It all started when I saw the level of antenatal and postnatal care given to women in my locality. Though the care was up to standard, based on the supplies provided by the government, I thought that the care could be improved whether or not the government provides adequate supplies. The rise of postnatal sepsis was obvious and mothers are not properly health educated antenatally on their needs, dos' and don'ts.
When my aunt died during childbirth, it crowned it all and out a new zeal in my mind to study midwifery. Though I did not know how to go about it, I made my research, and with the help of my family, i got admission into a school of midwifery Abiriba, Abia state, Nigeria.
Thinking I have landed into my dreams, I decided to relax for a while. This did not last long as we were told by the school authorities that the school do not know us yet. Our names were written with a pencil which could be erased based on our physical, intellectual and emotional maturity. We were told that the school shuffles students every six months after writing an exams known as the Preliminary Training School (PTS) exams. After the exams, of the 87 students that gain admission, 50 will continue while 37 will have to withdraw irrespective of the amount they paid for school fees and other fees. The principal and lecturers turned to me and told me directly: Daniel, do not feel like you have a greater opportunity because you are the course representative. We will disqualify you if you mess up.
Upon hearing this, my heart shifted from my thoracic to my abdominal cavity and could hear it beating clearly. All I could say faintly was okay ma.
I could not do anything because of the tension. The adrenaline rush was neither for fight nor flight but it was for survival in humility because fighting will get me expelled and flighting is not an option.
I do not know how, but I swallowed all the tension, and tried as much as possible to be among the 50 students that will have their names written with a pen in the schools record book.
My principal was not helping matters as she made me her right hand man. I had to run errands morning, afternoon and night. I did not had any time for my self neither do I have any time for my books. Since I did not run mad during that time, I do not think there is any environmental factors that can make me run mad. I had to run away from the sight of the principal and started putting my phone off.
The day of the PTS exams came and I wrote very well. I passed the exams without having a resit, carryover of any sought neither did I had any flaw.
When the first robe was placed on my shoulder by the Director of Nursing Service Abia state,during the day of my capping
Sadly, some of my friends did not make it which made me really sad. I could not even smile during the time of my capping (matriculation) because I was constantly thinking about them.
During my capping ceremony. My principal is the one at the left.
After the capping, I relaxed a little but not totally because the school authority still came to address us and told us that every six months, there is a semester exams, followed by a promotional exams to the next level. Failure of these exams means demotion by 6 months. I got home, looked my self in the mirror and asked my self, Daniel, what did you get yourself into? The fees were too much, every day, I had to read tirelessly and fight the emotional blockage just to pass exams. If caught doing an exam malpractice, it will mean automatic demotion. I can not fight anyone even if they poke my eyes out. I am expected to make peace and apologize for getting my eyes poked. This was what my school wanted from me as a midwife. The rules were very strict and I had to cry out loud. I wiped them tears, reminded myself of my goals and the reason behind me being there, so I got motivated to continue.
Me and some of my coursemates.
Like a limping lion, I managed, I passed through many obstacles that I faced, students being ingrates, lecturers always complaining of he stubbornness of my course mates, principal always giving out punishment and threats to us and many other things. I limped my way through. I lost more of my course mates, we were 6 males but 3 were demoted, 6 females were also demoted. Being the leader, it hurt me a lot but I tried my best to mask it so I will not look weak in presence of my people.
After three years of training and practicing, the final exams called council exams came. Out of 50 students, 41 were eligible for the exams, me included. We went into the hall, wrote and came out. Some were complaining about the exams because what we read did not come out. The questions that came out from what we read was not up to 20 out of 250 obj questions. The questions were McQ questions where you must select the best approach to a situation. For example, question 1: in an asphyxiated baby, which of the step is the first to do? A. Clear airway. B. Provide warmth. C. Administer oxygen D. Check APGAR score.
A midwife is supposed to do these, but they were asking the best and first to do. If not carefully answered, a person can actually pick the wrong question and fail.
Well, I had to reassure my coursemates, motivate them for the next two papers, viva and OSCE which worked.
The exams finished and we faced another problem, waiting for the results. This was the hardest phase of writing the exams because the tension was real. It was difficult to eat or do anything because we all were scared. What if I failed? Does that mean that the three years I spent preparing for the exams is vanity? Will I repeat 6 months just to write this exams again? Everyone was tensed.
The day reached for us to check results and we hurried back to school.
Principal started calling the results from her laptop. The tension increased when my coursemates go in, check and see that they passed. I was almost melting but damn, I am a leader, said my subconscious. I tackled that saying and respond to myself, there is no leadership in failure.
The tension grew until it came to my turn. I checked and saw that I too passed. Funny enough, I did not retaliate to the news with happiness, I was as calm as an ice and went out. People who saw me calm thought I failed but only God knows that I was just trying to contend my happiness so it will not explode the school. I went into the class and shouted a big yessssssssssssssss, while holding my fist like somebody that scored a goal. My course mates ran to me and were very happy.
Immediately, they collected a white board marker and designed my uniform with their signature. It was a very sweet moment.
Sadly enough, three persons failed the exams. One is a repeater who has written two times and failed and is writing the last chance which will lead to elimination if failed. Two people that failed were my course mates. I did not know if I should cry or laugh but I had to reassure them, clam them down and tried to make them happy which somehow worked at that time.
I went home happy, refreshed and rested. Night came and I called my coursemates who told me that they were in a place having fun. I don't want to be left out, so I headed there immediately.
We had fun, celebrated and that ended my three years journey. Thankfully, I had no resit and carryover throughout my stay in the school.
It has been God all through and God did it for me. I am now a Midwife, Midwife Nwothini335 😊.
Thank you for reading ☺️
All images belongs to me.