What is your baby’s name?
My baby’s name is Omotoyosi also known as Toyobaby. Immediately after she was conceived, my husband began to call her those names. Her other names are Omolara, Oluwanifemi Oba.
Who does she look like?
She looks very much like her father. In fact, I always say that she sleeps like him. They both have the same allergies and they both have a birthmark located on the same spot on their bodies. She is his replica; I find it surprising because girls mostly look like their mothers but I am not complaining. I love the fact that she looks like him.
Did you feel uncomfortable exposing your body to the doctor and nurses after you were delivered of your baby?
At the point of delivery, all I kept saying to myself was “this baby should come out.” I could not be bothered about anyone ‘noticing’ my body. In fact, one of them was surprised I was not complaining about my privacy which prompted her to ask if I was really a first-timer mother. Doctors and nurses have protocols they have to observe before the final delivery process. I must say, they did their jobs perfectly.
Some pregnant women complain about nurses being unkind to them during delivery. Did any of the nurses treat you unfairly?
The nurses were nice to me. I thank God for that. There was no strange behaviour from any of them. In fact, there was a particular nurse who stood by me all through my labour period. She carried out her job with much passion.
What did you do while in labour?
I did not poo. My mother was with me all through and she told me before stepping out of the labour room that she must not hear me scream like other women. I tried so hard for her not to hear me scream during labour. Her word gave me strength.
Did you deliver your baby naturally or through caesarean section?
I gave birth to my baby through caesarian section. My baby arrived two weeks after my expected delivery date. We were advised to either induce the labour or go for C-section. After due consultation with the main stakeholder, my husband (laughs), we decided to give the inducement a trial, which made me go into labour. It lasted for hours; but the size of my pelvic could not allow the baby pass through. She weighed 3.9kg, the doctor then decided I should undergo C-section. My daughter was born later day in the evening.
What was going through your mind while the C-section was going on?
I was praying before the anesthetics and for the rest of the process. In fact, I remember dreaming that I was in Disneyland with my daughter and nieces; I was awoken by congratulatory messages from the doctors and nurses.
Did you look prettier during your pregnancy?
Yes I did. There were no major changes in my first and second trimesters. I became prettier and more beautiful with my swollen face.
I loved the attention I received during pregnancy; I got special treatment from home and family members who rallied round me.
What types of food did you crave for during pregnancy?
I always craved for spicy food, fruits (especially agbalumo — African star apple) and vegetables.
Were you active during your pregnancy?
I was extremely active. I always wanted to cook and go out always which was unlike me. Before I was pregnant, I enjoyed staying indoors.
How did you feel when you bathed your baby for the first time?
I looked at the bundle of joy in my hand with amazement. She looked so cute because she had this beautiful smile on her face (and she still wears that smile) and all I could do was to thank God for His gift. She is adorable.
Based on all the drama that comes with pregnancy and childbirth, if you had your way, would you prefer to come into this world again as a man or woman?
I would choose to come into this world as a woman. I love being a woman. A woman is a strong being, we make and build nations. Motherhood is a divine calling and to be chosen by God to be a mother is a blessing. I am forever grateful to God for making me a woman.
Do you breastfeed your baby in public?
Yes I do. I am not ashamed of breastfeeding my daughter in public. I hear some women say they cannot breastfeed their baby in public and I find that absurd.
How many kids do you want to have and why that number?
I want to have three kids (I hope my next will be a set of twins). I love children; in fact, I would love to have a family of five.
What myths did you hear about delivery or labour?
My husband and I monitored a website dedicated to pregnant women. We used to receive weekly information from the website. Hence, we turned a deaf ear to myths.
Has your baby started eating solid food?
Yes, she has. She had five months of exclusive breastfeeding. She recently started eating other food. She does not like any specific meal for now. It will take time to adjust to eating solid food.
Some mothers experienced panic attacks the first few nights after the birth of their babies. Did that happen to you?
I did not experience panic attacks whatsoever. Some of my friends said they did but that did not happen to me.
What were your worries when you began to breastfeed your baby?
At a point, I felt my breast milk was not sufficient for her. I came to realise that a mother’s nutrition is key. I increased the rate I ate which positively affected my production of milk. I began to produce more milk. I also had to do a lot of reading about breastfeeding. After a while, I realised that everything my baby needs to grow strong and healthy is in my milk. It is the normal food for my baby. In an article, I read that a mother and her baby would need to work together to establish her milk supply and maintain it as her baby grows.
What does motherhood mean to you?
Motherhood means sacrifice, strength, being a positive role model and loving unconditionally. It also means experiencing someone else’s pain and taking it as one’s. Sometimes, I get tired due to sleepless nights but when I see her smiling I realise the sacrifice is completely worth it. Motherhood is a great calling given to women by God; it is the greatest job in the world.
Motherhood means walking into the toughest job on earth. My mother always says that motherhood comes with huge responsibilities and requires a lifetime commitment. This job does not have annual or sick leave. Quitting is not allowed. Yet we still have people loving this job and I am one of them. Motherhood allows me to stretch my heart and my capability in ways that I could never imagine.
source: http://punchng.com/mother-warned-not-scream-labour-oba
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