A 26‑year‑old woman from Akwa Ibom, Mrs. Mmema‑Abasi David‑Efe, spent three days in labour before delivering her daughter. She recounts the terrifying ordeal and the joy that followed.
Before going into labour, she had heard mixed stories—some happy, some tragic—and hoped for a smooth delivery. On 12 January 2022, at around 1 a.m., she felt a sharp, piercing pain. Because her husband worked in another city, she had moved in with her parents for support during her ninth month. That night she screamed for her mother, but there was little they could do. They urged her to endure the pain until daybreak, citing the country’s security situation. Throughout the night she rolled from one edge of the bed to the other and paced constantly to cope with the contractions.
She reached the hospital at about 5 a.m. Her father had already called her husband, who arrived immediately. Relatives gathered, excited that the baby would be the family’s first grandchild. Yet, despite their expectations, the baby did not arrive that day. Other women gave birth and left while she remained in the labour ward, hearing many newborn cries. The doctors reassured her, saying that because it was her first pregnancy, a few hours might be all that was needed. By evening, there was still no progress; she was only two centimetres dilated.
The medical team admitted her and began induction, giving her anaesthesia so she could rest. She slept, woke, and remained at two centimetres dilation, growing increasingly frustrated. She kept pleading, “God, this is not what I expected; I should be holding my baby by now.” On the second day, a new doctor reviewed her file. Her body shook, and the baby still would not emerge. Another dose of induction was administered, but she felt her strength waning. She could feel the baby kicking, yet something seemed to hold her in. The doctors could not explain the delay, and she wondered whether it was spiritual. Despite the growing tension in the hospital and prayers for her life, she refused to lose hope. After the second induction, she was still at two centimetres. The doctor expressed fear, saying, “I am afraid, ma. This is not how it is supposed to be,” which sent her into panic. A prayer team was formed, and even the nurses were anxious, commenting on how she seemed like a shadow, drained of strength. The baby’s heartbeat began to drop, and the staff feared for both their lives.
On the third day, her sister urged a caesarean section. She agreed, desperate for the baby to be born and for peace. She felt she was fighting for her life alone, as if the baby had been struggling for more than two days. After discarding her phone in frustration, she was moved to a separate ward to avoid frightening other expectant mothers. While preparations for surgery were underway, she felt a sudden kick and shouted, “Doctor, I want to poop!” The doctor replied that they would need to enter the labour ward. Another doctor suggested she was too weak to push and should be taken to the theatre. When a nurse finally checked her dilation, they discovered she was fully dilated—10 cm. Despite this, she was taken to the operating room on a stretcher. Exhausted, having not eaten for three days, she was forced to drink water and was drugged to sleep. She passed out upon entering the labour room.
During the caesarean, doctors urged her to push, saying, “Young woman, push this baby before you die.” Multiple doctors entered, and an instrument was used to extract the baby, who was immediately rushed to the Intensive Care Unit because her heartbeat had slowed. She was too tired to feel anything. When her husband arrived, he was initially stunned, then rushed to hug her despite the blood, almost in tears.
After the birth, she required additional stitching because the instrument had torn her private area. Double stitching was applied, but she began bleeding again, necessitating another operation. She nearly died from the bleeding. The experience was both painful and sweet; recounting it feels surreal. She cannot believe she now stands strong and healthy after three days of labour, stitches, and severe bleeding. She thanks God for everything.
The baby spent about five days in the ICU, receiving antibiotics due to the prolonged labour and ingestion of amniotic fluid. She is now a “big girl” and thriving.
Reflecting on the ordeal, she says it taught her that testing God reveals His presence. Before her child’s birth, she did not consider herself a deep Christian, but the experience strengthened her faith. She believes God never fails: “When God starts a project in one’s life, He will surely complete it. The devil may try to steal your joy, but God will show Himself strong for you.” Her only remaining fear is how to be an excellent mother to her beautiful daughter, hoping not to fail in her maternal role.
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