Hello Hive.

We learnt how mother Mary took the Child Jesus to the altar on the 8day for dedication and circumcision, this is a very important tradition in Christianity that my late mother takes so dearly and has hence passed to my sister.

The period from conception to birth of a child is usually very challenging one and to me taking a child to the altar is a means of appreciation to God for seeing both mother and child through that trying stage.

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Although nursing mothers here do not dedicate their babies until they are 3months of age and are ready to come out from been home all day to commence the activities of their daily lives.

Maryam is the second married daughter of my mother and after getting married last year, she has successfully brought forth her first seed, a man child.
I was with her through out the period, following and taking her to the hospital, rendering all the assistance needed.

There was so much to learn about pregnancy and I witnessed all the transformations she went through, taking pictures at some stages.

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These were the several hospital visit and especially the times when he had a very high blood pressure and edema, they were the signs of preeclapsia an emergency situation during pregnancy , the last major sypmtom expected was a high blood protein, a combination of this three is very dangerous for mothers in labour.

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Then come the delivery day when some complications arose and the baby wasn't properly situated in the womb for easy delivery.

It was totally a depressing moment to watch my sister labour for 3days before a Caesarian section was carried out on the fourth night..

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Everyday we watch the baby grow and the mother heal from the operation.
Watching the baby develop in stages wasn't a child's play
Then was the period when breast milk wasn't enough and we went hunting for artificial milk that helped feed the baby until the time we found solution to the measure of breast milk that could feed the baby.
Now he is three months old and we are planning on trying soya formulations and millet drinks for him.

The naval had some infections and different issues with infant, then come the day of circumcision that was carried out at about two month of his life.
Although we had him named after 7days of birth, his name is Emmanuel and other traditional names according to our tribe.

Naming ceremony

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Wedding Day

As at this day we took him to the altar with a heart full of grace that he is fine and doing well.

This journey is not an easy one but the joy of motherhood still surpass all the challenges that women face daily and they are more than happy to bear children.

With much love and respect for women and expectant mothers, I wish us all more joy and happiness.