SHE had wanted a second child badly for many years but all she could do was dream.

Still, Malaysian Chen Xiuyun, 46, a businesswoman, did not give up.

Not even after four miscarriages.

In 1998, she followed the doctor's advice to freeze her embryo and improve her health before getting pregnant.

Ten years later, her dream finally came true.

On 30 Dec last year, she gave birth to their newborn girl Huijing. The 10-year-wait is believed to be a record in Malaysia, reported Guang Ming Daily.

On Monday, Madam Chen and her husband MrHuang Jinjun, 47, were all smiles when they met reporters.

The couple's first child is now 20.

In jest, they told reporters that Huijing was 'made in 1998' but only 'registered as a product in 2008'.

Said Madam Chen: 'I waited for 10 years. This would have been my last attempt if we had been unsuccessful.'

In 1993, five years after the birth of their first child, the couple decided to have a second one.

However, they were unable to conceive naturally. 'My body was too weak,' said Madam Chen.

So, they opted for medical aid. She tried to conceive artificially eight times, but had four miscarriages.

In 1995, she had conceived a pair of twins, but her double joy became double heartbreak after realising that it was an ectopic pregnancy (a complication in which the baby develops outside the womb).

To be sure, it was also becoming a drain financially. Each attempt costs between RM3,000 ($1,300) and RM20,000.

But now they are in seventh heaven.

To commemorate the birth of her second child, she even went to a photo studio to take a family album with her husband and older daughter.

Imitating pregnant celebrities, Madam Chen decided to bare her bulging tummy in the photoshoot.

Although she's aware that it's risky for her to give birth at her age, Madam Chen is not stopping at two. When asked, she told reporters: 'No, it's not enough, I'll not stop till I'm 49.'

Madam Chen said she is not worried as she has full confidence in medical science.

She said: 'During my parents' time, giving birth at 49 wasn't a problem too.'

Ready for 3rd, 4th child

The birth of Huijing has boosted confidence in her health. Madam Chen said she will be trying to conceive her third or even fourth child naturally.

She believes that she is ready.

Said Madam Chen: 'For the sake of child-bearing, I had kept a healthy lifestyle. I kept to less oil, less sugar and less salt. I abstained from alcohol and cigarettes.

'I don't over-eat. I stop when I'm 70-per-cent full and I also exercise frequently.'

Dr Zhang Shaoqiang, the doctor who advised Madam Chen to freeze her embryo then, was also the doctor-in-charge for her second successful pregnancy.

He said that every year, about 2,000 to 3,000 Malaysian couples seek aid to conceive artificially. The success rate is up to 50 per cent.

He said: 'Theoretically, frozen embryos can be kept up to 50 or even 100 years as long as they are not harmed by ultraviolet rays.'

This article was first published in The New Paper on Feb 5, 2009.