60 Year Old Makes History as Oldest to Give Birth Using IVF in Africa - Is She Too Old?

Should there be an upper limit for being a mother? 60 year old Mrs Omolara Irurhe (real picture above) had been looking of a child for 31 years after she got married before she was able to give birth to a baby girl using Invitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment at a Specialist Hospital in Lagos.

The Nation reports that Mrs Irurhe started the IVF treatment in 2010 and said her faith in God and her belief in modern medicine helped her go through the process, after many years of childlessness in marriage. She said her husband, Mr Adekunle Irurhe's Catholic belief of one man one wife made him not to marry another woman and stood by her through all the years.

"I believe we should not limit God and what the doctors can do in this modern age. I believe this is the appointed time. I was very hopeful throughout the years I was childless and I remained focused on God. We went to many hospitals but we didn’t give up,” 

An elated Mr Adekunle Irurhe said though there were pressures to get another wife, he was determined to stay with his wife alone as that was the practice of his own parents. He said his wife's belief in the In vitro fertilization method made him support her.

"I supported her throughout because my wife was dogged and she believed in herself. When I saw her faith, I had no choice but to go with her. She kept telling me she would have her child. I wasn’t thinking of another wife. I came from a monogamous family and I decided she is all I will have. The family was understanding too and we fought together to get this baby".

Mrs Irurhe has made history as the oldest woman in Africa to give birth to a child via Invitro Fertilization. The global recognition for oldest IVF delivery goes to Rajo Deri Lohan, an Indian who in 2008 was delivered of a baby at 69 years.

I'm a firm believer in treatments for infertility and IVF where recommended, but is there an age where an infertile couple should hang their boots? Surely there is a reason why nature came with menopause as a failsafe contraceptive for older women?

Questions aside, I can only imagine how happy this couple are with their new bundle of joy, and I celebrate woth them. May God bless them with all they need to be capable parents to this baby.