Giving Hope to Infertile Couples
Many couples in Nigeria continue to live with the pain of infertility, although In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is gaining acceptability in the country, writes Martins Ifijeh
The journey to living a fruitful married life did not come immediately after Olubunmi Salako’s marriage to her husband. It took eight years of pain, uncertainty and determination, as they moved from pillar to post, while hoping they could get lucky at having a child. Mrs Salako who got married early in life wasn’t a happy woman all through the period because pressure was on her to complete the dream of every married woman – to breast feed her own babies and have them run around her home. The joy of a mother was all she craved for.
Even though she was not disturbed by her husband and his people, the pressure from the society overwhelmed her, as she was not comfortable been associated with bareness; a title the society places on women who are yet to have their own babies years after marriage.
She made several efforts to get pregnant but unfortunately she was unable, even though doctors constantly tell her that nothing was wrong with her womb
Along the tumultuous journey of uncertainty, she heard about the In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF); a process by which a woman’s egg is fertilised by a man’s sperm outside the body, usually done through a laboratory procedure involving high monitoring and stimulation of the reproductive elements.
Salako gave it a thought and decided to approach one of the clinics in Lagos providing such service. “In the year 2000, we heard about The Bridge Clinic here in Lagos and we approached them. “First, I tried to inquire how the process was done, the possibility of me getting pregnant and how much it was going to cost.”
Salako said even though she was told the huge amount, what was going through her mind was whether the process would work for her or not. “The doctor who attended to me explained that it was not a 100 per cent guaranteed process and that all they do is only try to enhance chances of women becoming pregnant.
‘’Even with the explanation from the doctor, I was optimistic and decided to give it a try the next year. The process was successful and by 2002, I had my first child after 8 years. It was like a dream come through. I couldn’t believe I could birth a child of my own,” she added.
Salako, said with the success attained from the process, she decided to give it a try again. “I went back to the hospital again and repeated the process for the second time… And it worked again. I had my second child.
“I went back to repeat the process again for the third time but unfortunately it failed. I didn’t give up because I wasn’t satisfied with just two children. So I went back the fourth time and it worked again, and this time I had twins.
“At this time, I decided to stop the process since I already had four children including twins. But one day, I started feeling some how; it was pregnancy again, but this time, I wasn’t assisted through The Bridge Clinic. It came naturally even though I wasn’t expecting it. Today, I am a proud mother of five children within the space of 13 years,” she added.
Like the Salako family, Eucharia Akpaje and her husband suffered the pain that comes with childlessness after marriage for seven years. She spent the years trying all manner of methods and treatments, while hoping that one day she will get pregnant and have her baby.
But her hopes were constantly dashed any time she made efforts to get pregnant, until, like Olubunmi Salapo, she also gave thought to IVF.
She said even though her husband was skeptical about the process, they both took the bull by the horn and approached The Bridge Clinic. “We went through the process and surprisingly for us, we were successful.
“The period of pregnancy wasn’t as tedious as I expected for a first timer. I am an architect, so during those periods, I was always busy at work. I even climb staircases and do my jobs, without having to feel any distress.
“Even the day I gave birth, I didn’t feel it was going to be that day because my doctor had told me it would be the next week.
According to her, “all through the process, the doctors in The Bridge Clinic were always giving us detailed explanation. We were never in dark on any step they were taking. Am sure the fact that we were well informed on every step taking, was part of the reasons I was never over anxious,” she added.
Today, Mrs Akpaje is happy to have a son whom she described as a very brilliant and promising child.
But the case of Eremibo Omojoyegbe, presented a more difficult scenario. After seven years of childlessness and trying all several methods, including religious homes and other unconventional places, she finally visited the IVF clinic, which she regarded as her last hope.
But to her surprise, she was told she could not be assisted to have a child because she only had three follicles in her body.
“After doing the necessary tests and we were ready to commence the process, the doctor who examined me said the hospital management has rejected to render any assistance because my chances of having children was far too slim considering the fact that I only had three follicles, and that they wouldn’t want to collect money from me even when they know I may be unable to conceive.
But Omojoyegbe wasn’t deterred. Like the biblical Zacchaeus with a petite stature who went all out despite the odds, climbed a sycamore tree just to see Jesus, Omojoyegbe refused to give up. She told the hospital management that she was unwilling to accept the refund, as she believed the three follicles in her would be enough to have the children she needed to stay happy in her family. She explained that upon her insistence, the hospital management decided to continue with the process. “I went through the process and as God would have it, I became pregnant and I didn’t just have one baby. I gave birth to twins; a boy and a girl, and they are 6 months old already’” she added.
The Salakos, Akpajes and the Omojoyegbes are among millions of married Nigerians who have at one point or the other experienced infertility within the first one year or several years after marriage, or who are still experiencing it till date. Experts believed there are several Nigerian women who are going through the same pain of not having children of their own due to one infertility problem or the other.
The Team Lead, Clinical Service, The Bridge Clinic, Dr. Tara Abiara, explained that one of the challenges of solving infertility problem through IVF in the country is the late presentation of the health issue.
She said most couples prefer to spend several of their years of infertility going to various places, including traditional homes, religious bodies and even embark on self medication, using various concoctions, without thinking of tackling the issue through IVF which is becoming a reliable treatment over the years in the country.
She said even though there are no age restrictions for the process, it is preferable to tackle the issue on time. “In The Bridge Clinic, we give high priority to both the safety of the mother as well as the child, hence we encourage people to present early. A woman who is advanced in age may not have the same strength a woman who is in her middle age has.
On whether there are side effects to the treatment, Abiara, explained that like other medical interventions, the IVF also has its own side effects.
“One of the major side effects of IVF is Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS). It can cause symptoms such as swollen stomach, stomach pains, nausea and vomiting. If you start to experience any of these symptoms, you must contact your doctor immediately.
She said another side effect is multiple births. “This is one of the major health risk associated with IVF as patients are more prone to having twins, triplets, e.t.c. Though in this part of the world, it is regarded as a blessing.
“But from us here at The Bridge Clinic, we discuss both the process and the risks. The quality management system here ensures that the risks are well managed while having treatment in the safest environment and the safest hands.
According to her, a couple is said to be infertile when the parties are having difficulty in conception despite regular unprotected sexual intercourse for at least 12 months duration.
On the causes of infertility, she said: “The common causes are fallopian tube damage, ovarian problems, uterine anomalies and more commonly sperm problems which involves the male. “The Bridge Clinic has placed itself to solve the problem and have been doing so over the past 16 years by providing professional treatment and management of all causes of infertility with international standards and state of the art equipments.” She said among areas the clinic stand out is in the provision of its consistent service and verifiable results.
“In life, little things matter and we believe God has been helping us put smiles on the faces of thousands of Nigerians through this process,” she added.
On whether there are presently policies in the country regulating fertility treatment, the Commercial Manager, The Bridge Clinic, Dr. Ekundayo Omogbehin said at the moment, there are none
He, however explained that The Bridge Clinic follows best standard global practices in dealing with their clients. We make sure we assist them to get pregnant with minimal risk.
The Team Lead, Clinical Service, The Bridge Clinic, Dr. Tara Abiara, explained that one of the challenges of solving infertility problem through IVF in the country is the late presentation of the health issue