“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” ~ Proverbs‬ ‭16:9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

I was about 30weeks when the Dr told me that my baby is big for the gestational age, he recommended some series of test like Glucose tolerance test which came out negative. He advised me to go for cesarean section, I was scared initially knowing that it was a major surgery. My husband was also afraid,he was not sure of the outcome of the surgery. I wanted a miracle to have my baby vaginally.

Initially I declined going for surgery but God in his infinite mercy knew what was best for me, thank God for my sister who encouraged me. My last scan was at 36weeks and I was told my expected foetal weight was 4.3kg. So I thought to myself that I can have vaginal birth since my first delivery was a vaginal birth and my baby weighted 3.7kg.

God had mercy on me I went into labor 2weeks before edd. I was booked for emergency cesarean section and was delivered of a baby girl weighing 5kg. My baby was admitted into special baby unit,she had hypoglycemia of 1mmol/l. The rest is testimony, she is alive. What if I had refused c-section at that time, I would have lost my baby and still have c-section because there was no way I could have delivered her vaginally.

I hope my story touches someone

Story by Mrs. M. O. Nwogwu

Picture credit: Google

“We are all created in God’s image and we are like our father – God. His wisdom, he has availed us and doctors are no exception. Just as God can use any man, the doctors are no exception.” ~ Phebe (Reju) Olaniran

After waiting for 6yrs before I conceived my son, I went into spontaneous labor and because of my history of waiting, we were not ready to take chances for vaginal delivery, hubby signed the form and behold my Isaac was born safely, almost 14yrs now, we are doing great by His grace.

Fast forward to 11 yrs after my Isaac was born, God visited us again, this time with double blessing….I had early labor so babies had to come before time ( God’s perfect time though), I signed the consent form for c-section, by the time hubby came to the hospital, his babies were waiting for him already. They will be two this month by God’s grace, both bubbling and growing in grace. I have no regrets at all.

We have lost babies of sisters who said no to C-section, baby eventually died in her and she had to be opened to bring out the dead baby. At her second pregnancy, she opted for c- section without hesitation, today she is a mother of two lovely children, all doing great.

The truth is whether vaginal delivery or C-section, if God does not help you, the devil takes over. Once God is involved, He works through the medical personnel for our victory either ways. Thanks and God bless.

Story by Pastor (Mrs.) I. B.

I have had two CS for different reasons and the experiences were different.

For my first boy, I had a seamless pregnancy, no issue of any kind. In fact baby was in breech position few weeks to delivery, we shared with our Pastors, and by delivery, baby was in the right position. Contractions started and all of a sudden, after baby had crowned, contraction ceased. The doctors waited, nothing happened. My husband was invited and when he came in, his face had dropped, I was not scared and I just assured him all will be well.

I felt the surgical knife tear my skin before the anesthesia took its toll on me, hours later I was glad to meet my sweetie- Moyinoluwa. He is well over five today,(and it is not written  on his forehead, born through CS ,lol).Well, the healing process was longer cos  I had gone through stress before the operation.

“When all a mother wants, is to see the little bun that had baked for months, the little miracle she has nursed within her for months and the little one she had made many sacrifices for; discomfort is the last thing she wants to hear stops her as she knows what discomfort is. She becomes like one who has no pain.” ~ Phebe (Reju) Olaniran

For my second boy, it was a case of placenta previa type III frank, as in total coverage. It would take a special miracle for the boy to pass through the placenta alive, but it was enough miracle that I wasn’t bleeding. The doctors kept asking if I was bleeding, and that was unbelievable to them. By the 37th week, elective CS was conducted, I slept over at the hospital, by around 5.30am I walked into the theatre, by few minutes to 11am, I was conscious and met my second miracle, energetic as only God can describe.

For my second CS, healing was quite fast, by evening I was sitting up,by the next day, I walked to the reception by myself and got fresh air outside.

My second CS burst these myths:

1) That first day, I was back to taking usual meals, cos doctor said he didn’t touch my intestines. Wow!

Please follow your Doctor’s advice.

2) He also said after the plaster was removed, I could have my bath normally (as against body cleaning with towel in the first experience),by the third day, we were back home. It’s so good to pour water and allow  the pores enjoy air.

I am alive by God’s grace to share this testimony, the boys are doing well, the dad is fine.

CS is a gift from God,

Medical  science is a gift from God.

God was the first surgeon, choose life.

All lives doesn’t need to end at childbirth, destinies are tied to you. Your baby deserve life, give him/her the opportunity. Make a wise decision.

