As 60yr old woman Gives birth in Lagos after IVF,i ask-Do you thank God or Science?

Mrs Omolara Irurhe, a 60yr old woman, has just delivered a baby at a Lagos hospital. For 31 years, she was globe-trotting in search of a child. She was a guest in the best hospitals. But 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.

She said: “I believe we should not limit God and what the doctors can do in this modern age(ivf). 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 added that her husband’s Catholic faith prevented him from marrying a second wife, hence the two of them decided to put their faith in God and waited for over 30 years until the miracle eventually happened...

On Monday, what began as a seed hope about Four Years ago culminated in the delivery of a bouncing baby girl. Consequently, Mrs. Irurhe has thus becomes the oldest IVF mother in Africa. The global recognition for oldest IVF delivery goes to Rajo Deri Lohan, an Indian who was delivered of a baby at 69 years in 2008.

 The IVF Unit at St. Ives Hospital in Lagos successfully aided the conception and delivery of the baby and has now equalled the United Kingdom’s record of IVF age delivery. The team of doctors at the hospital was led by the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Tunde Okewale, who expressed joy at the successful delivery with the help of IVF. 

Dr. Okewale said the physical condition of the mother – and not just the age – is a major factor that determines the success of conception and delivery through IVF. 

In his words: “We treat(IVF) only after strict medical check 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 IVF patients in our experience,” Okewale said. 

When The Nation spoke to the new mother, she was full of enthusiasm and joy over her new IVF baby. She said what kept her going after many years of childlessness was faith in God and a belief in herself.