National Telescope national telescope newspaper
After 31 years of marriage without having a child, 62-year-old Mrs. Fummi Akinade gave birth to a boy in a private hospital in Lagos.
The infant was conceived using in vitro fertilization (IVF) and delivered at 37 weeks on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, through cesarean surgery.
Akinade talked to reporters about her experience following birth, stating that she married her husband in 1992 but had trouble getting pregnant despite having several gynecological treatments, including three failed IVF cycles.
Thankfully, their fourth effort at IVF worked, and they were able to experience the joy of parenting that they had long desired.
Although the prior IVF attempts were carried out at other locations, Akinade stated that it was in this specific hospital that they finally achieved their dream.
She appreciated her husband for his unwavering support and added that both of them remained hopeful and optimistic that God would bless them with a child.
“Even when I felt it was already too late to be possible, God, in His infinite mercy, made it possible for me in my lifetime. I return all glory to Him,” Akinade, whose baby was conceived through In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), said in an interview.
“When someone is looking for the fruit of the womb, the person will be moving from one hospital or gynaecologist to another, undergoing a series of gynaecological investigations and treatments,” the new mother said.
Speaking further, she said, “Even when I felt it was already too late to be possible, God in His infinite mercy made it possible for me in my lifetime. I return all glory to Him.
“Two major factors that kept motivating me all along are my husband’s support and one particular book that I usually read.”
Meanwhile, Akinade urged couples who desire children to stand strong and have faith in God as they pursue appropriate medical assistance, adding that financial constraints pose a significant hurdle in their quest for parenthood, noting the high costs associated with fertility treatments.
Similarly, an appeal is made for the government to consider subsidizing the expenses of IVF and other fertility procedures, particularly for economically disadvantaged couples.
“Fertility treatment is quite expensive – whether IVF or whatever. A lot of couples out there are childless and do not have the financial capacity to go for them,” she said.
Explaining from a professional point of view, a Consultant Gynecologist who delivered the baby, Dr Ayodele Ademola, said that a woman above 62 years could still conceive through IVF or other innovative methods of assisted pregnancy.
The Medical Director of the hospital, Ademola, also said that numerous childless couples can still conceive with appropriate medical assistance.
He explained the primary obstacles faced by individuals undergoing IVF are the financial commitment and the apprehension of potential failure.
“Even if the IVF fails, there are other innovative methods of assisted pregnancy to offer, including surrogacy – that’s bringing another person to carry the pregnancy in situations where the woman is unable to carry it.
“Aside from the surrogacy approach, there are other advanced methods.
“Our motive is to achieve that desired result and ensure that the woman is happy, satisfied and gets value for the money spent.
“Regarding the controversy about whether old women can conceive, there are advanced innovative methods through which they can be helped to have babies,” he said.
