One of the early responses I received in reaction to last week topic: “DNA: Innocent Moms on Trial” was from a federal university lecturer who shared her own experience with me. She said her late mother told her how she (mom) almost lost her as a baby to a total stranger either through deliberate or mistake of mixed up of babies by nurses at maternity ward. It wasn’t a funny experience at all as she recounted the event that happened over 40 years ago at a state hospital. Read her account:
“Oga Mike, after reading your article early this morning, it reminds me of my own personal story which my late mom told me. According to her, when she had me, another baby was given to her. Trust my mom, she had observed her baby closely before the baby was taken for dressing. By the time her ‘baby’ was given to her, she noticed that the baby was dark and not fine. She rejected the baby and caused a stir at the State General Hospital. The entire hospital was in confusion.
“The doctors and nurses were in total disarray. My mom told the bewildered doctors that she could recognize her baby if she sighted her. Thus, she was conducted round the maternity ward examining each baby until she found me with an Ibo woman who was breastfeeding me at the time she identified me. It is true that babies don’t really alike.
“My dad came in at the time they were still debating whether my mom’s claim was genuine or not. All the body features of my dad that I shared were evidently convincing beyond doubt. Even the Ibo couldn’t agree less. That was how the doctors released me to my biological mother and they apologized for the mix-up. I’m not sure DNA test was popular then. If not for undeniable and striking resemblance of my dad, maybe I would be an Nkechi somewhere in Anambra or Imo State by now.”
However, like some other commentators, she suggested that the man or any member of the family should be allowed into the labour room for the purposes of close monitoring of the baby from delivery through cleaning or bathing the baby to laying inside the cot beside the mother.
Also, since DNA test can be done with the mother to ascertain if she’s truly the biological mom of the child or children in contention, the outcome will naturally proof the innocence of any woman whose child’s DNA result with the ‘dad’ is negative. If this has been done in all the cases where the woman had sworn that she’s innocent, searchlight would have since been beamed on other possibilities like swapping of children in maternity wards by compromised nurses and doctors.
I read about a man currently in pain when DNA reports confirmed that it is only the daughter that is truly his biological child as the two other children, boys, now married and gainfully engaged in their areas of specialization, are not his. Unfortunately, his late wife had confessed to having one for their Benue State born houseboy and the other for his closest friend. He’s in a quandary now as to what to do especially with the final copy of his will.
A Nigerian mother who had her first child in a South African hospital narrated how she narrowly escaped her baby being swapped. According to her, “I left my baby in the cot to visit the restroom only to be scolded by a Nigerian woman whose bed was beside mine when I returned. She had foiled attempts to ‘steal’ my baby. She became angry with me for leaving my baby behind to go to toilet as there were more than two attempts to take the baby away. She resisted them.
“Here in South Africa, they steal babies in a jiffy without trace. When you make so much noise, they will make futile efforts at searching at the end of which another baby will be given to you in replacement. Meanwhile, South African women and nurses had been coming one after the other admiring my baby for looking “cute and beautiful.” He weighed 3.8 pounds. While an average Nigerian baby weighs minimum of 2.5 pounds and above, theirs weigh between 1.5 and 2.0 pounds on the average.
“The woman then ordered me to leave since I had a safe delivery without any complication. That was how I discharged myself and returned to Nigeria two weeks after,” she explained.
Re – DNA: Innocent Moms on Trial
I think government can fashion out a legislation to reform the labour room and its management. Seemingly, the next of kin or family member of those going into the labour room be allowed to witness the delivery of their baby as a mean to avoid this ugly case of child swapping. – 08165280822
What a touching, sad but an eye opener subject. Sir, is there any law preventing the husband from monitoring the birth process in the hospital like it is allowed in church maternity homes? I will recommend this article as a bill to the National Assembly for adoption as an instrument towards finding legal framework to authorize the man or a family member to witness the process of child delivery. Thanks. – 08034978414
Couples that had fallen victim of this wicked practices should please forgive themselves especially those who shared trust and faith in each other before DNA results caused their separation. ‘Sorry’ sometimes could heal the hurt of a wounded heart of an innocent woman. Thank you sir for this revealing article. – Pastor Sesan Adediran, Lagos
Nice write-up, sir. The Zambian matron is trying to be smart. After ruining many lives and destroying homes of many in the name of fun, she is now asking for forgiveness because of her condition. It’s well. – 08065640453
This terrible woman (Zambian nurse) should be prosecuted still – Prof. A. Akinpelu, Lagos
This indeed is an ordeal for those involved. I totally agree with your submissions in handling this type of issues, preventing reoccurrence and punishment for same. – 08053848721
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