THE PUNCH
Giving birth through Caesarean Section has been demonised by society over the years. This has cost many women their lives, thus, contributing to Nigeria’s ranking as the second country with the highest maternal, neonatal and child mortality figure globally, AMARACHI OKEH writes
When Toluwani Esho was informed by her doctor that she would birth her baby through a Caesarean Section due to safety concerns, disappointment set in, especially as she had anticipated and keenly looked forward to vaginal delivery.
For her, the biblical Hebrew women’s experience had been prophesied as her lot by many pastors, and the new verdict by the doctor seems to contradict her belief.
Going against the doctor’s recommendation, after being in labour for 48 hours, she knew if she didn’t accept CS, she could lose her baby or her own life.
When she eventually agreed after the dangers of going against the doctor’s advice were laid bare, getting the approval of her husband became another hurdle to cross.
He would not hear anything of it and vehemently kicked against the CS option by holding on to what his pastor, especially, said.
Moreover, not having the sum needed for the procedure made it a difficult choice.
When Toluwani eventually went into labour weeks later, for hours, she writhed in pain as dilation of the cervix progressed slowly.
At a point, family and friends begged and appealed to her husband to sign the approval form authorising the operation to avert the loss of both mother and child.
Recounting her experience, she said, “My husband was the only one that wasn’t in support of me undergoing the surgery. It was after he saw how much pain I was in during labour, coupled with my mother’s begging that his heart softened.”
According to her, after the delivery, life has not been easy as the experience left her depressed and sad.
“I usually have suicidal thoughts,” she told our correspondent with a sad expression.
While Toluwani was lucky, some women were not, and one of them was Nneoma Ogadi.
The desire of this young woman to one day hold her baby after two painful miscarriages, was killed when her husband dragged her from the hospital while in labour to a run-down…
