By Denise Tsang

Copyright scmp

A Hong Kong woman who has once again defied the odds by having a second child at the age of 58 says the journey was far from easy, but hopes her story will inspire older childless couples not to give up on their dream of starting a family.
Lilian Chan Lai-lai, 58, gave birth to her second daughter in August after she went through two rounds of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in Taiwan and received fortnightly injections across the border to help sustain the pregnancy.
A part-time Muay Thai coach for children, Chan credited modern medicine for making her pregnancy possible at her age and told the Post that she hoped her experience would inspire other women facing similar challenges.
Chan had her first child when she was 53, but she and her husband Brian Wong Chak-fung, who is also 58, had long dreamed of a family of four.
That wish finally came true with the birth of their second child, Gia Wong Hay-kiu, on August 22.
“I am happy, my family feels complete now,” Wong said.
The couple’s milestone was not without its challenges.
Alongside the medical hurdles, Chan and Wong found themselves the target of criticism on social media.
While many congratulated the parents, some accused them of being irresponsible for choosing to raise children at their age. Others alleged that the parents wanted to cash in on their children’s fame by becoming social media influencers.
“There were some mean comments, but we ignored them,” Wong said. “We only ever wanted to grow our family. I would have been just as happy if we had a son.”
Chan and Wong married when they were both 43 and spent years trying unsuccessfully to conceive.
“We had tried repeatedly to have a baby, but in vain,” Wong said.
Chan was then told she would not be able to conceive naturally at her age, and the dream to have a baby was set aside until 2019, when she unexpectedly became pregnant at 53.

Their first daughter was born that year, and the parents named her Miracle in tribute to her arrival.
After Miracle’s birth, Chan and her husband still wanted another child, so they sat down with their daughter and held what they called a “family discussion”.
“When Miracle was four years old, she asked me when she could have a sibling, so we sat down together and talked it over,” Chan said.
After the family decided they wanted another child, Chan consulted fertility experts in Taiwan and underwent two rounds of IVF last year, spending about HK$200,000 (US$25,700).
Once pregnant, she received injections twice a month in Shenzhen to help the fetus develop, right up until a month before delivery.
“It was a very crucial journey and both of us had to be focused and take care of each other,” Wong said.
Gia’s birth comes against the backdrop of a rapidly ageing population and low birth rate in Hong Kong. Since the news broke at the beginning of September, scores of couples in their 40s and 50s have reached out to Wong for advice.
“Technology can help make it happen,” he said, while warning that “it takes two to tango”.
“Even if a woman wants to have a baby, her husband needs to support her, or it will be a difficult journey,” he said.
Asked how they intended to sustain themselves financially, Chan said the couple had insurance policies in place and would draw on their pensions once they turned 65.
Wong said he enjoyed the daily routine of driving Miracle to class in the mornings, cooking and taking her lunch to school, and caring for Chan, who has just completed her month-long postpartum recovery.
“My goal for 2025 has been accomplished,” he said.
Now six years old, Miracle is lively and athletic, training with her dad, who works not only as an actor but also as a Muay Thai coach, referee and swimming teacher.
Although excited to have a younger sister, Miracle was still adapting to her presence, Chan said. “The other day, she jumped onto the couch unaware that the baby was sleeping there,” she said.
While Miracle was very affectionate to her sister, kissing her face and grabbing her tiny hands, she complained that the baby was not interacting with her.
“She does not like me,” Miracle said.
But Chan explained that Gia was mostly sleepy whenever Miracle tried to get her attention and would cover her face and pull her hands away.
When asked what she wanted to do for her parents as she grew up, Miracle said she would take her mum on a holiday, buy a better car to accommodate baby Gia and cook for her father.
For their part, Chan and Wong are determined to teach their daughters the virtues of hard work and shape their characters with healthy values. The couple themselves will keep physically fit to support the family.