Expert exposes misconceptions about children born through IVF

A gynecologist and in vitro fertilization expert based in Akwa Ibom State, Dr Oladipo Shittu, has debunked misconceptions in some quarters that children born through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) normally develop mental health issues during their stages of development.

The medical doctor who is also a fellow of the West African College of Surgeons with special training in IVF also faulted the claim by some religious leaders that IVF is a man trying to be God.

“A child born through IVF is totally normal and beautiful. Some people have the misconception that babies born through IVF have mental problems, it is totally untrue unless the woman has a hereditary problem,” Dr Shittu explained.

He said “When we transfer embryos we have absolutely no power over the implant, we always tell patients that, it is only God that determines implantation. So, IVF is a man being used by God and not a man trying to be God.”

“People also have this misconception that IVF is only for the rich, this is not true, it is not as expensive as it used to be, in those days, you need to have 2 to 3 million naira, although there has been a lot of research to bring down the cost of IVF, sometimes you have fee discount so that more people can assess it. Some people also believe that IVF is for the elderly, but that is also not true, it’s for everybody who has fertility issues,” Shittu said.