Being a midwife is hard labour – it takes dedication, an understanding and caring attitude, an ability to get on well with people from a wide range of backgrounds, emotional and mental strength, good observation, an ability to act on one’s own initiative, patience, maturity and a willingness to take responsibility.
The work entails providing prenatal and postpartum care; caring for women during childbirth, including monitoring the mother and foetus during labour, assessing labour progress, managing complications, assisting with pain management and delivering the newborn and placenta safely.
The world celebrated the International Day of the Midwife on Friday, May 5. This year’s theme was “Together again: from evidence to reality”.
Hajja Maimuna, a local Maiduguri midwife, can’t even recall the number of babies she’s delivered in the 20 years she has been doing this work.
She shakes her head and laughs. Then says: “Hundreds.”
She learnt about midwifery from the women in her family, many of whom have passed the skills down the line for generations.
She regards her work as a service to the community. She’s on call every day and night.
“I watched and later helped when my mother, aunts and grandmother – all midwives – were working. I learnt the more technical aspects when I joined the maternity ward at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and at other clinics within the state and was awarded a certificate.
“Although I love the work I do, the salary is very low and sometimes I deliver babies without charging the women, many of whom live in poverty.
“When I lost my certificate in a fire, I continued my work. Even though I did not attend college or university, through working in the hospital and clinics, I was taught to use a drip, inject a patient, check on the due date of birth, give tablets and other pain relief.
“I think I provide a valuable service to the women in my community. Sometimes I deliver four or five babies in one day. I now have a partner at the hospital called Sunni. If I encounter any complications, I immediately advise the patient to go to hospital. I am known by all the hospitals and clinics within Maiduguri and they acknowledge my work and if I refer a woman to hospital, they know it is for a good reason. The medical institutions support me and my work. It’s my contribution to society.”
Inna Goni Bukar, a resident of Maiduguri, said: “Hajja Maimuna helps many women in the community. We are grateful to her for the work she does. Every woman loves her. She even helps women who can’t afford delivery expenses.”
A woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said Maimuna had helped many, including herself, without “charging a penny”.
Zara Muhammad Kadai, a nurse at the Mohammed Shuwa Memorial Hospital in Maiduguri said: “As science and medicine improve, we have learnt advanced treatment in the delivery of babies. These days there are far fewer cases of babies dying during childbirth.
“But working in the maternity ward can be challenging. We often experience blackouts and we lack facilities and equipment. This poses a threat to us and the patients. Staff shortages also make the job more stressful. Sometimes we have 20 or more women about to give birth around the same time. It can be exhausting.
“We need more facilities and equipment at our hospitals to make life better for us and to ensure the patients have an easy and safe delivery.”
Kadai said midwives in the community were doing an excellent job. And they helped ease the pressure at hospitals and clinics.
“Midwives do a great job. We often give them advice if they encounter problems. They are dedicated women and the community trusts them. The first thing we teach them is to ensure the delivery room is clean, the equipment is sterilised and to look out for any infections the newborn might have.
“They are brave women who are committed to their work. They are an asset to the community. They certainly help take some of the pressure off hospitals. Without them, we would be overwhelmed and would not be able to cope with the number of women who are giving birth.”
AISHA SD JAMAL
