The pregnancy of 58-year-old Chan Lai-lai, wife of Hong Kong actor Brian Wong Chak-fung, has inspired many women while also reigniting debate over the risks of late-life childbirth. Chan, who is expecting her second daughter via in vitro fertilisation (IVF) this September, said her story has given hope to older women struggling with fertility.
“Many have messaged me privately, saying they felt inspired. Some had already given up after one attempt,” Chan said. “I told them that quitting after one try takes away the chance of success. A positive mindset and time for emotional adjustment are essential.”
Chan conceived through IVF, a method of assisted reproduction, after experiencing a miscarriage last year. Her treatment, done in Taiwan, cost around HK$200,000 (US$25,716), including daily abdominal injections and additional hormonal therapies to improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy.
Her story has gained public attention amid growing calls for Hong Kong’s government to provide more support for older women, including extending embryo storage limits. Chan urged women considering IVF to carefully evaluate whether they are emotionally and financially prepared for the process, which she described as demanding and stressful.
Medical professionals, however, remain cautious. Dr Law Chi-lim, an obstetrics and gynaecology specialist, noted that pregnancies in women over 50 are extremely rare and challenging. “Advanced maternal age” officially begins at 35, and the oldest patient he has helped deliver a child was 48, through natural conception—a highly unusual case.
Hong Kong has seen a significant increase in older mothers. The median age of first-time mothers rose from 24.4 years in 1976 to 32.9 years in 2023. A study by the Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists found that women over 40 accounted for 10.7 per cent of births in 2014, up from 4.5 per cent in 2004.
Chan’s first child was born in 2019 when she was 52. That pregnancy came with complications, including gestational eczema, high blood pressure, and pre-eclampsia—a potentially life-threatening condition marked by high blood pressure and protein in the urine. These risks are significantly higher for older pregnant women.
Dr Yu Kai-man, another specialist, noted that pre-eclampsia occurs in about one in every 100 pregnancies but is more common with increasing age. Preventive treatments like low-dose aspirin and heparin can help, though other medications, like progesterone, may not be effective for everyone.
Statistics from the Hong Kong government indicate that about one in five pregnant women in the city is of advanced maternal age, and one in 20 is over 40—one of the highest rates globally. According to Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau, the risk of miscarriage rises to 40 per cent for women aged 45 or older, and the risk of stillbirth for women over 40 is three times higher than for those under 35.
Despite the odds, Chan remains a symbol of determination. Her journey, though medically complex and emotionally taxing, continues to inspire hope among older women dreaming of motherhood.
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Source: My News
