How mother of quintuplets died after 14-year wait turned sorrowful

A 45-year-old woman, Mary Adeuyan, spent 14 years searching for the fruit of the womb, when her joy finally came after delivering five babies at a go, sorrow set in as she died after giving birth to a set of quintuplets in Akure, the Ondo State capital. Weekend Trust, reports on the medical complications that […]

A 45-year-old woman, Mary Adeuyan, spent 14 years searching for the fruit of the womb, when her joy finally came after delivering five babies at a go, sorrow set in as she died after giving birth to a set of quintuplets in Akure, the Ondo State capital. Weekend Trust, reports on the medical complications that turned a long-awaited celebration into tragedy.

For Mary Adeuyan, the journey into motherhood was one marked by years of waiting, silent tears and unshaken hope and intense prayers.

For 14 years, she lived with the pain of childlessness in a society where motherhood is often viewed as the ultimate fulfilment for a married woman. Family members whispered behind her back while others openly questioned why she had not conceived.

Yet, despite the emotional burden and social pressure, Mary held firmly to hope believing her joy was coming sooner than she or anyone ever thought would.

At 45, she carried the desire for motherhood longer than many could bear, enduring the weight of expectations from family, friends and society while believing her story would someday change; change it did, however, the change short-lived pierced the heart of  everyone who had long waited for the joyous news of change.

When the change finally happened, it came in a manner nobody anticipated as it came with pain and trauma.

Mary conceived through an in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedure — a development her family described as miraculous after years of waiting.

For her, it marked the beginning of a journey she had almost abandoned.

Months later, doctors confirmed that she was carrying not one, but five babies — all boys.

The news spread quickly among relatives and friends, triggering excitement, amazement and gratitude.

For a woman who had waited more than a decade for a child, the pregnancy felt like destiny, compensating her for years of emotional struggle.

“Mary had always wanted children. When it finally happened, we were all overjoyed. We believed God had answered her in a special way,” one of her older sisters, Mrs Olusola Ajayi, recalled.

Because of the nature of the pregnancy, Mary remained under close medical supervision throughout the gestation period.

Medical experts monitored her carefully because multiple gestation pregnancies, particularly those associated with IVF, are often considered high-risk.

Despite the challenges, family members said Mary remained strong and optimistic.

Her daily routine revolved around hospital visits, medical checkups and prayers as relatives rallied around her with encouragement and support.

With every passing week, families noted that her confidence grew that soon she would finally become  and soon be called a mother; a title most women in marriage live and to be called .

By the time she entered her third trimester, what began as cautious hope had transformed into celebration and anticipation among loved ones and friends.

However, the pregnancy developed complications, as at about 31 weeks, Mary suffered premature rupture of membranes, a condition that required urgent medical attention.

Doctors at the specialist hospital in Akure immediately placed her under close observation and adopted conservative management aimed at prolonging the pregnancy to improve the babies’ chances of survival.

Through the difficult moments, Mary, supported by family and friends, remained determined.

“She was strong and endured everything because she wanted those children,” Mrs Ajayi added.

Then came the long-awaited day.

Inside the specialist hospital in the heart of Akure, preparations intensified for what doctors knew would be a delicate and highly coordinated delivery.

A team of medical professionals stood by as family members waited anxiously outside the theatre.

Her husband, who was outside the country, joined the family virtually while Mrs Ajayi and other relatives kept vigil in anticipation.

At about 10 a.m., the procedure commenced.

Hours later, excitement erupted across the hospital.

Mary had successfully delivered quintuplets — five baby boys.

For the family, it was a moment of triumph after years of uncertainty and waiting.

Phones buzzed endlessly with congratulatory calls, smiles, laughter, tears of joy  and messages as relatives shared the news with friends and loved ones.

“We were all jubilating. We called our mother to tell her that everything went well. It was a moment of joy,” Mrs Ajayi said.

According to her, Mary initially appeared to be recovering well after the surgery.

“Mary, too, seemed to be recovering well.

“According to doctors her vital signs were stable. There were no immediate signs of complications. She had come through the surgery.”

