SATURDAY NIGHTS WITH SPARKS

My Horrible Hospital Experience

A couple of years ago, my mom begged me to stay with her friend in the hospital (a government hospital). This woman was in labor, with no relative around to assist. So here am I, in a ward filled with so many beds and women at different stages of labor. Some screaming, others hitting the bed, squeezing their faces...I was scared!!! (Women, I hail ooo. God bless una)

I kept scanning the ward, looking at the nurses all huddled up in one corner, gisting away with no concern, the only time they walked over to your bed was to accompany the doctor check the dilation. No form of encouragement to these women in labor whatsoever. In fact, if these pregnant women screamed too loudly, you could see and feel the disdain in their eyes as they all turned to locate the owner of the voice.

I was jolted back to reality with the yelling of the lady I was told to watch. "What are you doing here?? Shey I told you I want to ease myself and you refused to help me?? (Mind you, I was warned not to give her a bucket before the baby pops into it), she kept screaming at me and I was just numb.

The nurse walked over, and said, "all this one you are screaming, you haven't gone anywhere o, you people are not the first and won’t be the last". She hissed and walked away, deliberately moving her waist from left to right, so we could clearly see the vibration abi rotation of her ample ukwu!!

I was terrified. Few minutes later, she was asked to head to the labor room. For clarity, this first room is called the "crying room". I named it that, because that was all the women were doing, before you are moved to the "screaming and pushing room".

Hmm!! I sat by her bed in the new room, praying and hoping for a safe delivery. There was no light; they were using torchlight to deliver babies. All I heard was, "madam push na!! Stop wasting our time here, plenty hissing and cursing followed, "you mean you didn't buy pad?? Please I cant use another person's own for you". Lord!!! All these insults to someone at the height of excruciating pain??  Thank God, the lady had a baby boy.

I made up my mind there and then, not to go to hospitals except it's unavoidable. That experience was not one I would love to remember. Have you had a horrible hospital? Please share with us.

About the Author

Here is what Andikan Inyang also known as 'Sparks' has to say about herself......................

As a Chemical Engineering graduate, former Immigration Officer and present day banker.....and most importantly, a foodie, I hide behind my pen.......therein lies my strength. I hope to pursue a career in writing and explore the world of poetry. So help me God.