Mr. and Mrs. Omage are first-time parents whose first attempt at Invitro-Fertilisation (IVF) resulted in the birth of quintuplets. To give the bundles of joy the best in life is far beyond their reach, writes OYEBOLA OWOLABI.
Mary, Moses, Miracle, Morireoluwa and Moyinoluwa were delivered via Caesarean Section on January 18, at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). They have brought joy and happiness to their parents, Mr. Ewanle and Mrs. Foyeke Omage. The first time parents, however, need help to cater for their bundles of joy.
The proud parents did not plan to have five babies at once; it was far from their expectations. However, after seven years of marriage and no sign of pregnancy, despite medical checks certifying them fit to have children, the couple decided to go the Invitro-Fertilisation (IVF) route. Their first IVF attempt at Truecare Fertility Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos State, was a success, and they have Mary, Moses, Miracle, Morireoluwa and Moyinoluwa to show for it.
They are grateful to God for the beautiful gifts, but caring for them and ensuring they get the best of life might be a herculean task if they don’t get help. Mrs. Ewanle was on bed rest for about two months before the January 18 delivery, she took an injection daily (to prevent blood clot) which cost N3,000 throughout her stay in the hospital; drugs, gloves and other hospital paraphernalia, as well as tests, cost them about N1 million.
Their total hospital bill is N970, 350, which covered admission, feeding and delivery. And though mother and babies have been discharged, they still owe the hospital N275, 350. They were discharged two weeks after their delivery.
Mrs. Omage, who hails from Ilesha, Osun State, said: “My husband and I thank God for giving us these blessings. We opted for IVF because we couldn’t conceive naturally despite many tests which confirmed us medically fit to have children. The IVF was done at Truecare Fertility Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.
“The scan revealed that I was carrying quintuplets. I didn’t expect to have five babies at once. The scan initially showed four babies but, at the next appointment, I was told one of the eggs had split into two, making them five babies. When I heard I was carrying four babies, I was excited and expectant, but also thought of the financial implications. But by the time the scan showed five babies, I was shocked. I was shivering and could not get up from the scan bed until the doctors calmed me and helped me up. I didn’t get back to my normal self until about one hour later because of the shock.
“It has not been easy coping as a first-time mom of five babies. I have no experience caring for even one, not to talk of five babies. I used to work as a marketer with Union Diagnostics, a medical laboratory, at Ikotun, but I have since stayed off work since I went on bed rest prior to the delivery. My salary also stopped and I might not be resuming anytime soon because of the task of raising five babies at once. I don’t sleep at night and they have been introduced to formula. While one is breastfeeding, others take the formula and they change roles for the next feeding time.
“It has not been easy but it’s definitely a good experience. I appeal to Nigerians to please help us so we can care for our babies. Their upkeep is paramount, and we need to give them a good life. They currently consume one and a half tins of formula and a maximum of 30 diapers in a day. We need help to sustain them because we cannot do it alone.”
Mr Omage, who hails from Uzebba in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, is also appealing for help. According to him, the mother and babies were discharged after he paid N275,350 of the total N970,350 bill and entered into an agreement with the hospital management.
He said: “I work with the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria in Benin, Edo State. I was in Benin when my wife called to inform me of the pregnancy. I was excited because we had been waiting on the Lord since we wedded in 2014. When she said we were expecting four babies, I was excited but also worried about the financial implications. We are grateful to God for these gifts but we are bothered about caring and providing for them.
“I didn’t run away when I heard the news of five babies. I never thought of running away though I used to joke that I will run away. But I stood firm at their conception and delivery. I am not part of those men who abscond in the face of multiple births.
“The hospital discharged us after I signed an undertaking, and my identity card, passport photograph, address and phone numbers were collected. We still owe N257, 350. My employers have been fantastic they have done their best to assist us. I also thank Nigerians home and abroad who have been supporting us financially and spiritually. It has not been easy caring for five babies at once. When we were two, it was not easy, talk more now that we are seven. It has also been interesting and we thank God for the gifts.
“But I will still appeal to states and Federal Government, corporate bodies, NGO’s, religious leaders to please support is in the upkeep of our babies because Nigeria’s economic situation is not palatable. We stay in a rented apartment and our rent of N300,000 will be due in May ending. Our landlord has been very understanding since the babies arrived. I also thank our church, Foursquare Gospel Church of Nigeria, Olugbede Branch, for their support. Our pastor Olowu has been wonderful for his support, financial and spiritual. He always told us not to allow our problems to become our headache but leave it to God, and we have always keyed into the prayer.”
Mrs. Omage can be reached on 08034372732 and 08074492867, and donations can be sent to her Zenith Bank account – 2085899858, Omage Foyeke.
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