IVF: Hope For Childless Couples

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There is hope for childless couples, thanks to in vitro fertilisation (IVF) technology at Life Fertility Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State headed by Prof. Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu. Ikechebelu, a consultant and lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi (NAUTH) has delivered a woman of her fifth baby, named Favour, through the process, saying he is fulfilled giving hope to hopeless women.

“The answer to inability to conceive is assisted reproduction,” he said. “IVF is the answer to a woman with complicated abortion at early stage of her life because through IVF she can still have her own baby.” He has helped five women to have babies through the IVF method. These births comprised triplets and single babies. Through the facility, several others are expecting their babies.

Prof. Ikechebelu said: “IVF-based reproduction still has an edge over adoption because in adoption, you adopt a baby that you have no genetic contribution to. But in in vitro fertilisation, you are contributing genetically or if you are not contributing genetically, you are carrying the baby. There is that sense of ownership.”

Assistant Embryologist of the hospital, Mr Okwelogu Izunna Somadina said “IVF is a process through which the woman’s egg cells are fertilised by sperm outside the woman’s womb through some complex medical procedure and implanted back to the woman’s womb.”

On whether the children have the same features as other children, the Head of Paediatric Department, Dr Osuorah Chidiebele Donatus noted that an IVF child is not different from other babies, adding that IVF has no side effects on the growth and development of the baby.

Grandmother of baby Favour who does not want her name in print, told Newsextra that “infertility is not only a disease but an aberration in this part of the world and nobody would give you a chance. “So, my daughter has been childless for many years and when we had lost all hope, we were told she was pregnant. She gave birth to a bouncy baby boy.”

“So, we are appealing to couples that they don’t need to wait for 20 years before looking for assistance because the chances of success are bright when they are young.”