China, January 24, 2026: A 59-year-old woman in China made headlines after giving birth to a baby boy on January 9, 2026, becoming the oldest woman in her city to give birth, according to the South China Morning Post.
The woman, surnamed Zou, delivered a 2.2-kilogram baby via caesarean section at Zhangjiagang No. 1 People's Hospital in eastern Jiangsu province.
Zou expressed overwhelming excitement upon seeing her newborn and hearing his cries, saying she had not expected her dream to actually come true.
Zou already has an adult daughter who lives abroad. She reportedly began considering having another child around two years ago. She explained that, as time passed, she and her husband increasingly felt lonely, which led to the decision to have a baby.
After deciding, Zou began preparing her body for pregnancy under the guidance of experts. She successfully conceived last year through in vitro fertilization (IVF) technology.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common technique used in the management of patients with difficulty undergoing conception.1
Due to Zou's age, medical staff at the hospital developed a comprehensive health management plan for her pregnancy. Senior obstetrician Guo Huiping told the media that Zou was considered a "super old pregnant woman," with a high risk of pregnancy complications.
The pregnancy presented numerous challenges. Zou’s blood pressure became volatile, and she developed problems with her albumin, uric acid, and kidneys. She also experienced severe leg swelling.
Because of these complications, doctors performed a caesarean operation when Zou was 33 weeks and 5 days pregnant. Guo described Zou as brave for taking on such a formidable challenge, according to the report.
In a similar case in December, a 62-year-old woman in Jilin province attracted public attention after becoming pregnant. She reportedly wanted a second child following the death of her only son in January 2025.
Her pregnancy has been documented by her sister, who posts videos under the alias Xiao Wei.
Public responses to these stories have been mixed. One internet user questioned the necessity of the decision, suggesting that Zou might lack the energy to care for the child and that it could be cruel to the child. Another commenter remarked that the country seems to be relying on retired people to have children rather than pressuring younger generations.
Some defended the couple, with one supporter commenting, “A person needs an emotional anchor and spiritual support to live on. These are the motivations of life.”
Reference:
1. Choe J, Shanks AL. In Vitro Fertilization. [Updated 2023 Sep 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562266/
(Rh/VK)