ALS patient gives birth to baby boy (3)

（Xinhua）  11:14, January 31, 2013  

Most health specialists believe it is too risky for ALS patients to become pregnant. But Lyu, knowing her disease was fatal, said she felt it was important to have a child to keep her husband company after she dies.

"The child will make our family complete like all other families. That is the happiest thing I can think of," she said in an interview she gave before giving birth.

The couple arrived in Beijing in late December but were turned away by several hospitals, as doctors feared her disease could cause respiratory failure during the Cesarean section and prove fatal for both mother and child.

After their story was covered by local media, the Aviation General Hospital offered to perform a Cesarean section for Lyu, as well as shoulder all of her medical costs.

Lyu was hospitalized on Jan. 22 and underwent a wide range of checkups to prepare for her surgery.