OMOLARA IRURHE GIVES BIRTH AT 60 YEARS OLD

A 60-year-old woman, Mrs Omolara Irurhe who for 31-years was yet to deliver a child of her own is at the moment a happy woman as her dream of giving birth as come to reality.

Mrs Omolara Irurhe on Monday June 16 delivered her first child, a baby girl through Invitro Fertilization (IVF) at a Lagos hospital.

The 60-year-old new mother began Invitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment at the St. Ives Hospital in Lagos began in 2010 and four years after what began as a seed hope four years ago culminated in the delivery of her child.

The new mother who is currently filled with so much joy after her many years of visit to various hospitals both within and outside the country in search for a child said:

"I believe we should not limit God and what the doctors can do in this modern age. I give glory to God, we kept our faith in God 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. 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.

Mrs Omolara also spoke about having other children saying: " I don't know if I will have another baby, but if the doctors say I can, I will try it," she said.

Advising other couple in similar situation she said: "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.

Her husband, Desmond Adekunle Irurhe who was so excited about the birth of their baby spoke on how he supported his wife going for the IVF saying: " 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".

On why he did not marry a second wife: "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. "The hospital didn't give us any problem, they were very helpful and we thank them for the successful 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. 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.

"We treat 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 patients in our experience," Okewale said.

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.

Mrs Irurhe has made history as the oldest woman in Africa to give birth to a child via Invitro Fertilization. The oldest before Mrs Irurhe was an Indian woman, Rajo Deri Lohan who gave birth at the age of 69 in 2008.