Nigeria with about (40-45%) of the population identifying as Christians and 45% as Muslims respectively; according to the religious literacy project, is one place where the earlier highlighted statistics help in the country serving as one fertile breeding ground for religious manipulation. This statement is one that has been used as a viable tool of shaming women who gave birth via the Elective cesarean section, commonly known as C.S. This is as opposed to Spontaneous vagina delivery which has been tagged as the normal delivery in this part of the world. When there is really no difference so far both the mother and child are in good condition after delivery.
Aside from the many problems facing the health sector in Nigeria, With maternal and infant mortality fundamental issues, it is high time we take discussions centered around the stereotypes surrounding childbirth in Nigeria more seriously. More work needs to be done to demystify the myths of childbirth in the country. In a predominantly religious country with churches, mosques, and alternative worship centers sprawled all over, much credence has been lend to the statement which also doubles as the title of this writing. One of the biggest contributions to the high figures on maternal mortality in the country is noted in this statement or the prayerful reference intended when the statement is made. More like, "May you give birth like Hebrew Women"
I get sick to my stomach whenever there is a new mother and there are some snide talks of how did she give birth. You hear, Oh she had some complications while giving birth; and the listener immediately retorts, was it through C.S? This is one conversation we have all been privy to. As this platform is solely dedicated to informing, and progressively changing narratives to the best of its ability, and sensitizing the populace on the things that matter. In a country where Vagina delivery is seen as the ideal or more like the norm, and elective cesarean section is seen as an anomaly in some parts. This line of thought exposes a void that needs to be filled with effective public health measures.
As it currently stands in Nigeria, according to the apex health body; the WHO, Nigeria is the country is where nearly 20% of all global maternal deaths happen. In 2015 alone, there were over 800 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births with approximately 58,000 maternal deaths going to occur that year alone. Between 2005 and 2015, it was estimated that over 600,000 maternal deaths and no less than 900,000 near-miss cases occurred in the country. With a population of over 200 million people, and a sizeable portion of that being women of reproductive age, this is a serious cause for concern. The WHO further states that a Nigerian woman has a 1 in 22-lifetime risk of dying during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum/post-abortion. Whereas in more developed societies, the lifetime risk is 1 in 4900. Such scary indexes; so what is the hope for the average Nigerian woman?
Twitter is one social media platform that is fast gaining popularity in the Nigerian media space. On getting on the app, I resolved to gain as much as possible from it; and learn from the experiences of a host of Nigerians. I trimmed my timeline to get away from the inanities which occur from time to time, and this has resulted in the inspiration needed to write this piece. Some times back, discussions were centered on seeing both types of delivery as normal so far the mother and child are in great condition. Much has been said about the widening gap between the rich and the poor being a principal cause of the soaring indexes on maternal and child mortality. The increasing inequality in access to quality healthcare services.
As mentioned earlier, Nigeria is one big, fertile ground for religious manipulation. I am so certain the God I worship does not support us losing our lives so unnecessarily. So why do our religious leaders continuously harp on the title statement, and in the process making mothers who give birth via cesarean section feel so unwelcome to the party. Much emphasis should be placed on the fact that there is nothing called a "normal" delivery. The many faith healing homes we have around are not excluded in this discourse as they in one way or the other contribute to the increasing mortality figures. There have been situations of birth being done halfway, complications arising before the operators become aware of what should have been done in the first place. Births should only be taking place in hospitals and approved community healthcare centers nationwide.
These homes should only be made to serve as centers where women are daily intimated with the means or methods by which they can have healthier trimesters. lastly, the partners to these women need to be as supportive as ever. Do not be a party to anything or any situation which would harm your spouse in any way. A lot still needs to be done in addressing the myths surrounding births in Nigeria and we have to start normalizing not seeing only spontaneous vaginal delivery as "normal"
Photo credit: Instagram @lexonart.
Maternal mortality would only significantly reduce with collaboration with faith healers, as you've mentioned. A lot of preventable complications arise due to lack of well established ante-natal care and the delay in getting help when things get out of hand.
ReplyDeleteWe really hope to do better as a nation in the healthcare of pregnant women.
Of course religious books are bound to various interpretations "as the spirit leads". That is the problem with making childbirth about religion since it is most often than not based on sentiments and prejudices and cultural biases.
ReplyDeleteI have been privy to women stories who lost their babies because they abhorred C&S. They had faith that "god" will come through for them like the Hebrews women. My problem is why the Hebrew Woman has become such a strong statement of the ideal woman in dressing, lifestyle even childbirth for the average christian religious woman so that anything that doesn't fit that structure immediately becomes null and void.
Well I'd make a grand pan-African statement and say we all return to our roots but I'd first advise to decolonize our minds, create more spaces for women without judging them on those hypocritical standards of society, remember that a woman owns her body, no ifs, no buts.
But most importantly to the woman: realise your stand, yourself, understand why you're here and why you respect the things you do, create your life."
This is so spot on; what was I thinking I should have added this. You are so spot on with your opinions and why did we start this, of course it is to give room for opinions like this. Thanks for this,
DeleteWomen need to know their health and the baby comes forward. I have been privy to discussions where women continuously labor for so long without respite because their spouses does not want to sign for a caesarean section that would have made things easier.
No birth is normal, and we need to normalize seeing any form of delivery so far both the mother and child and in good health as the ideal delivery.
Nice write up
ReplyDeleteMy friend with the maze-like head, you have once again astonished me with this aesthetic piece. The problem you highlited above is a fragment of major issue arising from ignorance. This has bedeviled us as a continent and made us seem like the black sheep in the center stage of the world.
ReplyDeleteWe are in a age where knowledge is rapidly increasing such that those that aim to stay ahead or lead are the well informed. The article explicitly explains one of the age long myths about child bearing predominant in this part of the world, a major cause in the rise of maternal mortality. There are however other causes that are akin to this and their ilk. An example is where a man forbids a male obstetrician from attending to his wife based on religious notions.
This and many others can best be tackled by creating awareness and dispensing accurate knowledge on issues that pertain to life and wellbeing. This you have always done and I am assured you will be committed to through this medium. My duty will be to enlighten others and broadcast this intelligent piece.
Thanks.