Let’s talk about Assisted Reproduction!

Welcome all to our second edition of HF-Live! Joining us today will be Dr Temitope Akinola, a leading Consultant Gynaecologist at Evercare Hospital, Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria. Kindly type in your questions respectfully and answers will be provided shortly.

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Dr. Ezinne Ejele
Dr. Ezinne Ejele
January 7, 2023 11:08 am

Hello!

Oluwapelumi Ala
Oluwapelumi Ala
January 8, 2023 5:03 pm

How affordable are the available methods of assisted reproduction?

Dr. Ezinne Ejele
Dr. Ezinne Ejele
January 8, 2023 5:19 pm

The prices vary from place to place. But currently, the average range is somewhere between 2.5- 5 million Naira.

Oluwapelumi Ala
Oluwapelumi Ala
January 8, 2023 5:09 pm

Is there an age range, for both men and women, when assisted reproduction is no longer an option for reproduction?

Dr. Ezinne Ejele
Dr. Ezinne Ejele
January 8, 2023 5:38 pm

The rate of success generally reduces with age in both men and women, especially from 35 years onwards. But from early to mid 50s and above, many specialists would be hesitant to carry out assisted reproductive procedures because of the extremely high failure rate. It would no longer be considered cost effective at this point.

Oluwapelumi Ala
Oluwapelumi Ala
January 8, 2023 5:11 pm

Can assisted reproduction help one choose certain traits one desires in their offspring?

Assisted reproduction is largely associated with infertility. Are there methods that can help preserve a woman’s fertility?

Dr. Ezinne Ejele
Dr. Ezinne Ejele
January 8, 2023 5:23 pm

It is possible to choose traits like gender. But other physical traits like hair colour, height, etc are not done. There are ethical issues surrounding genetic modification.

Dr. Ezinne Ejele
Dr. Ezinne Ejele
January 8, 2023 6:03 pm

Some ways to preserve fertility include adopting a healthy lifestyle (balanced diet and exercise). Stop smoking and consuming alcohol. Maintain safe sexual practices and treat sexually transmitted infections immediately.

Folasade
Folasade
January 8, 2023 5:24 pm

How do I know the best place to go for assisted reproduction?

Dr. Ezinne Ejele
Dr. Ezinne Ejele
January 8, 2023 5:28 pm
Reply to  Folasade

There are specialist centers all over the country. A good place to start would be to visit a tertiary center in your state, e.g a University Teaching Hospital. Many of them would have facilities for assisted reproduction. If not, the specialists there would be in a good position to refer you appropriately.

Anonymous
Anonymous
January 8, 2023 5:33 pm

What are the potential risks associated with IVF. How severe can it get. Can it lead to death. If not, what risks should couples be aware of?

Dr. Ezinne Ejele
Dr. Ezinne Ejele
January 8, 2023 5:46 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is one of the biggest risks to be aware of. It can be severe enough to require admission in the intensive care unit.

Oluwapelumi Ala
Oluwapelumi Ala
January 8, 2023 5:40 pm

Is there any assisted reproduction method that can be done in men?

Are these procedures a guarantee for twins?

Dr. Ezinne Ejele
Dr. Ezinne Ejele
January 8, 2023 5:47 pm

Yes please. There are procedures are male infertility. For example, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) can be done for men with very low sperm count, or those with insufficient healthy spermatozoa.

Dr. Ezinne Ejele
Dr. Ezinne Ejele
January 8, 2023 5:47 pm

Although the procedures increase the chance of twinning, it is not a guarantee. Assisted reproduction may result in a single birth, triplets or more. Getting twins is not a fixed outcome.

Oluwapelumi Ala
Oluwapelumi Ala
January 8, 2023 5:42 pm

Is IVF the same thing as assisted reproduction?

Dr. Ezinne Ejele
Dr. Ezinne Ejele
January 8, 2023 5:49 pm

No. IVF is ‘in vitro fertilization’, and it is a type of assisted reproduction technology. There are others such as gamete or zygote intrafallopian transfer

Oluwapelumi Ala
Oluwapelumi Ala
January 8, 2023 5:43 pm

How easy is it to find hospitals that will offer these services outside Lagos?

Dr. Ezinne Ejele
Dr. Ezinne Ejele
January 8, 2023 5:57 pm

There are approved assisted reproduction centers all over the country. A good place to start would be to visit a tertiary center in your state, e.g a University Teaching Hospital. Many of them would have facilities for assisted reproduction. If not, the specialists there would be in a good position to refer you appropriately.

Dr. Ezinne Ejele
Dr. Ezinne Ejele
January 8, 2023 5:55 pm

YOU CAN CONTACT DR TEMITOPE AKINOLA via (+234) 08034098414 for further enquiries and assistance.