Renowned fertility expert, Dr. Jaiyeoba Adeyemi, has debunked lingering misconceptions surrounding In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), particularly the belief that children conceived through the process are somehow abnormal.
Speaking at the Welcome Forum of the BridgeClinic in Lagos—an event themed “Optimising Your Fertility Health”—Dr. Adeyemi emphasized that babies born via IVF are just as biologically normal as those conceived naturally.
Dr. Adeyemi’s remarks were aimed at dispelling social stigma and encouraging more open, informed conversations around fertility treatments—especially in a society where silence and shame often cloud reproductive health issues.
“We use the sperm produced by the man and the egg produced by the woman. It is the same thing that is used in conception. So, babies born through IVF are just as normal as babies who are born naturally.”
On IVF success rates, the expert said outcomes vary but noted encouraging statistics in recent years.
Adeyemi urged couples who have been trying to conceive for a year without success to seek fertility evaluation or treatment.
He stressed the urgency for women aged 35 and above to act early, as fertility declines with age.
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“Women above 35 need more urgent care than women in their 20s and early 30s. The general rule is that couples who have been trying to conceive for one year and have not gotten pregnant should seek fertility treatment or at least fertility testing.
“However, a 35-year-old woman who has been trying for six months should also seek treatment because the quality of a woman’s eggs declines as she grows older,” Adeyemi said.
Dr. Jaiyeoba Adeyemi also highlighted the importance of timely medical intervention for women facing fertility challenges, particularly those in their mid-thirties and above.
Addressing the topic of egg donation, Dr. Adeyemi acknowledged that while Nigeria’s fertility sector is still evolving, it is being shaped and regulated by professional bodies like the Association of Fertility and Reproductive Health (AFRH), which ensures ethical standards and safe practices across the industry.
He also noted that BridgeClinic adheres to rigorous screening and selection protocols for egg donors, underscoring the clinic’s commitment to maintaining both medical integrity and patient safety throughout the fertility process.