•LAGOS Fertility Doctor, Dr. ABAYOMI AJAYI
It is not a new reality that many couples are dealing with. Its been a big challenge for years. Over the last few years, many couples have had to deal with the issue of Infertility. Worried by their inability to have kids, they have moved from one clinic to another, consulting various doctors. They have also gone to different fertility centres to do IVF. Some have travelled far and near over the issue of Infertility. This is not to mention countless spiritual consultations with Pastors and traditional healers who usually recommend herbal solutions.
Last week Thursday, City People Magazine spent a few minutes with Lagos Fertility doctor, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, who is the CEO of Nordica Fertility Centre in Lagos. He is a Specialist in that area. He is one of the doctors many couples rush to, for solutions to their inability to get pregnant. City People asked him matter of factly, if we are making progress in our bid to tackle the issue of Infertility. What has been his experience so far? Are we making progress in terms of reducing the numbers or at what stage are we now, in our efforts to tackle the scourge of Infertility?
“I will prefer to look at it from 2 parts. The first part is that the overall number of people with Infertility has increased, because lifestyle is becoming a major factor. And these are decisions that nobody can’t make for people. People have to make it themselves. It takes self will. And we sing ourselves wary, especially among the youth. They just want to stay in their comfort zone. They want everything and they believe that Technology can deliver almost everything. So, that allows for this permissiveness.
But if you talk about Treatment, that is becoming better. There are many more IVF Clinics. Treatment is becoming more accessible, if you look at it from the geographical point of view. But the other aspect is the monetary value or the cost. That is another part. But I tell people to be careful what they pray for, because your cost is dollar denominated. And the naira is taking a daily bashing from the dollar, so, there is no way that cost can come down, unless you and don’t want to get the standard and available international treatment, the kind you get in the UK or Europe. But if you want to get it here, then it cannot be cheaper. What I say, in addition, is that the people in London, America or Europe are not facing the kind of problems we face here, where we have to generate power, water, security. Those are things that they take for granted. So, the things that we, doctors, here, put into it, is even much more. And that is why you see that a lot of people are struggling. If you are not doing a particular number of cycles you can never break even, because the cost of doing IVF, even for the Providers, has increased tremendously The cost of production is so much higher now, that the profit margin has now, that the profit marging has dwindled drastically.
What is his advice to those who are trying to have children but who suffer Infertility? “The 1st thing I say to them is that they should equip themselves with a lot of knowledge. We need to understand the problem or what the problems are. And to know the best way to solve the problem. And where is the best place to go to. What facilities do they have there? Go there, talk to the people in charge and be sure that they are capable”.
For newly married couples, how many months after marriage should they wait for, before they begin to worry about not yet having babies? What are the things they need to have done? What is the definition of Infertility? Does it still have the same definition or has it changed? “Oh no, it has not changed. Infertility is still the inability to conceive after one year, if you are less than 35. But if you are over 35, in 6 months, my dear, you have to cry out. But why wait before you even get to this point. There are somethings you should have started doing yourself, like living healthy, the food you eat, cut down on coffee, cut down on alcohol, if you cannot stop, but smoking, zero, zero, zero. Stop intake of hard drugs must stop. You know why it is a problem, because people use hard drugs for so many things like relaxation and as an aphrodiside. But when you are looking for a baby, it is better you don’t do all those things, because it affects sperm counts, it affects egg quality, in both male and female. If you are 30, your eggs will be like you are 10 years older, when you are smoking. That is not the kind of things you want, it is counter productive. Your life choice must be right. You cannot afford to be Obese, if you are looking for a child. These are things that you should do on your own. Like I always say, if possible start a family before it is too late, before you are 35.
Let me also advice, if you don’t have a partner to marry now, you can do Egg Freezing. You can free your eggs before you get to that age where we now start telling stories that touch the heart. These are some of the things people can do before it gets to the point of complaining that there is a problem.”
How about the men? “Yes, the same thing with the Male. They need to take lifestyle choices. Be careful of Veneral diseases, sexually transmitted diseases. So, many guys now, don’t stick to one partner and they don’t even use any form of protection. So, all these issues basically, also affects man. Of course, alcohol in take, smoking all affects Infertility.
Men and women should stop in take of all those Herbal drinks, Opa Eyin, they are horrible things to take. Most of them are prepared with Alcohol. I think those are some fo the things that affect men. Most of the time you don’t even know what you are drinking. Its amazing that educated people now, are also taking them in huge quantity.”
“Many years ago, it was my mechanic that used to take these drinks, out of ignorance, but now it has become vogue. These are things to avoid when you are looking for a baby. Becareful. Even for your general health. You have to learn to stay healthy, don’t just copy what others are doing because it is in fashion. No. We need to preserve ourselves first and foremost. And you must know everything you ingest. What you don’t know don’t take it.
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