A Calgary couple who spent years navigating infertility and multiple failed treatments is now celebrating an outcome few could have imagined: the birth of quadruplets. Two boys and two girls were conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF), marking the first set of quadruplets to be born in Calgary in eight years. David and Lola Oluwole welcomed Josiah, Joshua, Jemima and Joanna on May 7 at Foothills Medical Centre. Known affectionately as the ‘J4 Quads’, the babies were born at 29 weeks and four days, spending between 60 and 83 days in neonatal intensive care before finally coming home. The family’s story is one of joy, persistence and surprise, but it also highlights the financial challenges many Albertans face when seeking fertility treatment in a province that offers no public funding for standard IVF procedures. “We didn’t plan for four,” Lola Oluwole said in an interview with CTV News. “We actually did put in two embryos and they both split miraculously, and that’s why we’re here.” The couple says the road to parenthood was long and difficult. “When I was much younger, I was diagnosed with endometriosis, so that made it very challenging to get pregnant,” Lola said. “I have had multiple surgeries and multiple IVF attempts, but now I feel so blessed.” Costly journey to parenthood The Oluwoles say they underwent an IVF cycle in Calgary in early 2025 that cost about $20,000 but did not result in pregnancy. David said the total cost was even higher when medications and other expenses were included. “It ended up being around $25,000 because of all the medications and other drugs that we had to pay out of pocket for.” Wanting another chance to become parents, the couple travelled to their home country of Nigeria, where they say the procedure was much cheaper costing roughly $5,000 Canadian. The result was unexpected. The first ultrasound showed two babies, but a later scan revealed more. “When I saw the first scan there was three babies and I said, ‘Oh, how can I possible afford three car seats in this economy? How am I going to manage?’” Lola recalled with a laugh. “Then my doctor said, ‘Oh sorry, Madam, I think you’ll actually need four car seats. There’s another one on the scan hiding behind the three.’” The Oluwoles say the excitement of becoming parents has quickly been followed by the realities of caring for four premature babies. “It’s been tough,” Lola said. “My body’s adapted to having, running on less sleep. Feeding them, soothing them, it’s all a huge challenge.” The family had hoped relatives from Nigeria would come to help, but visa applications for three family members, including David’s mother, were denied. David said overnight care is especially difficult. “From 12 in the morning till 6 a.m., they just don’t get any sleep, so we often have to stay awake.” The costs also add up quickly, with the babies going through roughly 24 diapers and a full can of formula each day. “Formula is about $20 per can so 30 cans in 30 days really takes a toll.” The financial pressure has also meant putting other plans on hold. Lola said she has had to pause her master’s degree in counselling psychology, while the couple adjusts to life with four premature babies. “We just don’t want to think about it tomorrow,” David said. “But we know that it’s going to be a lot of challenge.” The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs of caring for the quadruplets, including additional caregiver support. Anyone wishing to support the family can find the fundraiser online under the Calgary J4 Quadruplets. An extremely rare occurrence Dr. Prati Sharma, president of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society, said quadruplet pregnancies following IVF are now uncommon because clinics generally transfer fewer embryos than they once did. “Our general policy is for elective single embryo transfer, transferring one embryo at a time, and that has dramatically reduced the incidence of what we call the multiple gestation rate.” Even so, embryos can sometimes split naturally. “Even if you do put in only a single embryo, there is a potential for that single embryo to split,” Sharma said. Sharma said higher-order multiple pregnancies can also carry risks for both mothers and babies, including prematurity. “The risk with multiple gestation is prematurity,” she said. “Thankfully, I hear that all four babies are doing well.” Calls for more IVF support The family’s experience has also renewed discussion around fertility funding in Alberta. Alberta currently provides no public funding, grants or tax credits for standard IVF treatment, unlike several other provinces that offer subsidized cycles, tax credits or direct financial assistance. David says cost can be a major barrier for families. “It will stop a lot of people who also want to have kids, and they can’t raise the funds,” he said. “So it would have been nice if the government could have helped us in this regard.” Dr. Sharma meanwhile said infertility affects many Canadians and should be treated as a health-care issue. “Fertility care is health care. Period. Let’s just put that on the table.” “We now know that one in six Canadians will experience infertility in their lifetime.” Sharma added that many patients also require more than one round of IVF to achieve pregnancy. “Oftentimes you need more than one IVF, and as evidenced by this couple, the cost can be enormous,” she said. “If you look at our national data, the data shows that in order to achieve a live birth, you probably need two or three IVF cycles.” In a statement, Alberta’s Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services said the province covers consultations, referrals and medically necessary treatments related to infertility. “We recognize that fertility treatment can represent a significant cost for individuals and families, and we’re exploring options to better support Albertans, with a focus on where help is needed most,” the ministry said. The government also pointed to a new $2.25-million oncofertility program that supports patients preserving fertility before cancer treatment. Life with four newborns Despite the sleepless nights and challenges, the couple says they remain deeply grateful. “In all of the chaos, I am happy because it’s a dream come true for me holding my children in my hands,” Lola said. “I have come a long way, a lot of doctor’s visits, but I wouldn’t change it.” David echoed that sentiment, encouraging other families a message struggling with infertility to keep trying. “Please don’t give up,” he said. “We almost gave up. We said, no way, because it’s a lot of pressure, it’s a lot of medications, a lot of injections.” “But after six months we said, ‘Let’s give it a try again. Let’s give it a shot,’ and here we are.” As for the quadruplets themselves, their parents say distinct personalities are already beginning to emerge. “Josiah is very calm,” Lola said. “Joshua yells loud, and he takes all the food.” “Jemima gives the best snuggles,” she added, while Joanna, the youngest by minutes, “is our princess.” And while the journey to parenthood took years, thousands of dollars and more challenges than they expected, the Oluwoles say it has all been worth it. “I have it all,” Lola said. “I have a wonderful husband, wonderful children. I am so grateful.”
