IVF baby celebrates first birthday at University of Ilorin Teaching Houspital

The first birthday of Baby Aishat Adeola Oladipo, born via the In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) was  marked in the premises of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, (UITH), Ilorin, Kwara State.

Born to Asimu Oladipo, 63 years of age and Mrs. Muinat Oladipo, 48, both from Kishi in Oyo State, the parents of Aisha said they would be the greatest ingrates not to appreciate God’s kind gestures to them.

Therefore, though the father could not attend, Aisha’s mother, in company of the ‘miracle baby’ and other well wishers came to the UITH, on Thursday March 24, 2016 for the birthday celebrations.

According to Dr. Lukman Omokanye, the head of the IVF centre of the UITH, though Aishat would not be the first baby to be produced by the assisted reproductive procedures, “her mother specifically wanted the birthday celebration here for reasons best known to her.”

Bubbling with life and energy, little Aishat burst to tears as her mother brought her into the sprawling waiting chamber of the centre. She had no memory of the fact that her journey into life actually commenced there, when her parents came into the centre for help.

According to the testimonies of Mrs. Oladipo, “I was a barren woman for over 18 years. In the process, I visited countless hospitals, especially private ones, spending all my resources looking for a child, but to no avail.

“I got married to my husband a virgin, and I became worried trying to unveil the source of my barrenness. To worsen my situation, I joined the team of women in menopause. So, the hope became shattered, but my spirit was high, especially in God. Some gynaecologists, specifically, told me to go and adopt a baby, until I met Professor Olayinka Balogun, the Head of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of the UITH, who referred me to the IVF centre of the UITH.”

She sobbed intermittently as she continued, “Aishat is the baby of this hospital. I am using this opportunity to tell people that from my recent past experience, there is nothing too difficult for God to do. I thank the CMD, Dr. Omokanye, all the nurses and other staff of this hospital for standing by me. I am grateful to God for rewriting the story of my life.”

Olatinwo, while stating the importance of the IVF said he conceived the idea some months ago to alleviate the stress and pains of many couples with challenges of conception. Olatinwo, moved by emotions, sobbed and urged many couples, especially the indigent ones, to patronise the centre as the management has put in place measures to augment the cost.

FOR the CMD, the IVF have accounted for about 30 per cent of pregnancies in the world since its successful experiment some 35 years ago, adding that UITH has succeeded in swelling the number of the success story.

Source: The Guardian