Chinese woman, 60, gives birth to second child in 2 years, sparking debate

A 60-year-old woman in China has captured attention on social media for giving birth to a baby girl, just two years after welcoming a son.

She made the decision to have children at a later stage in life after enduring the loss of her only child four years ago, as reported by the Red Star News.

The infant girl, weighing 2.8kg, was born on September 17 through caesarean section at Zhumadian Central Hospital in Henan province, central China.

Her mother, identified by the surname Zhang, expressed her joy, stating: “I am so happy! I have a son and a daughter. My life is so fulfilling. The two kids will keep each other company and won’t feel lonely.”

Her two-year-old son, affectionately nicknamed Guoguo, was excited to meet his baby sister, singing a popular nursery rhyme to welcome her at the hospital.

Zhang shared her perspective, saying she feels youthful and is unconcerned about the disapproval from others regarding her choice to have children at an older age.

“In my eyes, I am only 28 years old. I believe I can live a long life,” she remarked.

Her confidence in her health stems from her family’s legacy of longevity.

“My father passed away at 100, and my mother is currently 94 with good vision and hearing. She can even climb stairs on her own. I believe I am as healthy as they are. I’m confident that by the time I die, my children will be grown and married,” Zhang added.

It remains unclear whether her pregnancies involved in vitro fertilisation.

Zhang Hualian, an obstetrician at the hospital, noted: “She had a son at 58 and a daughter at 60. Pregnancies at her age are rare in China.”

The doctor commented on Zhang’s upbeat demeanour during her latest pregnancy, stating: “She appeared more relaxed than during her previous pregnancy.”

Zhang mentioned that she prepared meals and managed household chores while carrying her fetus. Initially, her husband had reservations about her decision to have children, concerned about her age. Zhang reassured him by asserting: “I’m fine with this.”

Previously, the couple had only one child, like many families in China. This child, whose gender was not specified, tragically died in 2022, although the cause of death was not mentioned in the report.

News reports frequently highlight families who have lost their only child and subsequently choose to have children later in life.

Earlier this year, a 62-year-old woman in northeastern China’s Jilin province also welcomed a baby girl one year after the death of her only son.

“No one understands my sister’s insistence. No one understands the pain of losing her only child,” the woman’s sister said on social media.