...cont.
Your mum was getting restless and it was scary to watch, I was afraid she was gonna let you out there, in the open, in the rain. I rushed upstairs and knocked on our neighbor's door (Frank) begged him for his tyre jack, got it and dashed down. Changed the tyre there in the drizzling rain, while your mum went back into the house to wait for me. I was done and we headed straight to the hospital. The roads were very bad in Owerri and no area was spared, so there was a lot of potholes and bumps on the road and each bump I get into, your mum's cramps become worse. At a point, I had to pull over and allow her calm down a bit before we continued. It was scary, because on one hand, I needed to get to the hospital as quickly as possible, on the other hand, had to go as slow as possible because of the bad roads and all the bumps. What a nightmare.
Well, it dragged for a good while but we finally got to the hospital, in-between numerous stops, because the intervals between the cramp was getting shorter and the pain was new every time and unbearable too. We got to the hospital and the Doctor wasnt there, it was on a Sunday and that was to be expected in a Nigerian hospital, as it usually a slow working day. I talked to the girl at the desk and she asked us to wait a while so she could get a nurse to check on your mum. The nurse came, and was trying to make light of your mum's situation - you know, because they have seen too many labor situations and to her this was nothing to be worried about. She could be right, but it is usually annoying for the person feeling the pains and the people they came with.
Finally, she took your mum into the checking room to ascertain the diameter and the situation of the cramps and all. A few moments later, the checks were done and it was time to brief us. She said, from her examinations that your mum wasnt due for at least another day. Suggested we go home and come back the next day. Go home? I was agigated and very worried now. Your mum is was there twisting and turning and this lady nurse is telling us to go home. Well, the pain was getting too much now and your mum was losing her cool and snapping at me for things she would have normally just smiled about. She asked for us to go, saying she needed to lay down, she needed to rest. I didnt think that was such a good idea, given how events were unfolding rapidly, but she insisted so we left. We drove through Amakohia, because I hadnt eaten that day and it was almost 5pm already and I needed to buy us some food at 'U and I' (Your mum loved their Okro soup, me, I loved all their soup. Hahaha).
We bought food and continued home to Orji (My family house), it was a long hard ride as expected but we managed. When we arrived, my mum was there (your grandma). She asked us a couple of questions pertaining to how your mum was feeling and what the verdict was at the hospital. I told them what the nurse said and she said was outraged, she said its a lie, we are going back there right now, she dashed back into the room to get some stuff. I had to rush my food, because I feared that was the only chance I had if I wanted to eat it. Hahahaha. My mum came out, still outraged by what the nurse said about the baby not being ready and suggesting we come back next day. She said to be on the safer side, its best your mum is there at the hospital and I agree whole heartedly.
Once I was done with my food, we headed back to the hospital, this time in the company of my mum (your grandma). We got there and met the same nurse, she understood at first glance that our presence meant we didnt agree with her initial evaluation of the stage of the pregnancy. This time, we insisted on seeing a doctor, patient power speaking here. She told us to sit and exercise a little patience, we did. Well, we just waited, we werent patient at all, how could we? Your mum was getting more restless by the minute. She couldn't sit, she couldn't stand, she just wanted to lay down, and when she had the opportunity to lay down, she didnt like it. It was really scary, I didnt know this was what pregnant women and concerned husbands have to go through every time a baby is on the way. This is a big deal.
