Olusola Olonade became a first-time mother to quadruplets shortly before her 50th birthday.
Olusola Olonade conceived through IVF after marrying at 48 and says faith and her husband’s support have shaped her journey into motherhood.
Nigerian mother Olusola Olonade has welcomed quadruplets as a first-time parent, three weeks before her 50th birthday. She conceived through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) after marrying at 48.
Olonade married on December 12, 2023, following decades of praying for a husband. After finding a partner, she hoped to become a mother without another long wait.
Although she felt confident she would have children, she said she had not expected four babies at once. Now, she and her husband share the responsibility of caring for their quadruplets.
Nigerian mother reflects on IVF and faith
Olonade described her pregnancy as an answer to prayer, while acknowledging the fertility treatment that helped her conceive. She said her belief that God had promised her children sustained her hopes of motherhood.
However, she also recognised that IVF does not guarantee a successful pregnancy. She said she knew people younger than herself who had undergone repeated unsuccessful attempts.
For that reason, Olonade said she could not separate her faith from her experience of becoming a parent.
IVF involves fertilising eggs with sperm in a laboratory, then transferring a resulting embryo into the womb. Success rates vary with factors including a woman’s age, egg quality and the clinic’s procedures.
Sharing childcare and looking ahead
Meanwhile, Olonade said her husband regularly helps care for the four children, including during the night. On several occasions, he has encouraged her to sleep while he looks after them.
Her husband also spoke positively about their marriage, saying she had brought him companionship and peace of mind. He said her age had never influenced his decision to marry her.
Looking ahead, Olonade remains hopeful that she will watch her children grow and see future generations of her family. She pointed to women who had children at 48 and lived into their 90s.
Drawing on that hope and her faith, she said she wanted to live long enough to become a great-grandmother.
