A 63-year-old woman has reportedly given birth after the untimely death of her son from cancer prompted her to try for another child.
A hospital official confirmed on Wednesday (4 Mar) that the unnamed pensioner had delivered a baby girl.
The couple’s son developed a tumour at 35 and passed away about a year ago.
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The tragedy convinced them, despite their advanced parental age, to try again.
The woman reportedly said that had their son been married with children, she would not have risked her life for another child.
Initially, none of their family members – including a hospital worker – supported the idea, citing the high risks at her age.
But she went against their advice. “I just felt that my child was meant to come back,” she said.
When asked before giving birth whether she preferred a boy or a girl, she replied: “Whatever heaven gives me is fine.”
Her parents are both in their nineties, giving her hope she could live long enough to see her daughter grow up, as reported by Need To Know.
She also has a backup plan – if she and her husband are no longer around, her nephew and his new wife have promised to raise the child as their own.
“Although my hair is white, my prenatal doctors all said my health is even better than some young people’s,” the woman added.
The Songyuan Fuhua Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital in Songyuan, China, has confirmed the birth, noting she is the oldest mother the facility has ever admitted.
Both mother and daughter, who weighed 6lb 3oz at birth, are reportedly healthy.
Footage shows the mother beaming from ear to ear as she first laid eyes on her little one.
Globally, the oldest recorded mother is Erramatti Mangayamma, an Indian woman who delivered twins via C-section at age 74 in September 2019 using IVF with donor eggs.
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