A 45-year-old woman, Mrs. Mary Yaduyan, lost her life shortly after giving birth to quintuplets — all boys — at a specialist hospital in Akure, Ondo State.
Sources indicate that Mary had struggled with infertility for more than 14 years before successfully conceiving in 2025 through an IVF procedure. Tragically, she passed away just about four hours after what doctors described as a successful caesarean delivery, due to a condition called pulmonary embolism — a potentially fatal blockage in the lungs.
The unexpected loss plunged the hospital, which is experienced in managing multiple pregnancies, into grief.
Throughout her pregnancy, Mary had reportedly attended regular antenatal check-ups without any significant health concerns. However, her medical history included uterine fibroids, which had been surgically removed two years before the IVF procedure was carried out.
According to the lead consultant — who spoke to the Ondo State Government’s Hope Newspaper but preferred to remain anonymous — the pregnancy went relatively well until around the 31st week, when her membranes ruptured prematurely. She was then placed under intensive medical observation, with the care team opting for a cautious approach to extend the pregnancy to a safer stage, while keeping a close watch for any signs of infection or further complications.
The doctor expressed deep sorrow over the outcome, noting that losing a patient he had closely cared for was devastating.
“The patient later complained of chest pain, prompting the involvement of a consultant cardiologist.
“However, initial assessments did not indicate immediate danger,” he said.
“Following the delivery, the patient remained stable, with normal vital signs, including blood pressure and oxygen levels normal. Medical personnel, including a consultant anaesthesiologist, reportedly monitored her closely due to the high-risk nature of the delivery.
“Everything appeared normal after the operation. There was no sign of excessive bleeding, and her vital signs were stable.”
He added that the sudden deterioration was later attributed to ‘pulmonary embolism’, a condition caused by blood clot blocking vessels in the lungs which could occur without prior warning.
Despite swift resuscitation efforts, the patient could not be revived.
Speaking with the publication, the elder sister of the deceased, Mrs. Olusola Ajayi, recounted the final moments before her sister’s demise.
“She called me when I arrived at the hospital and said she wanted to eat rice with red oil without stew. Later, she changed her mind and rejected the food,” she said.
Ajayi explained that the family was informed the surgery would take place around 10 a.m., adding that they were on a video call with the deceased’s husband, who is outside the country, throughout the procedure.
“After the delivery, we were all jubilating. We even called our mother to inform her that everything went well. We were celebrating and encouraging ourselves,” she added.
She said she was later told to get medications for the newborns and immediately went to purchase them.
“But when I returned, I saw many people gathered in the room, and she was no longer responding when I called her. That was how we lost her,” she said.
Ajayi confirmed that doctors attended to her sister throughout and that the family made every effort to ensure she received the best care.
“We did everything we could, but God Almighty knows why it happened this way,” she concluded.
