Woman who married dying hubby regrets aborting baby

SINGAPORE - The woman who married her dying husband in hospital last month reveals that she got pregnant 15 years ago, but aborted the foetus for practical reasons.

It is a decision that she now regrets, said Madam Chua Mui Mui, 37. Mr Tay succumbed to kidney failure last Friday. He was 44.

Last month, the couple held a traditional ceremony in the intensive care unit of the National University Hospital, where Mr Tay Guan Yeow was warded.

The childless couple registered their marriage 13 years ago, but never had the chance to have a traditional wedding, until local radio station 100.3FM helped the couple fulfill their dreams.

At the wake, Madam Chua Mui Mui, 37, told Shin Min Daily News that her one regret is not keeping the baby when she found out she was pregnant 15 years ago.

She recounted how she had met her husband in 1997 after an aunt introduced them.

They became a couple soon after.

But Madam Chua, a Malaysian citizen, got a shock when she found out she was pregnant.

"We were not married yet and as I was a work permit-holder, my family was worried that I would get sent home," said Madam Chua.

After discussing with Mr Tay, they decided to abort the foetus.

"When I think about it now, I regret not keeping the baby. Our child would have been 15 by now."

Madam Chua says Mr Tay used to bring up the incident whenever he sees photos of babies in the papers, so she believes he had the same regret as well.

Before he died, Mr Tay told his wife that he wished for her to remarry.

Madam Chua also promised that she would take care of Mr Tay's beloved pet Arowana. Mr Tay was an animal-lover who used to keep more than 10 birds at home, said Madam Chua.

Even though Madam Chua does not enjoy keeping pets, she said she would continue to take care of the fish for her husband.

candicec@sph.com.sg