A woman said to be 60 has just been delivered of a baby
at a Lagos hospital.
For 31 years, Mrs Omolara Irurhe globetrotted in search
of a child and she visited some of the best hospitals in the world.
In 2010, her journey ended in the most unlikely hospital
and country when she began an Invitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment at the St.
Ives Hospital in Lagos. On Monday, what began as a seed hope four years ago
culminated in the delivery of a bouncing baby girl.
“We treat only after strict medical check up of couples.
For us, age is not important in our decision to take her on; what was important
is the physical condition of the mother. Older women generally make better
patients in our experience,” Okewale said.
When The Nation spoke
to the new mother, she was full of enthusiasm and joy over her new baby. She
said what kept her going after many years of childlessness was faith in God and
a belief in herself.
Mrs. Irurhe said she had tried to have a baby for many
years and had gone to many hospitals both within and outside the country for a
solution to her childlessness but in 2010, her journey came to an end when she
was introduced to St. Ives Hospital and the treatment began.
“I believe we should not limit God and what the doctors
can do in this modern age. I believe this is the appointed time. I was very
hopeful throughout the years I was childless and I remained focused on God. We
went to many hospitals but we didn’t give up,” she said.
The joyful mother said her husband’s Catholic faith
prevented him from marrying a second wife as the two of them put their faith in
God.
“We didn’t have much pressure, even though our marriage
is cross cultural –I am Yoruba; my husband is Edo- but we remained hopeful,”
she said.
Desmond Adekunle Irurhe was elated at the birth of his
baby. When asked if he supported his wife going for the IVF he replied: “ I
supported her throughout because my wife was dogged and she believed in
herself. When I saw her faith, I had no choice but to go with her. She kept
telling me she would have her child”.
The husband said even though there was some pressures, it
wasn’t too much. “I wasn’t thinking of another wife. I came from a monogamous
family and I decided she is all I will have. The family was understanding too
and we fought together to get this baby.”
Irurhe praised the medical team at the hospital, saying
they made everything easy for them. “ The hospital didn’t give us any problem,
they were very helpful and we thank them for the successful delivery.”
With the successful delivery, hope rises for older women
who may want to go the way of IVF in child conception. In Nigeria, the cost of
the IVF treatment varies but from available statistics, the most expensive
treatment is under N2million. The Iruhres paid less than N1 million for their
successful treatment.
“I will advise couples who are trying to get a baby to
try the IVF. My case has rekindled hope for the barren woman. I will say the
couple should relax and take it as it comes, they will surely smile,” the
mother said.
Having a first child at the age of 60 years may not be
the norm but for the mother, it is an experience she does not mind going
through again. “ I don’t know if I will have another baby, but if the doctors
say I can, I will try it,” she said, smilling.
Mrs. Omolara Irurhe: We have tried for many years to have
a baby and after we failed to get a baby naturally we opted for the IVF. We had
gone to many hospitals before here but the treatments that we received didn’t
work. We came in contact with this hospital in 2010 before we delivered this
baby.
“I give glory to God, we kept our faith in God, we
believe this is God’s appointed time.
Mrs. Irurhe becomes the oldest IVF mother in
Africa. The global recognition for oldest IVF delivery goes to Rajo Deri Lohan,
an Indian who in 2008 was delivered of a baby at 69 years.
The IVF Unit at St. Ives Hospital successfully aided the
conception and delivery of the baby and has now equaled the United Kingdom’s
record of IVF age delivery.
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