OMUGUO

It is customary in most Nigerian cultures to have a nursing mum's mother come over when a baby is born. She is to ensure that both Mum and baby are fine. Omuguo is an Igbo word that describes this process. The word has now become a Nigerian word for the process. Omuguo, though practiced across the country, has many variations. For instance, I'm told that among the Yorubas, the mother-in-law is responsible for the job. In my state, the nursing mum goes back to her people and will stay there until she is fully recovered.

Omuguo is a very good tradition as it gives a nursing mum a lot of time to rest and I think the tradition should stay. However, there are some nursing mums who don't have mothers or mothers-in-law and others who have and are not disposed at the time(my case). I think expectant mums should plan ahead and make preparation  for rest and support. I wasn't prepared for what I got especially as a first time mum. My mothers had cause to leave before baby was two weeks and it was until they left that I realised how important they were to me. I suddenly didn't have a moment of rest plus my hormones were still everywhere.

 As useful as omuguo is, many times our mothers forget that what worked for them must not necessarily work for us, so there are cases of new mums having a running battle with their mums over a lot of issues. From sitting on hot water after an episiotomy to giving your one week old baby water even when you are exclusively breastfeeding.

 Dear nursing mum, always remember that your mum means well and is doing a very great job.

FASTING AND PREGNANCY

Fasting is one spiritual exercise that cuts across many religions. I'm a Christian so fasting isn't a strange topic for me.It is very common to have denominations call for corporate fast at the beginning of every year to commit the year into God's hands. Apart from these corporate fasts whch can happen as many times as possible in a year, there are also times when you just want that alone time with your God; what better way to achieve this than taking a fast.

I was about six weeks pregnant, when we started our new year fast. I knew that I shouldnt fast in my condition, in fact pregnant women were specifically excused but I decided that there were too many serious things I wanted from God this year so I would fast till 12noon. My dear Mummies, it wasnt easy at all combining that with how terrible I had began to feel (thanks to first trimester). I would just lie on one spot, reading the Bible till 12 noon. As the days passed, my symptoms increased and my weakness increased. Then one day, I decided to rush to the market to pick up a few things to cook, while buying stuffs, I just blacked out and was headed for the ground but for the help of good hearted women. I narrated what happened to my mum later that evening, she just said: "God did not send you that one".

 I knew it was wrong, I just did it out of stubbornness but there are a lot of people who are completely ignorant and feel it's a sacrifice to God. Some 'churches' even place pregnant women on seven days dry fasting and call it 'Assignment'. Truth is, staying pregnant is a lot of sacrifice in itself.. Submitting yourself to God's will to be the channel for birthing his image. I believe God would prefer that, fetal life be nurtured to the point of birth than a sacrifice of no food. Doctors always advise against it for medical reasons, so

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please consult with your doctor when next you are given an 'assignment' during pregnancy.

First Trimester

Soon after finding out you are pregnant, you are introduced into a world you never imagined. First trimester signs can be so frustrating and if you're a first time mum, the feeling is worse. I was fortunate, I didn't have morning sickness but uneasy evenings were common. Sore nipples, nausea, metallic taste, loss or gain of appetite, vomiting, spitting(God spared me that) and the most frustrating for me - smells are common characteristics of first trimester. Everything and everyone had bad odour, I was so grateful when this phase ended. For some other people, they are easily agitated and irritated during this phase while others can go through this phase without any of the signs listed here.

The good news is that, no matter how terrible you feel during the first trimester, it will pass and you will feel as though it never happened. In fact, you are most likely going to miss it especially if you are a first time mum because it was the only way you knew you were still pregnant. What's important is doing the right things which include eating well and right, taking your prenatal supplements prescribed by the doctor and attending your antenatal clinics. You should as much as possible avoid long journies except it is absolutely necessary and your doctor must certify you fit for the trip. You must also avoid indiscriminate use of prescription medicines.

 Here are a few tips to survive this trimester as a Naija mum:Pepper for nausea (Cameroon/Ghanian or whatever it is called where you stay worked for me); TomTom, chewing gum to control spitting; Bitter kola for metallic/bitter taste. Please do not use 'nzu' or calabar chalk or clay it isn't healthy. Drink water, use the ladies as the need arises(no 'holding' urine) and very importantly have access to your gynaecologist.

If there is any tip you know that isn't mentioned in this post, feel free to drop it in the comment box, remember, this site is all about the facts, myths, everything. PLEASE NOTE:ALL THE TIPS MENTIONED IN THIS POST HAVE NOT BEEN SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN AND THEREFORE CANNOT BE USED IN PLACE OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES PRESCRIBED BY YOUR DOCTOR.

AM I PREGNANT?

Our people say pregnancy cannot be hidden, eventually all eyes will see. Before that happens, or even the popular morning sickness arrives, how can you tell you are pregnant? Basically the delayed monthly flow gives after having unprotected sex is one indicator. However, the best way to be sure is to run a pregnancy test. Naija Mummies with babies, let's hear how you found out you were pregnant.

WELCOME

The Internet is flooded with so much information on pregnancy and nursing. As a first time mum I found most very helpful but about 40% wasn't exactly relevant to a Nigerian mum having her baby in Nigeria. I had a lot of questions I didn't quite get answers to, I longed for birth clubs with members who could discuss issues ranging from malaria during pregnancy to sitting on hot water after birth; the facts, the myths, all of it. Then it hit me, that can only happen where naija mummies are talking having babies naija style. So if my story sounds like yours, you are welcome to learn and share the Nigerian mum experience.