He won!

Nnaemeka

As I got back from an evening walk one Tuesday in October of 2001, Victor asked when my next doctor's appointment was and I told him it was the next day but I had no plans to go.

Victor was livid for an obviously good reason; I was heavily pregnant and could pop at any moment and he just could not understand why I wanted to go to a salon instead of a hospital on my hospital appointment date.

We argued the better part of that evening because I was adamant. My mind was made up to go and get my hair done in preparation of the birth of my baby.

Later that night I was woken up by a sharp pain and all I could think of doing was go and try to use the toilet.

Forcing myself to pass stool all night from about 2am to 6am in the morning was all I could do to relieve myself of pain.

I looked forward to daybreak so I could get the same injection that I received at four months when I went into a false labour. The medication put me to the best sleep I ever had in life and I remember just lying down on the rug in the lawyer's study in the law chambers that I was attached to as a law school requisite.

The managing partner and my other colleagues graciously let me sleep till Victor came in the evening to take his wife home.

When I struggled through pains to take a shower that morning all I could think of was catching up on lost sleep.

It was on my way to the hospital that it occurred to me that I could be in labour. I would sit still in pain while in traffic just so I wouldn't attract any attention to myself from other road users.

While the traffic lasted I thought of dear mother several years ago being in the same situation I'd found myself in. I was told that father drove her to the hospital when she went into labour but before they arrived mother gave birth to me in the car. (That is why I am a damn good driver and love road trips.lol)

The thought terrified me and I feared that I wouldn't get to the hospital soon enough and secondly I wouldn't even know how to push my baby out without aid. 

"God, this is my first child, I was mother's eighth, she could do it,  I can't. Please get me to the hospital on time. Amen"

God answered my prayers, the roads suddenly became free and I got to the hospital faster than expected. As soon as I arrived Imperial Hospital in Ebutte Metta, it was confirmed by the matron that I was ready to become a mother.

Victor arrived hours later all decked up for work. Just like me he missed the signs. I guess we both knew we were expecting a child but didn't know how the baby would come out. 

I watched as the matron led him into the delivery room like a child. He was literally shaking. (Shaking like he would never come near me again.lol)

He begged to leave but the medical team asked him to stay. Victor prayed over my head in deep confusion; without completing the Hail Mary he would jump into Our Father and The Lord is my shepherd.

It was so funny but I couldn't laugh; all that mattered to me was birthing my baby.

After a few pushes, Nnaemeka David Victor Nwosisi came forth wailing with all his might. He weighed 4.25kg and so I had to learn a new word - episiotomy. The pain from the episiotomy weeks later had me rush back to the hospital. Dear mother in law asked the doctor to check and confirm that he did not suture the wrong hole of marital bliss.😊

Nnaemeka went under the light shortly after his birth to fight chronic jaundice. He won.

At four months he went under the knife for a constructive surgery. He won.

At four years he nearly lost his  right eye from playing with a pipe. He won again.

I celebrate my winner, my son Nnaemeka as he turns 17. Keep winning and keep soaring son. God's got your back fully.