The Quadruplets
A 30-year-old surrogate mother has successfully delivered quadruplets at the Walking Egg Medical and Fertility Centre in Pokuase, Greater Accra Region, in what specialists describe as a rare outcome of assisted reproductive technology.
The babies, two boys and two girls, were delivered at 36 weeks through Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), a fertility treatment that involves placing processed, concentrated sperm directly into the uterus around ovulation to increase the chance of fertilization. Quadruplet births through IUI are considered extremely uncommon.
The Chief Executive Officer of the centre, Dr Nana Yaw Osei, who performed the delivery, explained that, unlike In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), doctors have no control over how many embryos implant during IUI.
Despite the high-risk nature of carrying four foetuses, Dr Osei described the pregnancy as smooth, with no major complications. He noted that the delivery was done as a precautionary measure and that all four babies were assessed by paediatricians and found to be healthy, each weighing over two kilogrammes. He also disclosed that foetal reduction was discussed but was ultimately ruled out based on ethical and religious considerations.
“As a strong Christian, I consider foetal reduction equivalent to abortion. My team, the intended parents, and the surrogate all agreed to continue with all four foetuses. It was a very special moment,” he said.
Explaining the medical uniqueness of the case, Dr Osei noted that IUI relies entirely on natural implantation.
“With IUI, you only prepare the sperm and introduce it into the womb. You cannot control how many embryos implant. That is what makes this case so rare and remarkable,” he explained.
Touching on the cultural context of assisted reproduction in Ghana, Dr Osei said surrogacy remains an emerging practice, with most surrogates being independent women who volunteer primarily for financial reasons. He added that the centre requires surrogates to have at least one child of their own before participating, to minimise risks.
Reflecting on the broader impact of fertility care, Dr Osei recalled cases of women who had lost their wombs but still desired children.
“Should we deny such women the opportunity to experience parenthood? Assisted reproduction offers hope to families who would otherwise never have children,” he said.
He stressed that both donors and surrogates are kept anonymous to protect privacy and dignity.
“Our aim is to combine medical expertise with ethical and culturally sensitive practices. This successful quadruplet delivery demonstrates the potential of assisted reproductive technology in Ghana and offers hope to couples struggling with infertility,” Dr Osei added.
By Vera Owusu Sarpong