Things to expect at a maternity home, especially in the delivery or labour arena (based on my personal experience).
I went to spend my holidays with my pregnant sister in Aba, Her hubby is a very busy bank official, his sister who stays with them had a job interview at Enugu and so that's how I stayed with my sister through an incredible 20 plus hours labour period.
Like earlier stated, this list is based on my personal experience of over 20 hours painful labour. Enjoy...
* Pregnant women in labour might just be mistaken for crazy. They don't mind walking round the room naked, a few don't care who is present. You will hear things like: "yeah! Mummy ooo, Ahh! Chukwudi, ooh! I'm in pains ooo!"
* They are prayer warriors(same goes for their carer). My sister was 'kabashing'. It's not unusual to hear: ''libra ba bosh', 'ka bosh ske muntele'' e.t.c. The carer too is expected to be a clergy.
* Jesus must have many wives. With so many women screaming "Jesus uuu!, Jesus uuu!! Jesus uuu!!!" You'll begin to wonder if he's responsible for their pregnancy.
* You'll get naked with speed and alacrity. ''...Nobody will see my nakedness, except my husband...'', Wo! You'll open your Congo by yourself waa, when time reach, everything will be revealed. The fun part is that they'll ask your husband outta the room. Hahaha!
* There ain't no better singer than an expectant grandmother. Sincerely, Beyonce they learn work. Come see as all dem these mama dey throw chorus.
These women are so caring, they pray and sing before their daughter is delivered of the baby, after delivery they continue, but this time they do it shouting.
* You can't take away the pain. This is to the possessors of the JT that did the damage.Yes you can't take away the pain but you can ease it by staying with them especially if it is her first time. There is really no better time to show you care.
* Every child's first language is... IGBO! Every baby's first cry is "Uwa aaa uwa aaa... " When translated it means ''this life"How ironic aiit? #Yimu.
* Crying is auspicious. When the baby cries, for the first time everybody rejoices at the cry of another.
* There will be nothing like a mothers instinctive love. As weak as my sister was after the CS, each time she hears her baby's voice, you'll see this very weak lady stretching her hands towards the direction of the baby, that was one of the most memorable and touching moment.
* Women are natural carers. They still come to with their daughters when in labour. Great respect for women.
* It's always worth it. Young woman if you are not ready, pls don't do, the thing can fit pain eeh. But at the end it's always worth.
* Mothers of 10 how did you do it? Seriously, how did they do it?
*They say to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Forewarning the carer. In case you mistakenly find yourself caring for a pregnant woman in labour, adhere to the following:
* Wear only original and dark coloured cloth. This is very important especially if it's a first for the woman. Why? They will drag and pull anything they touch, my sister pulled my head, shirt, jean, she nearly pulled my JT. Na God save me.
* Train hard and put on helmet. I meant it when I said TRAIN, but if you are caught unawares put on a HELMET. I know my sis wasn't angry with me, but I still got occasional slaps on the face and the head. Just imagine I made her angry before hand, I for dey wear P.O.P now.
* Be ready to rub waist(s). I rubbed not only my sis waist, I also rubbed that of a woman lying adjacent to her. Don't worry they will appreciate you later.
* Tell her not to shout. Tell her to breath in and out through her mouth instead. For real, it makes the pain more bearable.
* Cesarean session is no death sentence. If she's has been in labour for up to 12 hours, please consider CS, so you don't lose the woman or the baby. My sister's baby was weak after CS but he is good now.
* Complain about anything. If she complains about anything don't be shy to call the nurses, after all you paid for their services. Don't assume!
* Complain about anything (baby). If the baby cries too much, complain!. If it doesn't cry, complain!. If the baby doesn't breath well, complain!. Be very observant of the baby.
In conclusion, the maternity clinic is a place of agony and pains, then joy and happiness at last. Children are a beautiful thing and a miracle. Now I feel greater pain for a woman who lose her child.
I disturbed the nurses eeh, they initially thought she was my wife, because of how much I cared. Now I'm still being appreciated by the staff and other families at the maternity home.
I have always loved children, but now I have more respect for the process through which they come to us.
The experience wasn't pleasant in any sense, but if I had to do it all over again for my loved ones, I will.
God bless my mother and every other mom and mom to be. Big ups.
Have you experienced labour before? Then let's read your story.
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