Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr. Idowu Olowokere, has urged individuals and couples to give adequate consideration to the implications of postponing childbearing, noting that advancing age can significantly affect fertility and future reproductive outcomes.
Olowokere, the Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer of God’s Knot Hospital and Fertility Centre, Ologuneru, Ibadan, gave the advice while delivering a lecture organised by the Rotary Club of Ibadan Bodija Estate as part of its Maternal and Child Health activities.
The lecture, held at the Rotary Club House on Saturday August 8th was organised under the leadership of the Club’s President, Rotarian Anya Chukwu, and was titled “Fertility Postponement: Implications for Future Reproductive Outcomes — The IVF and Surrogacy Options.”
The programme attracted a diverse audience comprising Rotarians, university students , Rotaractors, Inner Wheel members, staff and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Oyo State, as well as members of the public.
Olowokere’s presentation focused on fertility, reasons for delayed childbearing, possible reproductive consequences and available fertility options, particularly in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and surrogacy.
According to the fertility specialist, fertility is the natural ability to conceive and sustain a pregnancy, while primary infertility is the failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse.
He identified education and career pursuits, the search for financial stability, extended honeymoon and certain medical conditions among the reasons people postpone childbearing.
He explained that postponement of fertility could have implications for an individual’s future reproductive profile, including declining ovulatory function, reduced sperm production, hormonal changes, pelvic infections, endometriosis, uterine fibroids and complications associated with abortions.
Olowokere also stressed the significant role of age in reproductive outcomes, noting that female fertility peaks in the 20s and early 30s.
He presented figures showing that among women trying to conceive without fertility drugs or IVF, about 75 per cent of women aged 30 could conceive resulting in a live birth within one year, compared with 66 per cent at age 35 and 44 per cent at age 40.
He further explained that the effect of age also extends to IVF, stressing that IVF does not completely overcome age-related decline in fertility.
According to his presentation, the chance of a live birth from one complete IVF cycle was about 43 per cent for women aged 30–34, 31 per cent for those aged 35–39 and 11 per cent for women aged 40–44.
He, however, noted that older women could have increased chances of having a baby through surrogacy
The doctor also highlighted gamete and embryo preservation as an option for people who wish to preserve their reproductive cells for future use.
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He said ” The availability of IVF and the increasing acceptability of surrogacy had provided additional options for people experiencing fertility challenges . However, IVF treatment cost about N4million and that is a 50- 50 chance. Also freezing your eggs cost about N150,000 every month so do you want to work to spend on freezing your eggs every month?”
Olowokere nevertheless emphasised the importance of making informed reproductive decisions early, stressing “that while some things could be postponed, fertility should receive careful consideration because of the effects of advancing age.”
He pointed out that fertility challenges are not limited to women alone as men face fertility issues too adding that advancing age in a man, lifestyle among other factors affect men’s fertility.
The lecture formed part of the Rotary Club of Ibadan Bodija Estate’s efforts to promote awareness and improve knowledge about maternal and child health, reproductive health and fertility-related issues.
Participants also had the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification from the fertility specialist on IVF, surrogacy, fertility preservation and other reproductive health issues.
A youth Corp member , Miss Blessing said ” I learnt that although a woman can menstrate every month and be in her ovulation but other issues can prevent her from getting pregnant ,she should seeks expert consultant ‘s advice to addressed the issue .
A participant Rotarian Odeleye said ” I commend the doctor for his insightful lecture and during the question and answer session, the doctor explained why delayed pregnancy is unhealthy for women and the babies. He responded to a question I asked about a 21- year -old lady that was told to hurriedly get pregnant due to some medical reasons, the doctor said it’s wise to seek a second expert opinion on the issue instead of rushing to get pregnant. He added that although it’s advisable to get married early but marriage and child bearing should be well planned”.
The programme underscored the importance of increasing public awareness about fertility and the consequences of delayed childbearing while ensuring that people have access to accurate information on available reproductive health options.
The President of the Rotary Club of Ibadan Bodija Estate Rotarian Anya Chukwu said ” I commend the lecturer for this wonderful presentation. I am optimistic that participants have gained valuable insights and expert advice on the topic and they will go home with this message”
A participant Mr. Onya said ” I have been impacted positively with this message. I will urge my son who is over thirty to take marriage seriously and start having children early following what I have learnt from this lecture “.
The presentation concluded with the message that although IVF and the increasing acceptability of surrogacy have provided renewed hope for people facing fertility challenges, early awareness and informed reproductive decisions remain important.
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