Family members said the atmosphere inside the hospital reflected  a joyous  mood; relief and gratitude.

At some point after the delivery, Mary reportedly spoke casually about food, a conversation that would later become painful for her family to remember.

“She told me she wanted to eat rice with red oil,” her sister recalled. “Later, she said she didn’t want it again.”

Unknown to them, those would become some of her final words.

Despite appearing stable after the operation, however, Mary’s condition suddenly worsened.

Medical experts later identified the cause as pulmonary embolism, a blockage in the lungs caused by blood clots.

Doctors explained that the condition is one of the dangerous complications associated with pregnancy and childbirth, especially in high-risk multiple births linked to IVF.

Sadly, within hours of giving birth to the five boys she had waited years to have and hold, Mary died despite efforts by doctors to save her life.

The joy that had filled the hospital quickly gave way to grief and confusion.

According to Mrs Ajayi, the same hospital that echoed with celebration, laughter, cheers and smiles became overwhelmed by mourning, screams and tears.

“When I came back from where I had gone to get medications for the newborns. I saw many people gathered in the emergency ward,” Ajayi said emotionally.

“She (Mary) was not responding by the time I called her. That was how we lost her.

“Today, the five newborn boys survived. They are symbols of hope, resilience and the dream their mother fought so hard to realise.”

Mrs Ajayi maintained that doctors attended to her sister diligently while the family also ensured she received proper care throughout the pregnancy.

“We did everything we could, but God Almighty knows why it happened this way,” Ajayi said.

One of the lead consultants in the hospital, who requested anonymity, disclosed that Mary previously suffered uterine fibroids which were surgically removed two years before the IVF procedure.

The doctor explained that the pregnancy progressed smoothly until she developed premature rupture of membranes at about 31 weeks.

According to him, the medical team placed her under intensive monitoring while taking steps to prolong the pregnancy and prevent infection or other complications.

“The patient later complained of chest pain, prompting the involvement of a consultant cardiologist. However, initial assessments did not indicate immediate danger.

“Following the delivery, the patient remained stable, with normal vital signs, including blood pressure and oxygen levels normal.

“Medical personnel, including a consultant anesthesiologist, monitored her closely due to the high-risk nature of the delivery.

“In fact, everything appeared normal after the operation. There was no sign of excessive bleeding, and her vital signs were stable,” he said.

The consultant, however, explained that pulmonary embolism can occur suddenly without warning signs.

He attributed Mary’s sudden deterioration to blood clots that blocked blood vessels in her lungs.

Following the tragedy, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, visited the Netcare Multispeciality Hospital to see the quintuplets and support the bereaved family.

Represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Seun Osamaye, the governor donated N2 million for the care of the babies and sympathised with Mary’s husband, Mr Olabode Adeuyan.

Aiyedatiwa reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving maternal healthcare and reducing maternal mortality in the state.

He stated that plans for the babies’ care extend beyond immediate medical attention, adding that the children could later be transferred to a specialised facility for continued support once stabilised.

The governor also praised his wife, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, for her commitment to women’s welfare and child protection.

According to him, the incident further highlights the importance of proper monitoring and management of high-risk pregnancies.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Adiji Ayodele Ojo, assured that the government had begun investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

He said the ministry had already put necessary measures in place to determine the exact causes of the tragedy and improve maternal healthcare safety across the state.

Earlier, the pediatrician in charge of the babies, Dr Oluwatuyi Korede, described the successful delivery of the quintuplets as initially exciting for both the medical team and the family.

“Proactive measures were taken for the health of the mother and the babies only for the unfortunate incident to happen,” Korede said.

Addressing concerns over possible referral, Dr Korede disclosed that the hospital had advised the family on the need to transfer Mary to either the Federal Medical Centre or the Medical Hospital in Ondo.

However, he explained that referrals can sometimes become complicated due to patients’ rights and family decisions.

For now, the five baby boys survive as the only lasting reminder of a woman who waited fourteen years to become a mother but died hours after realising that dream.