The two girls relaxing in their bed
A record number of Ghanaian women who have been married for several years and unable to get pregnant have taken to artificial insemination to have their babies, a clinical embryologist, Isaac Kofi Adu, has said.
A 58-year-old woman in her menopausal stage is said to have delivered twins in Kumasi through the process.
According to Kofi Adu, babies born using treatments from in-vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) have increased since the establishment of in-vitro fertilisation hospitals in the country.
Speaking to DAILY GUIDE at the Trustcare Specialist Hospital & Fertility Centre in Kumasi where the 58-year-old woman delivered a set of twins, Mr Adu stated that although women today are generally healthier, fertility declines as people age.
A similar feat was recorded at Lapaz Community Hospital, where a 55-year-old woman was also delivered of twins a couple of months ago.
In the view of Kofi Adu, women’s body produces fewer viable eggs when they get older, whilst men’s sperms do not swim well as they age, creating fertility problems for couples.
The embryologist said this was the condition of the new nursing mother of twin girls when she visited the Trustcare Specialist Hospital in July 2015, having ceased menstruation for over 11 years.
“She underwent a surgical operation to remove a fibroid from her uterus (womb). Three months later, she was put on medication to enhance growth of the womb – as it had shrunk due to her menopausal state, and the IVF procedure commenced on February 2, 2016.
Mr Adu disclosed that the woman delivered of two girls last Wednesday after undergoing IVF treatment at the facility which has brought smiles back on her face.
“She was delivered of a set of twins through a caesarian session after a first IVF-ET attempt at the fertility centre. The first of the girls delivered weighed 2.1 kg, while the second one was 1.9 kg,” he asserted.
According to him, the IVF-ET is a specialised process in medicine that is used to help couples who for various reasons cannot get pregnant naturally.
In Ghana, the procedure was first introduced by a private specialist hospital in Tema in 1990.
He pledged the hospital’s desire to continue supporting many more childless women to become mothers and bring happiness into their lives.
Records
The Trustcare Specialist Hospital & Fertility Centre has treated more than 30 post-menopausal women, some of whom were more than 50 years of age since December 2012.
Of the 30 women treated, nine of them were between ages 50-58. They have delivered singleton, twins and triplets, bringing happiness into marriages and families.
From Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi