Margaret Adenuga, a 77-year-old Nigerian woman, and her husband Noah had harbored a longstanding desire to become parents since their marriage in 1974.
Despite facing multiple unsuccessful attempts, the couple remained resilient and determined in their pursuit of parenthood.
Noah Adenuga, a retired stock auditor, expressed his unwavering optimism, stating, “I am a dreamer, and I was convinced that this particular dream of ours would come to pass.”
Last Tuesday, at 37 weeks gestation, Margaret gave birth to twins via caesarian section at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). The news, however, was only recently disclosed by the hospital to allow the first-time mother adequate time to recuperate.
Dr. Adeyemi Okunowo, who led the delivery, highlighted the challenges associated with Margaret’s high-risk pregnancy due to her advanced age. He mentioned the meticulous monitoring carried out by a specialist team throughout the pregnancy.
“As an elderly woman and a first-time mother, it was a high-risk pregnancy, compounded by the fact that she was carrying twins. Nevertheless, we successfully managed her pregnancy to term,” Okunowo explained.
While acknowledging the possibility for older women to conceive through in vitro fertilization (IVF), Okunowo emphasized the importance of transparently communicating the medical risks associated with pregnancies at such an age.
“There are age-related medical complications that come with being pregnant at that age, such as the risk of preterm birth. Margaret is fortunate, but many women may face complications during or after childbirth,” he cautioned.
Margaret, reflecting on her journey to motherhood, credited her husband Noah for providing inspiration and unwavering confidence. Despite external pressures, including suggestions from Noah’s kinsmen to seek another wife, Margaret held onto her hope.
“I never lost hope. I used to tell him that before we move from where we are living, we will carry our baby—more than one. And being a churchgoer, I drew inspiration from testimonies of divine interventions. I stood firm in my faith that God would make it happen,” Margaret expressed with gratitude.
