A 59-year-old woman in Jiangsu gave birth via IVF, setting a local record. Motivated by loneliness with her adult daughter abroad, she pursued the high-risk pregnancy. The successful delivery sparked online debate over age, risk, and parenthood rights.
A 59-year-old woman in eastern China has made headlines after successfully giving birth to a baby boy, becoming the oldest woman in her city to deliver a child through IVF treatment.
The baby was born earlier this month via caesarean section at a major public hospital in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province.
Doctors said the newborn weighed about 2.2 kilograms and is currently in stable condition, receiving routine postnatal care.
Why she decided to have another child
The woman, identified only by her surname Zou, already has an adult daughter who lives overseas. As the years passed, Zou and her husband found their home growing quieter. With their daughter living far away and few close relatives nearby, the couple began to feel increasingly lonely.
After long discussions with her family, Zou decided to try for another child — despite her age. She reportedly said that the idea had stayed in her heart for years, but she only gathered the courage to act on it recently.
A risky decision
Zou underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) around two years ago. Doctors involved in the case described the pregnancy as high-risk, noting that pregnancies at such an advanced age require constant monitoring and careful planning.
Throughout the pregnancy, Zou attended frequent medical check-ups and followed strict health guidelines. Medical staff said the delivery was challenging but ultimately successful, calling it a rare and memorable case.
"Like a miracle"
Zou said she was overwhelmed with emotion when she heard her baby cry for the first time.
She admitted that even during pregnancy, she sometimes struggled to believe it was really happening.
She joked that being pregnant at nearly 60 made her feel "like a panda," drawing attention wherever she went. Still, she said the joy of welcoming new life outweighed the physical exhaustion and social pressure.
Public reaction
News of Zou's childbirth quickly spread online, sparking heated discussion. Some praised her courage and determination, saying everyone has the right to choose when to have children.
Others raised concerns about health risks, the challenges of raising a child at an older age, and long-term responsibilities.
Medical experts have reminded the public that while IVF can make pregnancy possible at later ages, it is not without serious risks and should be carefully considered on a case-by-case basis.
A record for the city
At 59, Zou is now officially recognized as the oldest woman in Zhangjiagang to give birth, a record that highlights both the possibilities and limits of modern reproductive medicine.
For Zou, however, the title matters less than the outcome. "What matters most," she said, "is that my child arrived safely."
Source:https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/01/23/lonely-chinese-woman-59-becomes-oldest-in-her-city-to-give-birth-after-ivf-treatment
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