raising concerns about the risks associated with pregnancy at an older age.
“Salute to this brave sister! The baby gives her motivation to live,” said one user. She also received criticism, with another user commenting: “She is selfish. When the child reaches adulthood, her parents will already be 80 years old. The child will be burdened with caring for old parents at such a young age.”
In a similar incident last year, a 66-year-old woman from Germany gave birth to her 10th child.
Her youngest son, Philipp, was born on March 19 by caesarean section at Berlin’s Charité hospital. The newborn, who weighed seven pounds and 13 ounces, was given oxygen to support breathing, although his mother claimed he was “conceived naturally and without difficulty.”
The birth marked Hildebrandt’s eighth child since age 53. “A large family is not only wonderful, but above all, it is important for the proper upbringing of children,” she said in an email interview with TODAY.com.
