Four years ago, 60-year old Sheng Hailin gave birth to IF baby twins after her daughter died in an accident. The new birth of the babies also gave her hope of life.
There are over a million childless families in China right now. As many of the parents are in their later ages, the support for the elders have become a big social issue in China.
Though she has moved a few times, Sheng still keeps the pictures of her first child. "It was the worst struggle." Everytime Sheng sees these pictures, she still feels the pain and agony. It's been 4 years since her older daughter passed away. Her twin-daughters Zhizhi and Huihui, that she gave birth to are 4-year olds now. She sometimes tell the twins stories about their never-seen sister.
Sheng's first daughter Tingting was born in 1980. Like in many other only-child families in China, Tingting was very loved by her parents. Growing up, Tingting was given access to the best resources the parents could provide. She was the only treasure to the family. The daughter got married in 2008. Sheng was really happy for her daughter that she thought she could relax now has seen her daughter happily married.
However, a terrible tragedy happened during that Chinese new year. The newly weds went back to the husband's hometown for the holidays. The couple died in a gas leak accident in the husband's parents' house.
Sheng was devastated. She even thought about committing suicide. Families came comfort her, suggesting that she could have another child via itro fertilization.
Sheng did what it took to get her another baby. She followed the doctor's instructions - taking pills, visiting the hospitals and going through many tests and examinations. After 3 months of treatment, Sheng regained her fertility. On Oct. 13, 2009, Sheng took the IF operation for pregnancy. Ten months later, she gave birth to two healthy twin baby girls.
It was very brave of Sheng at the age of 60 to go through 10 months of pregnancy, which is very risky and often dangerous for the mother. She went through bleeding, major pain and swelling of the body.