When Huang Liyan (transliterated), 43, was pregnant with her eighth child, she was shocked to learn that her baby had an extremely rare developmental disorder and might die at birth.

But she and her husband, Lin Youjing (transliterated), 54, did not give up on their baby.

This was despite doctors repeatedly advising them to terminate the pregnancy.

In an interview with Shin Min Daily News, Huang said that the couple, who are Catholics, believed their child was a blessing from God and wanted to face the situation head-on.

Rare developmental disorder

The couple currently have eight children aged between one and 12.

Huang recalled that during a prenatal checkup at 12 weeks into her eighth pregnancy, doctors detected fetal abnormalities.

These included short limbs, an abnormally sized chest cavity, and abnormal blood test indicators, all of which suggested the baby had a physical defect.

Huang said that even though they were very shocked because their previous seven children had all been born healthy, they "never thought about giving up".

Instead, they focused on what treatment or intervention options were available.

She recalled that the doctor repeatedly advised the couple to terminate the pregnancy and would often ask during prenatal appointments whether they were certain about continuing with it.

"At that time, I was even a little afraid to go for prenatal checkups and face the doctor, because I feared hearing more bad news each time," she said.

Prepared for the worst

However, the couple never considered ending the pregnancy and instead chose to face the situation head-on.

As all prenatal test results indicated that their baby was highly likely to die at birth, the couple was referred to neonatal palliative care.

Huang described her emotions at the time as deeply conflicted.

“On one hand, we were preparing a crib and other necessities in anticipation of her birth. On the other hand, we had to discuss arrangements with the doctors in case she died, fearing that the first time we saw her would also be the last,” she said.

A miracle

Miraculously, their baby was successfully delivered at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital in January 2025.

After spending two months in the intensive care unit, she was discharged under the careful care of the medical staff.

Today, one-year-old Lin Zhemin (transliterated) mainly relies on a ventilator, humidifier, and oxygen concentrator to help her breathe.

Due to a previous episode of sleep apnea, she also needs to carry an oxygen cylinder whenever she goes out.

Huang said doctors are still unable to accurately predict how her daughter’s condition will develop in the future.

“But we have always cherished every day we spend with her,” she said.