No Less a Woman

Sluggishly she walks into the hospital
This is her first visit after 7 months already heavy
"Mrs. Effiong, why did you have to wait this long before coming?"
Asks the voice of a concerned Doctor.
"Dr. I know that I will be okay and born my pikin
I go born this child like my mother born me.
I just visted because my husband insisted.
In fact I wouldn't be here if he never brought me"
She bluffs in defense of her ignorance.

Hours after the examines the outcome scans
He doctor approaches the OPD
"Who's Madam Effiong?" He inquired.
"I am here Oga Dockintor"
Madam please you really need a CS.
Wetin be CS sir?
Cesarean Section he explains.

You've done three scans already
all indicates and confirms that your placenta is lying
and it is covering the passage of your baby.
If you dare to put to bed through the natural way
You'll bleed to death.

That is not true!
I will not bleed to death
I join my faith with my pastor mmm ttt yyy xxx
I cannot die in child birth
She convinced herself"

source
The Dr knows that she is bent on her decision
But she is certainly not gonna make it in that labour room
Mr. Effiong's attention is called to the misunderstanding
and difficult decision his wife has taken
It takes the remaining months and few hours to delivery
Before Mrs Effiong changed her mind to go for CS

In the theatre, panic takes over the room'
But hours later a baby cries out
Surgery outcome is successful
Mother and baby are alive.
Adverse condition and complications averted.

Mr. and Mrs. Effiong are happy for the birth of a new life
Everybody is happy until the pastor's sermon says
That it's not God's plan or will to go through CS
since our forefathers never gave birth in the hospital
Talkless of a Cesarean Section.
"Any woman who cannot put to to bed the natural way,
is nothing but a failure to God and womanhood"
All the women jump to claim the statement
as though it was a cash spread.

After church service, her fellow women spite her
Are you a woman sef?
It's not just being a mother.
You don't know what it means to deliver like a "real woman"
This is the worst day for Mrs Effiong in Church.
and out of frustration she tells the women
swearing right there in the alter not to do CS anymore.

That may have made her feel a bit better though

But two years have passed and here she is at home
Seven hours is gone and she has lost the water and strength
The Baby is not coming out and Hospital is our destination
Two minutes drive to but no return.
She could not even get into the hospital when her pulse ceased
Husband begs Doctor to help
Do all you can I'll pay
And all the Doctor could do is confirm her dead.

Mr. Effiong is now a a widower
For the sin of ignorance and societal stigma
His late wife was made to believe that she was less a woman
But right now, she's in the grave and NO LONGER A HUMAN.

Please say no to ignorance and stigmatizing against woman that undergo Cesarean Section. They too are humans and mothers too. Mrs. would still have been alive today.

I am @voclab