Guess what, my tummy is so flat,cos I did hot water massage o,against public opinion.

Today, my son has given me the opportunity to be a blessing to other mothers and fathers sharing my parenting journey on Healthy Awesome Cool Kids Facebook Group: from recipe tips to weaning, caring and nurturing them for life.

Thanks Mrs O for raising this banner and what you are doing through Beautiful Life Corner.

Story by Mrs. B. Olupona

Picture credit: Google.

“A baby born to the world is not defined by how he/she gets here. God’s gift and plans for each child doesn’t change by how they were born. They remain so, waiting to be discovered.” ~ Phebe (Reju) Olaniran

23 years ago on the 16th April 1995, I lost a precious baby girl because a certain doctor had been careless with her delivery. Instead of taking me in for a CS, he had gone off to pray at a crusade so another doctor, a cousin to my hubby who had been informed by my mother-in-law rushed in to operate on me (in this other doctor’s theatre). It was too late. I had been left for too long.

A year later, I had my son. Because I’d had a previous CS only the year before, my new doctor was unwilling to take chances the previous doctor had taken, so we decided it’d be an elective one. I was petrified, I thought in my head that I was determining the day of my son’s birth and that was God’s job not mine. God spoke to my heart “do you want to see this baby or not Kemisola? I am the one who works wonders through the doctors, I created their hands to work through mine the Master Crafter, so be still and know that I am God”. That WAS IT! He was aware, He knew my frame and my frame of mind and He loved me enough to choose my son’s way of delivery. Ireoluwa was born! A beautiful and healthy baby.

Three and a half years later, my second son Anuoluwa came via CS. He weighed a wonderful 4.8kg at birth! Tell me how easy it would’ve been to push out a big baby like that eh?

Let us thank God for His creative ways he has put in us, in our doctors. I have known women lose their lives because either they or partners will not sign to have a CS done and for what?

I’ve had to shorten my story but I leave you with 2 scriptures I held on to dearest sisters…

Psalm 9:10 “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you”.

2 Corinthians 1:9 “We felt we were doomed to die and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us, for he can even raise the dead”.

I have 2 beautiful young men today because I allowed God to take over. Remain strong. He wants the best for you and your baby

Story by Mrs. Kemisola A.

“Every child born into the world is a new thought of God, an ever-fresh and radiant possibility.” ~ Kate Douglas Wiggin

February 21 2007, between the hours of 10.00pm to 11.00pm, labour signs started. We were just about 10 months old then in marriage, I was a Corper with NYSC and my wife just graduated and was awaiting her “call up”, that tells you how young we were. We got to the hospital and for the next 18-20 hrs she was in the labour ward. I could feel the pains my self. In the course of our wait and pain, a lady walked in made some consultations and confirmations and within the hour she was brought out of the theatre safe with her baby.

She had booked a C-section earlier and here we were my young wife still in pains. I prayed, walked around the mediplex, drove around town to calm my nerves alas came back and my wife was still in pains. Almost 24 hrs later, the baby was weak and my wife was unable to pull through. We were advised then to have a C-section by the medical team and I was like… – “Someone walked in a while ago and she has her baby already.” So I signed necessary documents and before we knew it, here comes the most beautiful girls in my life – My wife and daughter.

God I so loved my wife and of course my baby girl. To God be the glory. My pain – if we knew better she wouldn’t have ventured sure pain for so long when of course we would have just walked in do a c-section and everyone goes home happy. My take on this, a C-Section is not a sin. God has given wisdom in various capacities if my clients trust me to deliver on my job and career, Doctors should be trusted too.

Story by Mr. K. Ogar

Picture credit: Google

When I got married I had 2 miscarriages one at 4 months, the other at 5. My husband and I thought nothing of it. Later on, I felt I was pregnant again but all my pregnancy test, even the blood test come back negative.

After all test were done here and there, I was told I should have my womb cleaned; that it might be residue from the miscarriage and all but we knew that I was expecting as I could feel the baby move. I was then diagnosed with high testosterone which means even if I am pregnant, it will either be a hairy baby, an hermaphrodite or if it is a girl, she might have male boobs. Meanwhile I had no monthly periods at all so really nothing could be tracked or traced. After all these I insisted I wanted another urine and blood test done after 10 months.

