By Sola Ogundipe

Today, In Vitro Fertilization, IVF is practically a household word. But not so long ago, it was a mysterious procedure for infertility that produced what was then known as “test-tube babies.”

IVF involves combining eggs and sperm outside the body in a laboratory. Once an embryo or embryos form, they are then placed in the uterus. IVF is a complex and expensive procedure; only about 5 percent of couples with infertility seek it out.

To date, over five million of such babies conceived outside their mother’s womb have been born. Since its introduction in Nigeria almost two decades ago, thousands of babies have been conceived through IVF.

”If you have a fertility problem, don’t keep quiet. Seek help. And if you achieve a successful pregnancy through IVF, speak out. Share your experience.”

This statement by Dr. Taiwo Orebamjo—a fertility specialist and Medical Director, Lifeshore Fertility Clinic, Lagos—highlights part of the challenges of fertility treatment and its options in the country today.

Recently, Lifeshore recorded the birth of its first baby conceived through IVF. The baby, a female, is the first baby of a couple that had been trying to conceive for four years.
Orebamjo said the birth of Lakeshore’s 1st IVF baby heralds a landmark achievement. “Getting results encourages patients. It makes our efforts worthwhile and gives encouragement to forge ahead.

“The couple had gone from pillar to post   before they came to us and we were able to assist them obtain their goal of having a baby.

”The mother had a challenge, but we were able to correct it. Although the success rate of IVF is not so high, however, those who need it need it.

“When one does all these and does not get results, one tends to become discouraged and starts wondering whether one does not know what one is doing and patients also start wondering whether one is not running a genuine fertility clinic.”

Further, the fertility expert said conceiving through IVF is ultimately the Lord’s doing because there is no human being that is capable of manufacturing a baby.

“All we can do as scientists is to carry out a process up to a point and leave the rest in the hands of God.

“There are many centres in Nigeria now offering IVF, but not all of them know what they are doing, but in good centres I would say IVF is beneficial to the populace and it is gradually achieving acceptance in this environment.

Orebamjo says the taboos that still surrounds IVF should be dispelled by those that have benefited from the procedure. “Most people who have achieved successful pregnancy through IVF and birth still do not want to announce it, yet there are  so many other people who could benefit from IVF, but have not been informed that such facilities exist.”

When it comes to infertility, IVF may be an option if a couple is  diagnosed with problems ranging from with ovulation issues, low sperm counts, problems with the uterus or fallopian tubes or other unexplained fertility problems IVF is often reserved for cases in which other methods such as fertility drugs, surgery, and artificial insemination haven’t worked.

Success rates for IVF depend on factors ranging from the reason for infertility, where the procedure is being done, and the woman’s age. A woman’s age is a major factor in the success of IVF for any couple. For instance, a woman who is under age 35 and undergoes IVF has a 40 percent chance of having a baby, while a woman over age 40 has an 11.5 percent chance.