How I remember Mama Today

While I lay on the bed in moans and groans; turning and turning on either side intermittently, my only hope was that labour will progress faster; dilation of the cervix which is usually calculated in centimeters of 1,2,3,4….10 will also progress faster so I can push out my baby and be free. At this point the pain only kept aggravating as my heart throbbed and the contractions stung so deep.

In a moment I look towards the doorway that led into the maternity ward where I laid not knowing exactly what I was thinking and oh there she stood in a her immaculate white blouse and brown skirt and beaming with a smile – Mama. How did she get here so quickly? Earlier when contraction started, I had told hubby to call her: “Tell her to pray for me; she should not rush to come; I will be fine”

But there Mama stood! Her motherly instincts wouldn’t let her stay back. I heard her muttering as she walked towards my bed “Awww Abi, my daughter, you will be fine ok”.

And like a crying baby who had longed for her mother’s presence and attention, I managed a response in a quivering voice, “Mama I’m in real pain, do you think I can do it?” Yes you can, she responded, and added “its usually painful but you will sail through and soon”

The throbbing contraction and pain had made me forget food, my body was under intense pressure and wouldn’t allow in food, I needed to reach full dilation in order to go into the labour/ delivery ward for the pushes;

Mama dashed out; she returned with a bowl of porridge and encouraged me to gobble  down a few spoons. She sat by my bed, but I will stilless, too much pain to be still, she prayed in her heart for me I could feel it, she kept up the smile to signal a light of hope for me, she observed me, she helped me stand when I needed to.

After a while I was moved into the delivery room; baby arrived a little while after – sound and healthy and then we were back at the maternity ward.

Mama was first to come in; this time with a much broader smile as she said congratulations my dear daughter, we thank God, I knew you could do it, She held her grandson and said now let me get you some soup. This time I smiled back too.

Mama subsequently stayed with me for a few months: she cooked for me, helped me nurse my baby, nursed my wounds, taught me how to hold my baby, breastfeed him, bathe him and many others.

Today I celebrate my mum, my prayer bank, big sister and friend. I also celebrate my sisters, my female friends, aunties, female bosses, mentors and all the great women who have and continue to be mothers or play motherly roles in our lives.

Ask me any day, I would say mothers are the most amazing on earth.
Happy mothers’ day y’all