IMOW - Motherhood – A Choice and a Blessing

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Motherhood – A Choice and a Blessing
Osai Justina Ojigho

Nigeria

GALLERY

CONVERSATION

In my culture, women get married and have babies immediately, preferably before the first wedding anniversary.

One thing we all have in common is that we were and are working mothers. My grandmother had her shop and business, my mum is a trained nurse, and I am a lawyer. However, I feel it is more difficult for me to cope with the role because I am in a more visible and demanding career and good childcare is hard to find and expensive. The impression I also get from society is that women must constantly choose between a fulfilling career and a happy home.

Sometimes I wonder whether I was wrong to delay having children, especially given that most doctors recommend that women have their first children before they turn thirty. But I find that because my pregnancy was planned, I was prepared mentally, physically and financially. I was also very knowledgeable about my body, the changes I was experiencing and what kind of birth I wanted. I would like to point out that I am not against early childbirth. Everyone’s situation is different.

I also believe motherhood is a blessing. The joy of having a child cannot be described. It is undefined and infinite. The responsibility you feel towards this little one who relies on you totally for what he or she needs is overwhelming. You are willing to do anything to see them smile, make them happy and comfortable.

In my culture, it is considered bad luck or, worse, a curse to be childless. Some of these women face taunts, abuse, and indifference. In cases where polygamy is celebrated, a childless woman may have to contend with another woman who successfully bears children for the husband. I am therefore glad that science has done much to help in the area of fertility treatment. I believe that while the pain of childlessness is still evident in society, much of the stigma is now gone.
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