Chinese woman, 60, gives birth to daughter two years after son

A 60-year-old woman in central China has given birth to a baby girl, two years after welcoming a son, according to Red Star News. The girl, weighing 2.8 kilograms, was delivered by caesarean section at Zhumadian Central Hospital in Henan province on September 17. The woman, identified by her surname Zhang, previously had a son at the age of 58.

Zhang said she decided to have children after losing her only child four years ago. She told the news outlet that she was happy to have a son and daughter and believed the siblings would provide companionship for each other. Her two-year-old son, known as Guoguo, visited the hospital and sang a nursery rhyme to welcome his sister, according to the report.

Zhang said she was not concerned by criticism of her decision to have children later in life. She attributed her confidence partly to the longevity of her parents. Her father died at 100, while her 94-year-old mother remains able to see, hear and climb stairs, she said.

Zhang also said she remained active during the pregnancy, preparing meals and handling household work. Zhang Hualian, an obstetrician at the hospital, said pregnancies at Zhang’s age were rare in China. The doctor said Zhang appeared more relaxed during the latest pregnancy than during her previous one.

The report did not establish whether either pregnancy involved in-vitro fertilisation. It said Zhang’s husband had initially been concerned about her age but that she reassured him she was well. The couple’s earlier child died in 2022; the report did not give the cause of death.

It also referred to another 62-year-old woman in Jilin who had recently had a daughter after losing her only son.