Safina Namukwaya’s Extraordinary IVF Story
In a truly remarkable turn of events, Safina Namukwaya, a 70-year-old woman from Uganda, has made headlines by welcoming twins through in-vitro fertilization (IVF) at the
Women’s Hospital International and Fertility Centre (WHI&FC) in Kampala. This isn’t just a medical milestone; it resonates with the strength and resilience defining the human spirit.
The Details Unveiled: Dr. Edward Tamale Sali Sheds Light on the IVF Procedure
Dr. Edward Tamale Sali, the fertility specialist at WHI&FC, shared details of Namukwaya’s journey. She chose a
donor egg and her partner’s sperm for the IVF procedure. The twins’ premature birth at 31 weeks meant they had to spend
time in incubators, but Dr. Sali assures us they are currently stable.
A Miracle in the Making: Namukwaya’s Emotional Triumph Over Adversity
Namukwaya, already recognized as one of the oldest women to give birth, described the experience as nothing short of a “miracle.” Challenges marked her
path to motherhood, including pregnancy health issues and the emotional burden of her partner’s departure upon learning of the twins. In an interview with Uganda’s Daily Monitor newspaper, Namukwaya candidly shared societal stigma due to previous childlessness and her deep yearning for children after dedicating her life to caring for others’ children.She mentioned, “Men don’t like to be told that you are carrying more than one child. Ever since I was admitted here, my man has never showed up.”
A Second Venture into Motherhood
This remarkable birth marks Namukwaya’s second venture into motherhood in three years, following the birth of a baby girl in 2020. Her story aligns with a broader global trend, echoing the success of a 73-year-old Indian woman who gave birth to twins through IVF in 2019.
Shaping the Future: Namukwaya’s Story and Reproductive Medicine’s Changing Landscape
Namukwaya’s journey serves as a poignant reminder of the changing landscape in reproductive medicine, challenging societal expectations about age and parenthood. Fertility research advances, and stories like hers highlight the complex interplay of human aspirations and the triumph of resilience against societal norms.
