"I Always Tell My Husband That We Wont Die Without Having Children" - 68 Years Old Mum

Margaret Adenuga, 68, recently had a set of twins at the maternity ward of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, after being childless since she got married in 1976. She tells GBENRO ADEOYE how she handled the attendant pressure over the years

How did you feel when you realised you were pregnant and when you eventually had your twins after being childless for over four decades?

I was very happy throughout the period I was pregnant up until when I delivered. I was very strong, I did not fall ill at all while I was pregnant and till I delivered. I was surprised myself. I thank God. People were saying, ‘Mama, you are very strong.’ I was wondering how that was possible. The only thing I felt was that the two of them made me heavy; that was the only feeling I had during the period. I couldn’t move my body easily or smartly, I was heavy.
 

My tummy was very small so some people were surprised when I had twins. They said ‘from that small tummy?’ How were you able to cope with the pain that came with the CS?

It went on smoothly. The doctors also said ‘Mama, you are very strong’. They didn’t sedate me so I saw everything they were doing in the theatre. They were all praising me. I thank God; it was not by my power.

When a couple are childless in Nigeria, they, particularly the woman, are put under pressure by family and friends, what was the worst kind of pressure you faced?

I only focused on God because there was nothing I could do. Only God could do it. I didn’t put pressure on myself, I continued to pray. I didn’t bother myself. I knew God would do it and He has done it.

Did you lose hope at any time?

I had faith. I didn’t lose hope. I never lost hope for once. I always told my husband that we would not die like this; that was my motto.

I knew we would see our children before we would die. He too had faith and he always told me not to worry, that God would do it for me. I put my faith in God.