In vitro fertilisation, a method of conception for couples that cannot
have their own babies, is becoming increasingly popular nowadays. So
far, over one million babies have been conceived through the test tube
method globally.
Even in Nigeria, where many couples who have fertility challenges are
yet to access IVF, over 40,000 babies have been born through the
procedure.
Infertility among women and men is on the rise, hence the growing
popularity of this procedure.
For instance, Patricia Jibor had given up on all hopes of ever having
her own baby, what with the verdict from her doctors that it would be
a miracle if she ever conceives.
Why did the doctors give a harsh judgment? Jibor had two ectopic
pregnancies that ruptured her fallopian tubes.
The fallopian tube, according to the medical dictionary, is the tube
that carries an egg from the ovary to the uterus (womb). Jibor says
after the physician's diagnosis, she waited and hoped for seven years
before she sought help for her situation.
She said, "The first time I conceived, it was an ectopic pregnancy
which ruptured the first fallopian tube. Two years after, I got
pregnant again, it was another ectopic pregnancy which ruptured the
second tube.
"My doctor then told me it would be impossible for me to get pregnant,
because the tubes that should carry fertilised eggs from the ovaries
to the womb have been destroyed. The import of the diagnosis didn't
sink till seven years later when I had yet to conceive."
With many impossibilities becoming possible with science, Jibor has
now given birth to a baby girl through an assisted reproduction
technology known as In Vitro Fertilisation at the Bridge Clinic in
Lagos.
Jibor told our correspondent at the 16th Anniversary of Kids born
through IVF at the clinic on Saturday that, indeed, science has
brought to her a bundle of joy against all odds.
"After the first examination, my doctor told me I had fibroid, and he
did an operation to take it out. I had a round of IVF that failed, but
I didn't give up. Despite all the challenges, I did another round."
After the second round of IVF at the clinic, Jibor conceived and
delivered a baby girl. The elated mother advises couples with
infertility challenges to always seek solutions, instead of waiting
until it's too late.
She urges childless couples to treat fertility challenges as medical
problems instead of chasing other ventures that would only cause them
heartaches and put unnecessary strain on the family.
Fertility experts agree with the mother. They say that with recent
advancements in medicine, fertility-challenged couples can still
achieve conception.
Consultant Gynaecologist at the Bridge Clinic, Dr. Tayo Abiara, notes
that infertility is a common problem and couples should not be ashamed
to seek medical solutions as early as possible.
According to her, at least one in every four to nine couples suffer
from infertility in Sub-Saharan Africa.
She says, "A couple is said to be infertile when there is difficulty
with conception despite regular unprotected sexual intercourse of at
least 12-month duration.
"The causes include fallopian tube damage, ovarian problems, uterine
anomalies and more commonly, sperm problems."
Abiara says couples must not delay medical diagnosis for their
problem, as the chances of a woman achieving conception either
naturally or through the IVF and other assisted reproductive
procedures reduce as she grows older.
According to her, the chances of a woman having a baby through the IVF
after age 50 are between zero and 50 per cent. And due to cultural
beliefs associated with infertility in Nigeria, most women who need it
do not access it early and when they do, they often come late to the
hospital.
She says, "Don't play into the hands of religious leaders, traditional
birth attendants and other quacks that end up prolonging the delay and
may even compound your problems when you don't come early."
Abiara recommends that childless couples who need IVF to conceive
should take it as a solution, and not just another option.
The specialist, however, warns that they should watch out for
unqualified and untrained experts who have dabbled into IVF services
to exploit desperate couples.
She advises couples to undergo such procedures in hospitals with
specialists in this field who, in addition to knowledge, will have
state-of-the-art medical equipment and facilities, which, she adds,
could determine the success of an IVF procedure.
Abiara states, "Couples must look out for the quality management
system in the hospital to ensure that risks in the mother and child
are well managed, so that you can have a healthy mother and baby.
"Make sure they are experienced and well trained hands who will
provide the safest procedure in an ethical way. Also check their
results. It must be one that you can verify"
--PUNCH
