During labor, amidst excruciating pain, a nurse attempted to comfort me, remarking, "Sorry madam, it's the joy of motherhood." I retorted sharply, "This feels more like 'the pain of motherhood'. The joy comes later, watching your child grow."
[This picture is mine]
The pain I endured was unlike anything I'd ever felt, even surpassing a previous fire accident. Induced due to overdue pregnancy, the hours passed agonizingly without progress. Eventually, shivering uncontrollably, my mother summoned the doctor. Concerned, he ordered a malaria test, which came back positive, necessitating a pause in labor induction for treatment to safeguard both me and my baby.
I woke up the following morning to a nurse asking me if I was ready for the procedure, what procedure I questioned, and she said, you would have to go to the theatre for a cesarean section.
Hold on please, I interjected, my doctor never at any point during my antenatal check-up suggested that I would have my baby through CS, so what is going on now, it was at that moment I knew my baby was in a breech position, and for most babies in this position, a surgical procedure is always advised.
Learning my baby was breech, I asked the doctor if CS was the only way out, and the doctor proposed trying naturally under close supervision first. Determined, I embarked on an exercise routine with supportive loved ones by my side.
As labor intensified with renewed efforts, the pain surged. Hours of agony followed, prayers mingling with cries until finally, the nurses announced, "Madam, we're moving you to the delivery room. Are you ready to meet your baby?" With a faint smile, I replied, "Yes."
"Push, madam," the doctor's firm voice urged, and I let out a loud shout of pain, he said No, pushing is different from screaming, so when I ask you to push, you do so. I nodded my head in understanding.
Another shout of "Push madam", made me use all my energy to let out a deep push, you are doing well now the doctor said, relax a little, and then another push. The nurses and doctor chorused, you are doing well, let's do this again, and all I kept hearing was push and push and push until I heard congratulations, your boy is here.
My joy knew no bounds, aside from being in a breech position, he had his placenta around his neck, which made it more difficult for him to come out, my not-so-tiny baby weighing 3.5kg, was welcomed with a shout of celebration from my Mum, Husband, Friends, Nurses, and even the Doctor, it was indeed a miracle.
At the hospital, I thought the road would be smooth from here, little did I know the journey had only just begun. It started with the fact that I was not producing breastmilk for my child, I could only drink hot water in extremely hot weather, with clear instructions not to have the Air Condition left active for the safety of my child. All this was nothing compared to the intense pain I felt from the stitches carried out after the third-degree tear I had suffered.
Regardless of how I felt, it was a strong necessity for me to take care of my child, look after his needs, and attend to him whenever he called for attention. I went for days without being able to get a night of proper sleep and I was almost losing my mind.
On a faithful day, I decided to look out for myself before something went wrong, so I shared how I was feeling with my Mum, who prepared a separate room for me, prepared a special delicacy that she ensured I ate to my full, it was not recommended for me to take cold drink yet or any sugary product at all, so I stepped it down with the usual warm water.
She perfectly laid the bed, placing a pillow in front of me and behind me, then my husband played some cool music that would help me sleep well and tuned the Air conditioner to a decent level. I was instructed not to panic or rush out even when I heard my baby cry, and oh goodness, for the first time in a long time, I was able to have a good rest, I felt so relieved when I woke up, that I gave my Mum and husband a long hug.
Hi, I am Tobi, a writer, speaker, relationship blogger, and lover of good music. I love making friends and learning from people. If you want to hear me speak on relationships and general life issues, you can find my YouTube channel where you can watch any episode for free, please do not forget to subscribe, friends. I sincerely appreciate every love I get from here, Kindly do well to keep them coming.
