18/03/2024
“We will not be able to explain the happiness that parents have seeing the progressive growth of their offspring”.
~ Mazi Samuel Udonsi Okoroafor (1945-2023)
Indeed our joy is boundless seeing how baby Carmiela is growing smart and waxing strong.
We are grateful to God for the agility of Carmiela Akudo Sam-Okaychukwu; she is 2 months already!!!
About two (2) months ago, precisely on 18th January, 2024 my wife has gone to work; by 1:37pm, I got a call from her that I should be coming to the hospital with the baby bag, then the call ended. I dialed her number to find out one or two information but the line did not connect. So I hurriedly left my office, straight to the house, carried the bag and zoomed off to the hospital.
She called again to know about my position – that she is already 6 centimeters, this got me intensified as I wished I could just appear immediately at the hospital. Her maid of honour; Prudence John joined me to the hospital and we arrived 2:35pm.
I asked my wife, what’s the update; what are the nurses and doctors saying, my wife casually told me that the nurse said to her “madam, you are 6 centimeters already – did you wanted to put to bed in your office”? She was admitted immediately she arrived the hospital.
So we swiftly moved to the Labour Room, kept the bag, and I stayed behind at the reception while Miss Prudence and the nurse was with her in the room.
As a curious and expectant father, after a while, I worked into the labour room and asked the nurse how ‘many centimeters’? “8 centimeters”, she replied. Then I left the room – highly emotional seeing the travails my wife is going through, then my wife shouted aloud” God help me!”.
On seeing her go through that pains, I pondered and concluded that the pain women go through during pregnancy and delivery is enough reason for them to be loved unconditionally by their spouses.
I was praying in the Spirit with faith in God. Meanwhile, 2 doctors were checking on her on intervals.
At about 4:43pm, my lovely wife was moved to the delivery room. I was standing and walking around the delivery room corridor. At 4:58pm one of the nurses came out of the delivery room to pick up some stuff, and then told me “oga congratulations, your wife delivered a baby girl”, immediately my nerves were calmed and joy caught me like cobwebs.
Then the door of the delivery room was opened and one of the nurses said to me, “oga, come and carry your baby”, you could see the joy like someone who won a casino.
I walked majestically to the neonatal room, on opening the door, I paused and told the nurse that the air conditioner is on, the nurse laughed and said, ‘this is okay for the baby’. In my mind, I was just being careful – a first-time father like me! Then my wife was accompanied by the nurse to the room where the baby was laid.
According to my dad (of blessed memory), “New born brings an overwhelming joy to any home.”
CARMIELA AKUDO SAM-OKAYCHUWU is a radiant of joy in our home.
Glory to God for His love, guidance, provision and protection.
