In a bold move aimed at addressing Nigeria’s alarming maternal mortality rate, one of the country’s foremost Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Professor Oladipo Ladipo, has advised Nigerian women to limit childbirth to no more than three or four children. With more than 40 years of experience in healthcare delivery and development, Ladipo warns that fifth and sixth pregnancies significantly raise the likelihood of complications and maternal death.
The fertility expert and Co-founder of the Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH) explained that women with multiple pregnancies, particularly those beyond the fourth child, face increased risks to their health. He cited statistics indicating that about 25 percent of Nigerian pregnant women fall into the high-risk category, largely due to repeated and closely spaced pregnancies.
Pregnancy Risks Increase with High Parity
Ladipo, in an interview with Frontpage Health, emphasized that women should be cautious about how many children they bear and how closely those pregnancies occur.
“Having too many pregnancies too closely spaced is not the best,” he said. “Pregnancies should be spaced between two and a half years or three.”
According to him, pregnancies occurring before age 18 or after age 35 are often associated with severe complications, particularly high blood pressure and related conditions. He urged Nigerian families to be strategic and informed in their reproductive choices in order to safeguard the lives of women.
Medical Experts Affirm High-Risk Pregnancy Concerns
Corroborating Ladipo’s concerns, the Mayo Clinic notes that high-risk pregnancies are often linked to pre-existing medical conditions or complications that develop during pregnancy. In such cases, both the mother and baby face increased chances of health issues before, during, and after delivery.
The clinic adds,
“Typically, special monitoring or care throughout pregnancy is needed. Understand the risk factors for a high-risk pregnancy, and what you can do to take care of yourself and your baby.”
Ladipo’s position aligns with global medical guidance that calls for measured reproductive health planning to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
Nigeria’s Maternal Mortality Crisis
The Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) raised concerns in 2022 about the country’s persistently high maternal mortality rate. With an estimated 512 deaths per 100,000 live births—according to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2018—Nigeria remains one of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth.
This figure is alarmingly distant from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target, which aims to reduce maternal deaths to fewer than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. Experts warn that unless aggressive public health reforms and cultural shifts are made, Nigeria may continue to fall short of this global goal.
Cultural Factors and the Need for Change
Ladipo also addressed the deep-rooted cultural norms that fuel high birth rates and gender preferences in children. He argued that cultural bias in favor of male or female children often leads women to continue childbearing beyond healthy limits.
“Why would a woman be looking for a male or female child just because she had four children of the same sex?” he questioned. “She should be content with four daughters or sons because the next pregnancy may be the last she will have; she may die of fifth or sixth pregnancies.”
He underscored that every child, regardless of gender, is valuable and capable of contributing meaningfully to national development if properly nurtured.
A Call for Policy and Social Reform
In addition to promoting family planning, Ladipo strongly advocated for the abolition of child marriage. He encouraged the education of young girls as a key measure to prevent early pregnancies, which are often fraught with health risks.
“Pregnancy before the age of 18 is associated with major complications,” he noted, emphasizing that girls must be allowed to complete their education before entering into reproductive roles.
This recommendation echoes long-standing calls from global health bodies like the World Health Organization (WHO), which have consistently identified education as a protective factor against maternal and child mortality.
Advocating a National Shift in Mindset
The gynaecologist called on both women and men to be satisfied with having three or four children, irrespective of their sexes, stressing that intentional family planning can save lives. He pointed out that efforts to reduce maternal mortality must involve not just the healthcare system, but also families, community leaders, and religious groups that influence reproductive decisions.
“Every child should be a wanted child. Every child is indeed a gift from God,” he said. “We must reject the mindset that more children guarantee family success or social status, especially when it puts mothers’ lives at risk.”
Conclusion: A Life-Saving Recommendation
Professor Ladipo’s message resonates not just with healthcare experts but with the broader global health agenda. His decades of experience in reproductive health reinforce the critical need for safe pregnancy practices, responsible family planning, and the elimination of harmful cultural practices.
With Nigeria continuing to face one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, limiting childbirth to three or four children—as part of a broader maternal health strategy—could be a lifesaving policy. It would not only protect women’s lives but also improve the overall health and well-being of Nigerian families. The time to act, he insists, is now.
