Mrs. Hajara Yusuf, who has rejected family planning since her first child, continued this practice until her 14th pregnancy, resulting in the loss of her womb and an unborn child.
By Godwin Luka
Many women in Sokoto State avoid family planning not due to ignorance but because their husbands oppose it, leaving them unable to disobey. This cultural dynamic often results in large families.
Speaking to Malama Hajara Yusuf, a mother of many, she explained why she rejected family planning: her husband never believed in it.
“My husband didn’t believe in family planning. He always said it’s forbidden in our religion, Islam, and he always wanted many children around him,” she stated.
“When I got pregnant the first time, it was new and sweet because a child is a blessing to a newlywed couple. It was like that until the fourteenth time.”
“I gave birth to thirteen children, and now I have a damaged womb because having so many children caused harm to it.”
“Health practitioners advised me during my thirteenth pregnancy that if I got pregnant again, I might die. When I told my husband, he didn’t respond.”
“When I had my fourteenth delivery, I felt like I was going to die. I actually thought I was dead because my womb wasn’t strong enough. It was so weak that I struggled to give birth to my last child.”
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Miss Sumayya Yusuf, the daughter of Hajara Yusuf, described how she feels about being born into a large family:
“I’m the ninth child in the family. My father said having a large family has many advantages because, as the children grow up, they tend to help their parents in old age.”
Mr. Abdullahi Yusuf, Mrs. Hajara Yusuf’s son, expressed his contentment with being part of a large family:
“I don’t have any problems with my father having many children. We eat three meals a day and don’t lack anything at home.”
Malama Hajara Yusuf explained that she is fine despite losing her womb. If she hadn’t lost it, she would have had more children.
“I am fine, I only lost my womb and can’t conceive again. I lost it when I lost my fourteenth child because my womb was damaged and it almost took my life.”
“I’m thankful to Almighty Allah for sparing my life to take care of my children. My prayer is to see them grow up, get married, and give me many grandchildren,” she said.
Dr. Mohammad Aliyu, from Kofar Kade Primary Health Center in Sokoto State, emphasized that husbands should allow their wives to use family planning. This helps them afford school fees for all their children and take their children’s health seriously.
“Every parent should take responsibility for all their children, not just send some to school while others stay home due to a lack of money for fees,” he advised.
Regarding health, parents should understand the need to have money set aside for emergencies if a child falls sick.