God did manifest himself and I tested positive. I was taken for scan again and this time baby showed which never happened before. Amidst all these, there was an underlying health issue that needed to be dealt with which was not known at the time from when I tested positive to the delivery date which was 2 to 3 weeks. I was induced and over dosed on the IV and injections 3 times for 3 days and no baby. Later, we discovered I was just 2 cm dilated and I had a very tight pelvic so I have to go emergency cesarean section. On arrival at the theater, my surgeon said; “thank your God you did not go vaginally, you would either die or the tear would need a reconstructive surgery that might never be normal.”

“Conception is a blessed event. 
Fertilization is divine intervention.
The development of embryo is a miraculous encounter. 
The birth of a child is supernatural spiritual event.”
~ Lailah Gifty Akita

Exactly 13 months after, I was swollen and in pain. I was rushed to hospital and the history of my daughter’s birth came up. I was now diagnosed with lupus sle fibromyalgia, of which as at that time I was actually flared up. One of the doctors said if you have given birth vaginally, you would never be yourself again or you would have had mental health problem due to the pushing and all other things. (This was 12 years ago) I was meant to be in the hospital, bed ridden and all sorts but one thing in all God was actively involved because, He made sure I did not go the vaginal birth route for greater reasons that were confirmed by the doctors and surgeons.

I was unable to birth vaginally due to the baby being in distress already after 3 days of hard labor. So Who says caesarean section is evil or you being cut is not for a born again child of God. That is a big fat lie as a lot of Health issues can be triggered actually with vaginal birth. After these ordeals, I’m sharing deeply for you to know all about illnesses and child bearing so people should become wise especially women. They should stop dying from child bearing when they have an option. Some people have been told they can’t have vaginal birth due to XYZ. If you have to birth via caesarean section, it does not make you less a caring mother or less affectionate towards you children.

Some people called me lazy that I don’t want to go natural, that I took the easy way out and all but I am not bothered at all as in all, myself and baby been healthy is priority. It’s even more difficult as the wound will have to heal.

Story by Mrs B. Ademola-James

Picture credit: Google

Childbirth is more admirable than conquest, more amazing than self-defense, and as courageous as either one. ~ Gloria Steinem

If not for God who is on my side, my story would have been different. My labor started on the 6th January midnight. I drove to the hospital, all the necessities were done and I was waiting for the push signal. I labored till the 8th of January 2011. In my case, rather than my cervix dilating from 2cm it was closing up, baby was getting distressed and the pain was too much that I was practically calling the doctor to open me up. When I finally heard I should prepare for CS I was extremely happy!!! In less than two hours I opened my eyes and asked for my bundle of joy and he was so white like an angel. I held him in my hands!!!

My second CS was elective, an recommended by the doctors due to previous scar(CS) and a big baby in my womb 3.9kg at 36 weeks. They knew that if they had to wait for the forty weeks baby will get too big and a threat to deliver him mainly because of a previous scar (a very big risk).  Hence, I was booked, I drove myself to the hospital, checked in and waited for my baby to be brought to me.

Mummy alive, babies alive!!!

That’s all that matters!!!

#notoCSstigmatization

Story by Mrs. Mojola Mufutau

Many times the idea and concept of birthing in the theatre as against the delivery room has been termed lazy, called an abomination, not birthing like the Hebrew women and worse of all a sin.

The African culture is one where it is believed that a woman should give birth all by herself without any intervention. This cultural belief has silently crept into the church and now you have the stigmatization being openly expressed and even have Pastors not consenting to such and having innocent lives lost in the process.

So many women have ended up in the here after and left many men widowers and children motherless. So many mothers have lost children they have carried for 9month or have these innocent children born with one or more preventable medical condition.

You may ask, why this awareness, why now? And what’s the goal?

• WHY? To enlighten and put to death the ignorance been transferred from generations to generations that has caused many, one loss or another. To see many women who can’t birth via their vagina see caesarean section as an option and a choice.
• WHY NOW? The increasing rate of maternal death at childbirth especially among Bible believing christians is too high.
• GOAL. To enlighten, convince and encourage AT LEAST ONE woman, that having her baby via caesarean section is NOT a sin.

I have gotten some women who have gone this route tell us at Beautiful Life Corner their stories, some of whom are Pastors. These stories would be published every day till the end of February.

A very BIG thank you to these awesome women. Your stories are phenomenal and I am so excited for those beautiful miracles you have given the world in such a supernatural way.

Please as you go on to read these stories shortly, I ask that you do me one little Favour – share to your contacts and friends. Let them feel free to re-share. While this is just the beginning of this awareness, we look forward to many beautiful miracles birthed the supernatural way and many lives (mother and child) saved.

To read up our first story in this series, click here.

Thanks you and God’s blessings.