The new mother, known only as "Liansao," delivered a son and daughter at Guangdong Provincial Hospital for the Protection of Mother and Child Health.

Liansao lost a son from an accident three years ago, and was eager to have a new child to replace him.

When she learned that test-tube technology can help menopausal women become pregnant, Liansao went from hospital to hospital asking doctors about the technology and how much it costs.

Quite a few doctors opposed her quest for a new baby. Some warned her of the risk of older mothers dying on the operating table.

"To hear my child say 'mom,' I kept trying despite little hope," recalled the gray-haired and wrinkled mother.

Finally, doctors from the Sino-United States cooperative Ji'ai center for heredity and infertility in Guangdong Province agreed to help her.

(eastday.com October 12, 2002)