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Elderly Hong Kong resident becomes pregnant at 58, fueling optimism among older women while raising concerns over potential risks

A woman aged 58 from Hong Kong is pregnant, fueling aspirations among older females desiring motherhood yet simultaneously stirring apprehension due to potential hazards associated with childbirth in later life.

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4 min read
Older woman's pregnancy in Hong Kong stirs debate: While some find it inspiring for older women...
Older woman's pregnancy in Hong Kong stirs debate: While some find it inspiring for older women wishing to become mothers, it also raises questions about the potential health risks associated with giving birth later in life.

Elderly Hong Kong resident becomes pregnant at 58, fueling optimism among older women while raising concerns over potential risks

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Hong Kong's latest news is buzzing with the pregnancy of a 58-year-old woman, raising discussions about older women bearing children and the associated risks. The expectant mother, Chan Lai-lai, is the wife of local actor Brian Wong Chak-fung, and their news has lent hope to numerous women in their age bracket in the city.

In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Chan revealed that she received numerous private messages expressing hope and encouragement, with some women having given up after their initial attempts with IVF. Chan advised these women not to lose hope and to cultivate a positive mindset to try again, acknowledging that adjustment time would be necessary.

Chan's pregnancy has sparked demands for the government to implement more measures aiding older women in childbirth, such as allowing them to store embryos for an unlimited period.

Besides IVF, Chan also received injections to enhance her chances of pregnancy and ensure the fetus' health. Urging women considering IVF, Chan emphasized the need to assess their ability to cope with the likelihood of repeated failures and the financial implications. She admired the determination and sacrifice required to succeed.

According to Dr Law Chi-lim, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, the oldest woman he ever assisted during labor was 48, resulting from spontaneous conception, which is uncommon.

"It's incredibly difficult for a woman in her fifties to conceive," said Law, citing the term "advanced maternal age" used to describe anyone 35 or older who is pregnant.

In Hong Kong, the median age for new mothers has increased from 24.4 years in 1976 to 32.9 years in 2023. A study by the Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists revealed that the proportion of women in labor aged over 40 has risen from 4.5% in 2004 to 10.7% in 2014.

In Chan's case, her decision to have another child was influenced by her elder daughter, who wished for a sibling. Chan carried her first child with gestational eczema, relatively high blood pressure, and pre-eclampsia at delivery. After experiencing a miscarriage last year, Chan underwent IVF treatment in Taiwan this year, with a cost of HK$200,000, including daily abdomen injections.

Risks Involved

Dr Law shed light on the risks associated with conceiving and giving birth at age 40 and above. Women are more likely to miscarry, even when the initial attempt is successful, with a 40% chance of miscarriage. It is why the government's scientifically-assisted reproduction program typically does not accept women over 40.

Yu Kai-man, another specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, added that preeclampsia could occur in about one out of every 100 pregnant women, with a higher likelihood for women of advanced maternal age. To prevent preeclampsia, several medications like low-dose aspirin and heparin could be used. However, progesterone taken to prevent preterm birth might not be effective for all women, and its benefits should be weighed carefully.

According to recent studies, the risk of miscarriage for pregnant women aged 45 or above increases to 40%, and the risk of stillbirth for women aged 40 or above is three times greater than that of women under 35. Furthermore, the success rate of helping older patients sustain their pregnancies drops significantly, reaching only 8.4% for those between 41 and 45 years old.

It's important to consider the heightened risks and take necessary measures to optimize preconception health, adopt a healthy lifestyle, manage stress, and receive regular prenatal care to ensure the best possible outcome. Genetic counseling and screening can also provide valuable insights and help make informed decisions. Overall, advanced maternal age introduces additional risks to pregnancy and childbirth, but diligent care, lifestyle changes, and medical intervention can help support a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

  1. The pregnancy of a 58-year-old woman in Hong Kong has raised discussions about workplace-wellness and the risks associated with older women bearing children.
  2. The expectant mother, Chan Lai-lai, is advising women who have given up on IVF not to lose hope and to cultivate a positive mindset to try again.
  3. The news of Chan's pregnancy has sparked demands for the government to implement more measures aiding older women in childbirth, such as allowing them to store embryos for an unlimited period.
  4. Chan received numerous private messages expressing hope and encouragement, with some women having given up after their initial attempts with IVF.
  5. In her interview, Chan emphasized the need to assess their ability to cope with the likelihood of repeated failures and the financial implications of IVF.
  6. Dr Law Chi-lim, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, stated that the oldest woman he ever assisted during labor was 48, resulting from spontaneous conception, which is uncommon.
  7. The median age for new mothers in Hong Kong has increased from 24.4 years in 1976 to 32.9 years in 2023.
  8. In Chan's case, her decision to have another child was influenced by her elder daughter, who wished for a sibling.
  9. Chan carried her first child with gestational eczema, relatively high blood pressure, and pre-eclampsia at delivery.
  10. Dr Law shed light on the risks associated with conceiving and giving birth at age 40 and above, citing a 40% chance of miscarriage when the initial attempt is successful.
  11. Preeclampsia could occur in about one out of every 100 pregnant women, with a higher likelihood for women of advanced maternal age.
  12. According to recent studies, the risk of miscarriage for pregnant women aged 45 or above increases to 40%, and the risk of stillbirth for women aged 40 or above is three times greater than that of women under 35.
  13. To optimize preconception health, it's important to adopt a healthy lifestyle, manage stress, and receive regular prenatal care, while genetic counseling and screening can provide valuable insights for informed decisions in womens-health.

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