A 37-year-old woman is expected to deliver Oman's first test-tube baby a week from today, according to Dr Radwan Faraj, Medical Director of the Advanced Fertility and Genetics Centre (AFGC).

Dr Radwan told Gulf News yesterday that the pregnancy is in the 39th week and the delivery is around September 3 or 4.

The baby will be the first one born after In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) procedure in Oman. The Omani couple is keen to protect their identity although their child will create history by being the first Omani test-tube baby.

"They don't even want their baby's pictures to be taken," said Dr Radwan, who said the baby is a boy.

According to the Iraqi doctor the couple is obviously excited at the prospect of the birth of their first baby after five years of marriage. The wife had fertility problems due to blocked fallopian tubes and age too was against her. This prompted the doctors to advise IVF.

"The pregnancy has been smooth and is being monitored regularly," said Dr Rana Najdawi, a Jordanian who has been associated with the case.

Dr Radwan said the Omani lady's first IVF attempt at a fertility clinic in a neighbouring country but did not succeed. "Here, she conceived her boy at the first try," he added.

Dr Radwan said the couple has not decided on the hospital for delivery. "It will most probably be at one of the two private hospitals," he said, adding that their clinic offers only outpatient treatment to cure fertility problems.

"I believe 15 per cent of the Omanis suffer from fertility problems." Dr Radwan also believes that the rate of infertility is higher among women as they suffer from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Dr Radwan said about 55 pregnancies were recorded at their clinic since its inception last year. "Our success rate is over 35 per cent," he claimed.

The AFGC is Oman's first clinic devoted exclusively to fertility problems and was established in November last year by Dr Muin Fedda of Jordan.

"There was a great flow of Omani couples seeking IVF treatment in Jordan, prompting Dr Fedda to open this clinic here."

Dr Radwan also reported the birth of an IUI (Intra Uterine Insemination) baby to an Omani couple at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital.

The baby, weighing 2.6 kg, is healthy. The baby's mother, aged 32 and her husband, aged 40, are elated at the success of artificial insemination.

Interestingly, one of the patients at the clinic has conceived twins after undegoing IVF. The outcome of these procedures often results in women having twins or triplets.

Dr Radwan said their clinic has saved Omanis a lot of trouble. "Until now Omanis were seeking treatment abroad. Now they can save time and money both by availing the treatment here," he added.